Torquay

Torquay's advantages as a seaside resort and destination are obvious, with 9 sandy beaches and extremely high standards of water quality (holder of 3 European Blue Flags, more than any other English resort). Torbay enjoys a warm micro-climate that allows palm-like trees to grow readily, though these are not true palms but rather Cordyline australis - Cabbage Tree.
Torquay is infamous as the setting of Fawlty Towers, the hotel owned by Basil and Sybil Fawlty in the classic 1970s British television comedy. The TV show was inspired by the now closed Gleneagles Hotel which the cast stayed at while filming Monty Python's Flying Circus.
The coastal area of Torbay which includes Torquay, Paignton and Brixham, was given the nickname 'English Riviera' because of the large amount of sandy beaches and the relatively warm climate compared to the rest of the country. Officially known as Torbay, it is almost completely made up of tourist resorts and small fishing communities. It is in a natural east-facing harbour.
Torquay is also known for being the place where explorer Percy Fawcett was born.

By car

Torquay is connected to the UK motorway network by the A380, which traces the outskirts of the town as Hellevoetsluis Way and Hamelin Way, leading to the A38 and then on to the M5 at Exeter. The A3022 branches from the A380, leading into Torquay as Riviera Way, to the seafront as Newton Road and then Avenue Road, and then on to Paignton as Torbay Road. The A379 runs past the harbour to the Babbacombe and St Marychurch areas of Torquay, and then north along the coast to Teignmouth.

By train

Torquay has two railway stations.
Both stations are on the Riviera Line serving Exeter, Starcross, Dawlish, Teignmouth, Newton Abbot, Torre, Torquay and Paignton.
Torquay railway station is situated near the sea, close to Torre Abbey Sands. Torquay railway station is also part of the Manchester Picadilly to Paignton line.
is situated a little inland adjacent to the road leading to Newton Abbot. Not all trains stop at Torre.

By plane

The nearest airport is Exeter Airport (EXT).

Two bus routes operated by Stagecoach Devon pass through Torquay - the 'Bayline' number 12 service between Newton Abbot and Brixham, and the X46 service between Exeter and Paignton - while other routes operate within the town.

• Kents CavernHome to early man for some 700,000 years, tourists can visit this subterranean wonderland. The caves have attracted many famous people, among them Agatha Christie, Beatrix Potter, King George V of the United Kingdom and Ethiopian emperor Haile Selassie who was so impressed with his visit that he gave his guide, Leslie Powe a gold sovereign.

• Living Coasts

  phone: +44 1803 202470
  address: Torquay Harbourside, Beacon Hill, TQ1 2BG
  A large coastal zoo.

• Babbacombe Model Village

  phone: +44 1803 315315
  address: Hampton Avenue, Babbacombe, TQ1 3LA
  This is considered one of the best examples of a model village in England.

• Torre AbbeyA Premonstratensian monastery founded in 1196.

• Babbacombe Cliff Railway

  phone: +44 1803 328750
  address: Babbacombe Downs Rd, TQ1 3LF

• Cockington Court and Country Park

  phone: +44 1803 607230
  address: Cockington Ln, TQ2 6XA
  Set in a country park a mile away from the seafront, Cockington Court is an historic manor house with over 20 craft studios, tea rooms, walled art garden, tudor rose garden, contemporary art gallery and a children’s play area.

Museums

• Torquay Museum

  phone: +44 1803 293975
  address: 529 Babbacombe Rd, TQ1 1HG
  The oldest museum in Devon. A Victorian museum centred around Agatha Christie though with many other exhibits throughout the ages.

• Bygones Victorian Museum

  phone: +44 1803 326108
  address: Fore St, TQ1 4PR

• English Riviera Wheel

  phone: +44 115 967 9991
  address: 10-12 Vaughan Rd, TQ2 5EQ
  A tall ferris wheel, similar to the London Eye, offers souvenir photographs. Booking online saves 20%, private bookings are also available.

• Harbour Amusements

  phone: +44 1803 297990
  address: Victoria Parade, TQ1 2BD
  As with any seaside town, there is an amusement arcade which provides a great way to get rid of loose change.

Theatres

• The Princess Theatre

  phone: +44 844 871 3023
  address: Torbay Rd, TQ2 5EZ
  Torquay's main theatre overlooking the waterfront.

• Babbacombe Theatre

  phone: +44 1803 328385
  address: Babbacombe Downs Rd, TQ1 3LU

• Little Theatre

  phone: +44 1803 299330
  address: St Mark's Rd, TQ1 2EL

Beaches

Torquay is also set along a coastline renowned for its 9 main beaches. The high standards of water quality and beach facilities mean that many carry coveted awards. Torquay's beaches and coves are stretched out along the palm-lined coast:

• Maidencombe Beach

• Watcombe Beach

• Oddicombe Beach

• Babbacombe Beach

• Anstey's Cove

• Meadfoot Beach

• Torre Abbey Sands

• Corbyn Sands

Union Square and Fleet Walk shopping centres are near to the Harbour. They offer a wide range of high street shops, ranging from independent boutiques to large chain stores.

