iKnow Devon
All Torquay Accommodation
Princess Pier, Torquay. Favourite haunt of Agatha Christie and her roller skates
Paignton & Dartmouth Steam Railway, family fun on the English Riviera
The Golden Hind recreation in Brixham Harbour. Famed ship of Francis Drake
Panoramic views of Babbacombe Beach from Babbacombe Downs, TorquayTorquay Tourist Information Torquay Paignton Brixham Babbacombe Devon UK
Torquay and it's sister English Riviera hotspots Brixham and Paignton are the queens of the Devon resort holiday choice. It's all here in these Devon seaside havens including a party atmosphere in Torquay, now increasingly popular as a stag and hen weekend break, theatres, amusements, great beaches, literary heritage with the Agatha Christie trail, family holiday fun in Paignton with it's many shops, a great pier and endless sandy beach with lots of amenities and a great promenade. Move to Brixham, once a small fishing village but now a delightful day trip mecca with a picture postcard harbour, lots of exquisite promenade walking and a bustling marina which hosts it's own regatta annually.
There's a selection of family holiday attractions across the region including waterparks, boat trips along the coast between Torquay and Brixham, the Living coasts attraction at Torquay, the Golden Hind recreation of Sir Francis Drake's ship at Brixham and the Paignton & Dartmouth Steam railway. Add to this all you'd expect from seaside resorts including a selection of family restaurants, ice cream shops and cafes, bargain holiday shops galore at Paignton, and a good choice of cinemas, leisure facilities and loads of B&Bs, guesthouses and holiday Devon hotels. Don't forget nearby Dawlish Warren and Teignmouth, also perfect Devon family seaside holiday hotspots and home to Dawlish's famous nature reserve.Torquay Accommodation Torquay Hotels Torquay B&Bs Guest Houses Torquay Holiday Cottages Torquay Caravan & Holiday Parks
Torquay
Torquay Devon, now firmly in the seaside holiday firmament, but with a new modern twist of amenities, the Stay and Hen parties rather like Torquay. Torquay is the main hub, often called the 'capital' of the English Riviera - this section of the South Devon Coastline also know as Torbay. The Victorian marks of this seaside resort are still there but Torquay has most certainly evolved with it's lively harbour scene, quayside shops and chic cafes and superb marina offering lots of boat trips. Torquay really started to boom after the Neopoleonic Wars, when Tor Bay's docking facilities provided the perfect setting for a large navel base. In then came the families of workers on this base, plus shortly followed by the tourists. With the coming of the railways Torquay continued to grow, becoming a popular Victorian seaside resort.
Torquay today is prime Devon seaside holiday territory, with it's blue flag English Riviera beach, elegant and lively waterfront lined with palm trees, very exotic!, cafes, restaurants and pubs. Torquay offers excellent nightlife, and is extremely popular as a stag weekend break, and hen parties! Torquay has a few celebrities to it's name as well. Agatha Christie was born, and spent much of her life in this region. Take in the Torquay flavour, and possible influences on her genius detective stories. Fawlty Towers was filmed here as well!Torquay Tourist Information
Torquay Tourist Information Centre, Vaughan Parade, Torquay, Tel: 01803 297428. Full wheelchair access, open Summer from 9.30-5.30pm (Mon-Sat), 10am-4pm (Sun). Winter from 9.30am-5pm (Mon-Sat).
Paignton
The great thing about Torbay's three main hotspots Torquay, Paignton and Brixham is that they complement other with their different focus and themes. Paignton is most definitely Devon family holiday hotspot with a choice of family entertainment including superb sandy beaches, a large waterpark, a charming steam railway featuring Thomas the Tank Engine, and a lively seafront, lots of great shops in Paignton town centre, the obligatory seaside pier and holiday parks and a range of Devon Accommodation choices.
Paignton Zoo is rather popular as well. Paignton's family holiday effect can be best described as 'mini southwest Blackpool'. It's easy on the pocket as well, cheap, cheerful good family seaside holiday fun with lots going on. They have Paignton Illuminations as well! And check out Quay West Waterpark near Paignton at Goodrington Sands for superb Devon family holiday fun!Paignton Tourist Information
Paignton Tourist Information Centre, Esplanade Road, Paignton, TQ4 6ED. Wheelchair access. Open in the Summer from 9.30-5.30pm (Mon-Sat), 10am-4pm (Sun). In the Winter from 9.30-5pm (Mon-Sat).
