Torquay

Torquay - Devon, at the heart of Torbay & The English Riviera

Magnificent coastline, cliffs, beaches and coves, a bustling town centre with big name high street shops and department stores, a wide range of hotels and a super fun filled seaside resort with that special Riviera climate.

Torquay has stunning views everywhere and with a real continental flavour.

The award winning attractions include beaches, theatres, cinemas, pubs, clubs, gardens, floral displays and of course accommodation.

There is a wide range of water sports on offer from the yachting marina and the harbour, providing pleasure boat trips across Torbay and deep sea fishing or you can just laze on the beach under that Riviera sunshine.

Land sports include access to local golf courses - one right by the seafront next to Torre Abbey - bowling greens, rugby, cricket and football, and of course a superb indoor swimming complex at the Riviera Centre.

Torquay Museum holds many marvellous finds of prehistoric remains found in Kent's Cavern where you will be guided underground to amazing rock formations.

In Norman times, the District of Torquay was administered for William the Conqueror by the Mohun family and, until as recently as the 19th Century, Torquay was known as Tormohun.

Torre Abbey, founded in 1196, is Torquay's oldest building and has an art collection plus the Agatha Christie memorial, for it was in Torquay she was born. The Spanish Barn nearby was where prisoners from the Spanish Armada were held in 1588.

There are botanical delights in the hothouses and gardens with marvellous rockeries and cacti collections.

Charles Kingsley (1819-75), the naturalist and author of The Water Babies, lived at Livermead.

Journey to a bygone age by visiting Cockington Village. It's only a mile from the Torquay seafront yet here is an idyllic setting with thatched cottages, acres of gardens, woodland and peaceful attractions.

Torquay has great Devon Riviera beaches:

Maidencombe Beach - sand and shingle beach, bit steep in places, good facilities and cafe.

Watcombe Beach - small, sandy beach, bit steep in places, toilets and cafe, less crowded during peak weeks.

Oddicombe Beach - excellent family beach with sand and shingle, extensive facilities - access this beach by cliff railway!

Babbacombe Beach - sheltered, sand and shingle beach with pub, access a bit steep.

Anstey's Cove - sheltered, shingle beach with rock pools, cafe and shop.

Meadfoot Beach - large and picturesque, pebbles, sand and rock pools; easy access and good facilities.

Torre Abbey Sands - Torquay's biggest, sand and shallow water, great beach for families. Good facilities, close to town and harbour, easy access.

Corbyn Sands - small, sand and shingle beach, easy access and less crowded, with quiet parkland overlooking from Corby Head.

Livermead Beach - sand and shingle, cafe, easy access, popular for waterskiing and water sports.

When you've seen and done everything in Torbay, you can explore wild Dartmoor and wander across fabulous open moorland peaked with rocky tors and streaked with silvery streams - Devon countryside at its remote best, yet not far at all from the Devon Riviera coast.

Not far from Torquay: Paignton

Tell them you saw it on DevonRiviera.com!