• Union Square Shopping Centre

  phone: +44 1803 294892
  address: Union St, TQ1 3UT
  A small shopping centre with a Gregg's, Shaul's Bakery, Saver's, Superdrug, Wilko, Iceland, GAME, O 2 , The Entertainer, That's Entertainment, Peacock's, F. Hind's, Specsaver's, Chiselcraft and Shaw's the Drapers.

• Fleet Walk Shopping Centre

  phone: +44 1803 200508
  address: Fleet Walk, TQ2 5EA

The Willows, a few miles from the centre, offers a retail park with a large Marks and Spencer, Sainsbury's, Next and electronics stores.

• The Willows

  address: Nicholson Rd, TQ2 7XA

Chefs in the area are spoilt for choice when it comes to locally sourced seafood and meat. The cuisine has a distinctive west country flavour. Adventurous diners can take a culinary journey around the world, sampling everything from French, Italian and Spanish, to Indian, Thai, Moroccan, Mexican and Lebanese cuisine
Accolades like AA Rosettes, Michelin Stars and Les Routiers can be found, while even several of the fish and chip shops are award winning. From restaurants with stunning views across the emerald bay, to Country pubs offering hearty fare, Torquay has it covered.

Budget

• Bamboo Sandwich & Coffee Bar

  phone: +44 1803 326015
  address: St Marychurch Rd, TQ1 4TY
  A small cafe, with a great sandwich selection.

Mid-range

• Hanbury's Famous Fish and Chips

  phone: +44 1803 329928
  address: 24 Princes St, TQ1 3LW
  Fish & chip shop and restaurant, winner of several awards including Best Fish & Chip Shop 2007.

Splurge

• The Room in the Elephant

  phone: +44 1803 200044
  address: Beacon Hill, TQ1 2BH
  Torquay's first Michelin star restaurant. Specialises in seafood.

• The Orange Tree

  phone: +44 1803 213936
  address: 14-16 Parkhill Rd, TQ1 2AL

There are numerous pubs, clubs and bars close to the harbourside, ranging from traditional English pubs to classy wine bars.

• Visto Lounge

  phone: +44 1803 211009
  address: Unit 3, Ground floor, Abbey Crescent, Torbay Rd, Torquay TQ2 5HD
  Just across from the beach.

• The Drum Inn

  phone: +44 1803 690264
  address: Cockington Ln, Torquay TQ2 6XA
  Dating back to 1936. A country pub surrounded by great countryside.

• The Green Ginger

  phone: +44 1803 217960
  address: Lower Ground Floor, Winter Garden, Fleet Walk, TQ2 5DZ
  Wetherspoons pub. The unusual name dates back to 1846 and refers to green ginger wine sold at the time.

• The Hole in the Wall

  phone: +44 1803 200755
  address: 6 Park Ln, TQ1 2AU
  Apparently Torquay's oldest pub dating back to 1540.

Torquay is well supplied with bed and breakfast (B&B) and self-catered accommodation. The Tourist Information Centre is a good source of quality information about accommodation and Torquay in general.

• The Richwood and Beirut Bistro

  phone: +44 1803 293729
  address: 20 Newton Road, TQ2 5BZ
  Lebanese (halal), European and English cuisine in the Beirut - Bistro. The Richwood is a Victorian mansion, comfortably furnished, centrally heated throughout, with a cosy bar, heated swimming pool and sun terrace. All 13 bedrooms are en-suite, have colour TV with DVD players and tea and coffee making facilities. Evening meals are available (booking and orders in advance), with a choice of home-cooked international dishes. Free Wi-Fi. Free private parking, first come, first served; alternative free parking on the Newton Road. Pool table and games room. TV lounge with international satellite programs. 30ft x 15ft heated swimming pool (25°C) open from June to October. Sunbathing terraces, pool snack bar, hot spa, CCTV and security system.

• The Meadfoot Bay Hotel

  phone: +44 1803 294722
  address: Meadfoot Sea Rd, TQ1 2LQ
  The Meadfoot Bay is an award-winning family-run guest house situated in the area of Meadfoot, just a stroll from Meadfoot Beach and a short walk from Torquay harbour.

• Braddon Hall Hotel

  phone: +44 1803 293908
  address: 70 Braddons Hill Rd East, TQ1 1HF
  500 metres from the harbour, shops and beaches.

• The Hotel Balmoral

  phone: +44 1803 293381
  address: Meadfoot Sea Rd, TQ1 2LQ

• Torcroft Hotel

  phone: +44 1803 298292
  address: 28-30 Croft Road, Torquay, TQ2 5UE
  Torcroft Hotel is a stylish and friendly B&B. They have 11 rooms including 2 large balcony rooms, 2 deluxe double rooms, a family room and twins and doubles. All rooms are en-suite and have flat screen TVs. Free parking and Wi-Fi. Great breakfasts.

• Paignton – A coastal town which has lots of tourist attractions.
• Brixham – A small fishing town, reachable by ferry.
• Totnes – A small market town.