Sports & Leisure

Devon’s beautiful English Riviera with its popular resort towns of Torquay, Paignton and Brixham has quite a renowned microclimate and a very sheltered Bay, great for all types of outdoor sports and leisure. 

Swimming

The beautiful English Riviera is paradise to the swimmer with wild swimming popular here.  Not only does it have a superb coastline and beautiful beaches but there are also lots of stylish swimming pools from the elegant to the familytastic.  Don't miss one of Britain's very coolest pools, Shoalstone Outdoor Pool and Lido in Brixham. It's  a 53-metre seawater swimming pool situated in a stunning position on Brixham sea front, one of only a few left in the country (seasonal).  Waves Leisure Pool is a wonderfully family-friendly pool in Torquay for year-round fun.  Torbay Leisure Centre in Paignton has a 33ft pool plus other activities such as gym and sports. Many of the larger hotels around the Bay offer day passes to non-residents to their pool and spa facilities and Splashdown Quaywest in Paignton not only has waterslides but a 20-metre long swimming pool. Admiral Swimming Pool is a 25ft public swimming pool in Brixham.

Cycling

Devon’s beautiful English Riviera makes a great base for cycling.  Torbay Velopark is a 1.5 km closed circuit in Paignton suitable for the whole family and there are plenty of cycle-friendly routes across the resort. Plus, the more adventurous cyclist will be able to head right along the coast and further inland with nearby Haldon Forest and Dartmoor providing excellent off-road cycling.  There’s also a BMX track in Paignton.

Tennis

Torquay Tennis Club has superb facilities, was home to a number of former tennis greats and host one of the country’s leading tennis tournaments the Torbay Open, which started in 1887. There are 5 brand new artificial clay courts, 4 artificial grass courts and 3 indoor courts plus a friendly and attractive clubhouse with food and drinks on offer. Non-members are welcome to hire either the outdoor or the indoor courts and can also join Pay and Play coaching sessions held throughout the year.

Cary Park Tennis Club in Babbacombe is a friendly community-based club open all year with 6 all-weather hardcourts; non-members are welcome to hire courts. There are also courts to hire in Torre Abbey Leisure Park in Torquay (10 courts), St Mary’s Park in Brixham (4 free courts open all year), Upton Park in Torquay (1 free court, open all year) and Victoria Park in Paignton (2 free courts, open all year).

Ten Pin Bowling

AMF Bowling in Torquay has a brilliant Ten Pin Bowling Centre with 21 lanes, amusements and food and drink on offer. 

Football

Torquay United Football Club is located at Plainmoor in Torquay.  They are known as the Gulls and heading to a match here is a real treat for the whole family. 

Sailing

Beautiful Torbay is a noted sailing centre and professional Royal Yachting Association (RYA) training is available at Torbay Sea School in Brixham.  Dinghy sailing, powerboating and sailing on heritage yachts is also available for visitors.

Golf

There are some wonderfully appointed and highly welcoming golf clubs on Devon’s English Riviera. Torquay Golf Club has a delightful 18-hole parkland course with stunning views over Lyme Bay.  Churston Golf Club in Brixham is also a beautiful 18-hole parkland course with amazing coastal views. There are also adventure golf courses (crazy golf) in Torquay and Paignton and a short 18-hole Cayman Golf course in Brixham.