Relax and be entertained! The English Riviera is a place to relax, to soak up the atmosphere, to take in the scenery, the parks and the gardens and to enjoy the experience of a holiday in a classical English seaside resort, at all times of the year. Sporting opportunities abound, and there is a complete range of accommodation to suit every taste and budget. A rich variety of evening entertainment is provided throughout the Bay, all year round.

The Gardens The English Riviera is rightly famous for its floral displays, which adorn most public areas with an ever-changing array of colour for most of the year. For gardening enthusiasts there are over 2,000 acres of public gardens to enjoy. From promenade flowerbeds to country parks, the diversity and beauty of the plant life here will amaze you.

The English Riviera has an amazing range of attractions to keep all children amused and entertained for days. Visit Britain's biggest, wildest and wettest waterpark at Quaywest. Ride Go-Karts or Quad Bikes, or take a trip on the Steam Railway. Or take a step even further back in time with a visit to Kent's Cavern, by far the Riviera's oldest attraction dating back 2 million years. Spend a day at Paignton Zoo and meet the animals (and Keepers) made famous by the BBC's 'Zookeepers' series. Or take a walk around the Model Village at Babbacombe, an enchanting recreation of towns, villages and gardens, travelling there on the open-top vintage Model Village bus

PAIGNTON

Paignton is unbeatable for family fun. Colourful gardens, glittering illuminations and a host of special activities make the resort great fun for visitors of all ages.

Paignton has a long sweeping seafront, a harbour and a wide open area known as Paignton Green. Further inland, the town area has a lively centre with nice shops.

TORQUAY

Today, white villas, superb coastal scenery, excellent beaches and "sub tropical" gardens sit alongside new developments such as Torquay Marina and the Riviera Centre.

In the last century, Torquay was internationally renowned as a fashionable haven for the rich and famous. No one was more famous than Agatha Christie who was born here in 1890 and referred to many places in this area in her best selling books.

Torquay is Devon premier resort with a sophisticated charm that attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. Torquay is surrounded by some first class attractions including Cockington Village, Babbacombe Model Village, Bygones Museum, Babbacombe Cliff Railway and on a rainy day go underground to Kents Cavern, a well-interpreted, important ancient site.

Torre Abbey in the centre of Torquay now houses the municipal art gallery and a museum with a special focus on the town's most famous citizen Agatha Christie.

To the west is the picturesque village of Cockington

Torquay's origins as a holiday resort date back to Victorian times when it was a fashionable destination for the English aristocracy. Today the legacy remains with clean white villas, beautiful gardens and elegant buildings. Its elegant Victorian terraces, white villas and famous seven hills provide the backdrop to popular modern facilities and a busy shopping centre.

Torquay's waterfront is the focus of life in the town. Here you'll find the palm-lined promenade, seafront gardens, a lively harbour and an international marina. Yet within minutes of the town centre there are beautiful beaches easily accessible by foot, road or water.

There is an abundance of pavement cafes, pubs, restaurants and nightlife, good quality shops and a host of family.

Maidencombe has a sheltered sandy beach with the added attraction of a lovely old thatched inn. There are interesting walks along the coastal path, or inland through beautiful countryside to the villages around the Teign Estuary. This is an ancient settlement, first recorded in the Doomsday Book of 1086. The area was once infamous for the activities of smugglers, but these days it is simply a delightfully peaceful place to relax, convenient for visits to the English Riviera resorts, and within easy distance of Teignmouth and all of the South Devon attractions.

BRIXHAM

Brixham is a picturesque fishing town set into the cliffs at the southern end of Torbay. Life here revolves around the busy harbour where the daily catch is unloaded and pleasure boats operate tours of the surrounding coast.
You cannot fail to miss the stalls selling freshly caught seafood and restaurants and pubs serving fresh fish prepared to traditional recipes. 

There is always a strong sense of the past in Brixham. Surrounding Brixham are stunning cliff top walks and sheltered beaches and coves.

For nature lovers, Berry Head Country Park is close at hand with its vast colonies of seabirds and stunning views.

Brixham Harbour is located on the southern aspect of Tor Bay and boasts one of the largest fishing fleets in the UK with nearly 150 vessels, plus a thriving fish market to support it.

Brixham personifies the classic Devon fishing port, mixing tradition with a modern commercial interest. There is currently a huge regeneration project being considered for the future of the harbour, involving the building of a Northern Arm, the reclamation of land on which to build and a review of transport access to the town.

