TORQUAY

The delights of Torquay have been popular with humans for 700,000 years!!!!!!!!!! Well it did not have a sea view then...... but now.....!!!

Stunning views out over the English Channel and inland to the Tors of Dartmoor enchant visitors and locals alike.

Torquay is part of Torbay, the English Riviera, a sun trapped 22 mile stretch of coastline in Devon which also includes Paignton and Brixham.

Set among seven green hills, hotels with wonderful views, nine beautiful and popular beaches, promenades lined with palms, pavement cafes, boutique shops, marinas, wine bars, restaurants, theatre – a resort of perhaps international discernment, certainly cosmopolitan.

There is not much you can't do in and around the area - superb beaches, boating, fishing, walking, cycling, bird watching, golf, touring, museums!

Multicoloured lights of the seafront reflect joyously into the night darkened waters. Walks along the promenade in the warm evening. Stop for a drink, or a meal in a bistro. Soak up the night life.

A mecca for sailing enthusiasts. It was the site for the 1948 Olympic sailing event. Now host to world class facilities. The future for boating in Torquay is almost limitless. The bay beyond the harbour beckons.....

Torquay has what is considered the best climate in Britain, mild, more akin to the south of France. Winters are short and kind to the soul. While there is some rain, blue skies can brighten a cold day.

No wonder the town is becoming popular with overseas visitors as it has been for United Kingdom tourists since Napoleonic times. The town has won three European Blue Flags, no other resort in the United Kingdom has done that.

Cockington Country Park and Gardens have a Green Flag.

Adult, child or elderly – there is something for everyone.

Fancy being a resident owning or renting property with a lifestyle resort like this!

And it goes on -

The town has other attractions too

It really does! So much more than sand and sea. This town has it all and a mild climate too. Have a look at all these!

Hesketh Crescent

Grade II Regency architecture right on the seafront – Bath with seaviews. It was built in 1846 Originally fifteen houses.

Access to miles of woodland paths in Lincome Woods – from the tennis courts in the grounds, left along the footpath to a stile and Lincome Woods. A delight, wandering around the woods and overlooking the bay and Meadfoot Beach.

Beacon Quay

Views across the bay!! The Quay was orignally built in 1680 and it was refurbished a few years ago. It is now Grade II listed.

From the embarkation slips of Beacon Quay soldiers of World War Two set off for the Normandy Landings in June 1944. Seating now overlooks this historic site. Did your ancestor leave from here?

Waterside world class facilities exist for boating. Cafes, restaurants.

Footbridge across the Harbour

Connects north and south piers with a stunning footbridge. Enables a walk right round the inner harbour. The eye catching bridge allows boats in and out of the inner harbour.

Hi Flyer Balloon

What a view – 400ft above the ground. Carrying 30 people in a helium filled balloon. Shutterbugs - Don't forget the camera! Whew!

Agatha Christie trail

This is a one mile gentle stroll with a difference around the harbour and main beach. Each landmark has a clue. A leaflet can be obtained at the information centre. The only hill is the one at the start. The walk is amusing and will appeal even to those who are not Agatha Christie fans. The walk can be done independently or there is a guided walk available if you want a more in depth insight.

It might be a good idea to have a coffee at the Torquay Museum first and to brush up on your Agatha Christie facts! No it's not cheating!!! Very interesting exhibit, very interesting museum.

Agatha Christie is the town's most famous person. She was the author of many mystery tales starring either Miss Marple or Hercule Poirot.

Her play “The Mousetrap” has the world record for the longest initial run of any play in the world. The West End opening production in 1952 starred husband and wife, Richard Attenborough and Sheila Sim. It ran until 16 March 2020 when the COVID pandemic stopped it. It was performed at St Martins's Theatre in London, with a different cast of course and reached around 30,000 performances. There was one member from the original cast at the end - the late Deryck Guyler's recorded reading of the news.

Agatha Christie has connections to Cockington Manor. She was friends with the Mallocks who were then owners of that Manor. When she was young Agatha often took part in amateur dramatics with the family.

Famous Connections

Some sketches of “Monty Pythons Flying Circus” were filmed in Torquay.
Torquay was the inspiration for John Cleese's “Fawlty Towers”.
Oscar Wilde's “A Woman of No Importance”
Conan Doyle wrote “Hound of the Baskerville's” in Torquay. Dartmoor was the inspiration for this eerie novel.

Famous people born in Torquay

Apart from Dame Agatha Christie, born Agatha Mary Clarissa Miller in 1890, died 1976 at Wallingford in what is now Oxfordshire, Torquay can lay claim to other famous sons and daughters.

Sir Richard Francis Burton born 1821 - died 1890 in Trieste Austria-Hungary. Famous explorer and linguist. It is said he spoke 29 languages.

Colonel Percy Harrison Fawcett 1867 – died, it is presumed, in 1925 with his son on an expedition to find an ancient lost city in Brazil. He is said to have been the inspiration for the fictional character “Indiana Jones”. Fawcett was also an archaeologist.

Peter Edward Cook born 1937 died 1995 in London. He was a satirist, writer and comedian. He and Dudley Moore were a famous comedy partnership.

Martin Turner born 1947. Bass guitarist, lead vocalist and Wishbone Ash founder.

Roger Deakins born 1949 BAFTA award winning cinematographer.

Miranda Hart born 1972, actress, writer and stand up comedian.

Babbacombe

Walk along the highest promenade in the country, part of the South West Path. Enjoy stunning sea views out over Lyme Bay and down to Oddicombe beach 240 ft below. Shops, pretty gardens, cafes and restaurants.

Access to the European Blue Flag beach of Oddicombe is steep but a fun way would be to take the cliff railway that has been operating for many years.

Babbacombe has a model village – miniature people, buildings, gardens and vehicles. Lit up after dusk – a captivating sight.

South West Path

From Brixham to Torquay, or vice versa – eight miles. Part of the 630 mile mostly Devon coastal path, from Minehead to Poole. Britain's longest trail. Flora and fauna, spectacular sea views from the headlands. Picnic spots. Dogs are allowed, but some of the beaches ban them in the summer.

Coral Coastal Walk

From Anstey's Cove to Black Head, Black Head to Brandy Cove, Brandy Cove to Hope Cove and then out to Hope's Nose. From there back inland again and down to Thatcher. From Thatcher round to the end of Marine Drive and along the coast. Up alongside Iilsham Valley to Kents Cavern.

Superb sea views and wooded valleys.

Other Pages that will be of Interest

Torbay is a wonderful area for a holiday, the town makes an excellent base. Read on for some great ideas and other interesting pages!

Kent's Cavern

Kent's Cavern is a prehistoric cave where humans lived  thousands of years ago.  Great visit, take a tour to see their lifestyle. Kent's Cavern is also a Visitor Gateway to the English Riviera Global Geopark and find out about the landsape they lived in. Great views. Combine the two incredible attractions for a most interesting day.

Torre Abbey

Torbay's most historic building. It is Grade I listed and a Scheduled Ancient Monument.

It was founded as an Abbey in the 1100's but these days is the Mayor's Parlour, an Art Gallery and an interesting tourist attraction with beautiful gardens. Easy to get to as it is in the centre of the town.

History of Torquay

The area is ancient in landscape and habitation.

Kent's Cavern, Torre Abbey and the English Riviera Global Geopark are nowadays testament to that.

For centuries it became an area for agricuture and fisheries.

Torquay became a fashionable seaside resort in this beautiful, kindly climate and remains that to this day.

Return from Torquay to Devon

Go to Brixham

Go to Paington

Cockington Court

Go to Torbay Geopark

History of Torquay

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