Brixham
Brixham couldn't be more of a contrast to both it's Torbay neighbours, Torquay and Paignton. If you're looking for a Devon base with a more laid back 'fishing village' feel, then Brixham is for you. Brixham has a stunning little harbour, and is extremely popular with daytrippers. Fish food stalls line the harbour, and Brixham town has a superb selection of shops, great pubs serving real ale and a choice of Devon Ice cream shops. Brixham is a great place for gentle strolling, watching the fishing boats, and walking out onto the jettties. There's lots of parking available adjacent to the town centre, and with good promenades everywhere disability access is excellent.
Brixham's fishing history stretches back to it's early medieval roots as a small fishing port. It had grown by the 1800s to be one of the largest fishery centre in the UK, with a huge fishing market in the South West. Brixham pays due homage to it's maritime and fishing history, both in the recreation of the Golden Hind (the ship Drake was knighted on by Elizabeth I), and in the little gem, the Brixham Museum on New Road. The photos in this maritime museum are a must! Among other delights in Brixham are it's seawater open air swimming pool, it's picturesque fisherman's cottages, a picture postcard harbour, and Brixham is a prime base for walkers, with many walks taking in surrounding woodland and pebble beaches.Brixham Tourist Information
Brixham Tourist Information Centre, Old Market House, The Quay, Brixham. Tel: 01803 852861. Open May-Sept from 9.30-6pm every day, Oct-Apr 9.30am-5pm Mon-Fri.
Agatha Christie & Torquay
Torquay is synonymous with Agatha Christie, and pays due homage to it's homegrown genius. Christie was rather cagey about many detective stories, comparing their production to a sausage factory. Lovers of the Miss Marple and Hercule Poirot Agatha Christie books however will no doubt beg to differ, for they are indeed journeys of discovering and insights into human behaviour, through the perspective of two very unlikely detectives.
Torquay Museum has a whole exhibition dedicated to Agatha Christie, with an array of fascinating photographs reflecting on Christie's life, particularly growing up in Torquay. Christie's father, Frederick Miller was an American, a character who was rather slap dash with his finances, and her mother Clara came from a background of both luxury and instability. Clara purchased the sprawling villa Ashfield in Barton Road, Torquay. The large greenhouse at Ashfield is described in detail by Christie in her later work 'Postern of Fate'. Agatha Miller was born to parents Frederick and Clara in Torquay Devon on the 15th September 1890 at Barton Road. She married Colonel Archibald Christie in 1914. Archie was an aviator in the Royal Flying Corps. There was one daugher from the marriage, Rosalind. The Christie's divorced in 1928. She produced her first novel, introducing Hercule Poirot, in 1920 in 'The Mysterious Affair at Styles', although she actually wrote it during the war years of 1914-1918, it took some time to get it published! The ingenuity of plot twist in 'The Murder of Roger Ackroyd' (1925) is also considered one of her greatest works.
Dawlish & Teignmouth
Welcome to prime Devon family holiday territory. Dawlish is blessed with some superb beaches, and great Devon family holiday entertainment including superb seaside holiday amenties such as Dawlish's many shops, cafes, bars, a choice of boat trips and fishing trips, mini golf, a theatre and museum and a swimming pool and bowling green. There's a choice of prime all-inclusive holiday parks and caravan parks in this part of south Devon as well, with easy access to Torquay and the English Riviera, and just a hop and skip to the delightful Exe Estuary, attractions such as Powderham Castle and of course historic Exeter.
Nature lovers and birdwatchers head for the beautiful Dawlish Warren National Nature Reserve, and of course superb coastal walking along the Dawlish Spit. Families meanwhile love the blue flag golden sandy beach, with sand dunes at Dawlish Warren beach which has superb family amenities again including pubs, shops, cafes, restaurants and a choice of Dawlish Warren Holiday parks.
Teignmouth is Devon seaside holiday territory most definitely, and a great South Devon base for families. This is Devon's Estuary coastal stretch, and Teignmouth is situated right at the mouth of the Teign estuary. There's a lovely old Victorian pier here, and a selection of Regency style houses. It was a popular Victorian seaside town, and an important fishing port and export location as well. Close to Dartmoor it was the ideal port from which to export Dartmoor granite.
Like many Devon towns in this area, it was the coming of the railways that initiated the holiday boom, and in Teignmouth's case the coming of the Brunel railway from Exeter. Poet John Keats was rather taken with Teignmouth. Today it's prime Devon seaside holiday hotspot, with lots to do including a museum, lots of boat trips and ferry rides, the glorious Marine Parade, and for walkers strolls upto the Ness, the popular sandstone headland right at the river mouth where superb sea views await.