TOTNES

6 miles inland from Paignton is Totnes
(2nd Oldest town in England)

A town which is the second oldest borough in England with Norman, Medieval and Tudor buildings, museums, an ancient Guildhall and Church, a Norman Castle and the North and East Gate.

Browse amongst the delightful shops for arts, crafts and unusual gifts and wander around one of the markets on Fridays, Saturdays and summer Tuesdays.

Take a boat trip along the stunning River Dart to the lovely town of Dartmouth, or a steam train ride to Buckfastleigh, to visit the Butterfly Farm and Otter Sanctuary and famous Buckfast Abbey.

A superb motte and bailey castle, with splendid views across the rooftops and down to the River Dart - a fine example of Norman fortification. Built at the very heart of a Saxon town, the once great surrounding ditch is today filled with cottages and gardens. - Family Discovery Pack available.

DARTMOUTH

Dartmouth on the River Dart
only 9 miles from Paignton

Dartmouth is in an area of unspoilt natural beauty, surrounded by tranquil countryside with high rounded hills and steep sided valleys, lush with vegetation.

The nearby spectacular coast line offers superb cliff walks to may isolated coves and excellent beaches. Or explore the twisting country lanes and visit the many picturesque villages close by.

Situated at the mouth of the River Dart, the towns greatest asset is its deep water harbour with its mariners and sailing facilities. For over 900 years sailors have set out for different parts of the world either on trading ventures, or to go to war , or to settle in new lands.The river provides a fascinating and continually changing panorama of activity with fishing boats, ferries, yachts, coaster and on occasions, frigates and submarines visiting the Britannia Royal Naval College.

Walk into the narrow streets with the long flights of steep steps old quays and the overhanging medieval houses, then you can easily imagine yourself back in the old days of wooden sailing ships and press gangs collecting new recruits from the ale houses.


About 10 million people visits each year. The public is able to roam freely on unenclosed, open moorland on both foot and horseback.

There are also about 600 miles of public rights of way. Dartmoor is a rich habitat for wildlife and has a wealth of archaeological remain.

Enjoy the freedom and fresh air of unspoilt countryside and spectacular scenery.

Meander through Dartmoor's ancient villages which still move at the pace of times gone by or discover tree lined valleys where sparkling streams tumble towards the coast.

For those who enjoy outdoor activities Dartmoor is the perfect place to visit. There are a wide range of options for walking, cycling, riding, fishing, golf and much more besides - and to suit all ages and abilities.

DARTMOOR NATIONAL PARK

Dartmoor National Park
only 18 miles from Paignton Seafront

21 MILES FROM TORQUAY

Dartmoor was designated one of the National Parks of England and Wales in 1951. It is a beautiful moorland landscape with wooded valleys and wind swept Tors.

About 10 million people visits each year. The public is able to roam freely on unenclosed, open moorland on both foot and horseback.

There are also about 600 miles of public rights of way. Dartmoor is a rich habitat for wildlife and has a wealth of archaeological remain.

Enjoy the freedom and fresh air of unspoilt countryside and spectacular scenery.

Meander through Dartmoor's ancient villages which still move at the pace of times gone by or discover tree lined valleys where sparkling streams tumble towards the coast.

For those who enjoy outdoor activities Dartmoor is the perfect place to visit. There are a wide range of options for walking, cycling, riding, fishing, golf and much more besides - and to suit all ages and abilities.

Whether you enjoy outdoor activities, gazing at inspiring dramatic scenery, or relaxing in high quality accommodation … discover Dartmoor.

EXETER

21 miles from Torquay is the city of Exeter

Devon's maIn town, Exeter, is a thriving university city boasting one of England's loveliest cathedrals. Dating from the 12th to the 15th centuries

Exeter Cathedral is renowned for its uninterrupted vaulted roof, which stretches for 100 metres (300 feet). In the serene cathedral close are shops and houses dating from the 15th century, with more fine old buildings on and around the high street.

One of the most interesting is the Guildhall, built in 1330.

The recently gentrified Exeter Quay features restored 19th-century canalside warehouses.

Also here is the Maritime Museum, home to a first-class collection of boats from all over the world. Worth a visit, too, are the Priory of St Nicholas, which has Norman origins; the Underground Passages walk; and the Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery.