I write as the General Manager of The Grand, having been in place for a mere sneeze so far.  In a short space of time I have discovered that I have a great team of people, am in charge of a delightful hotel that loves my style of friendly hospitality and I work in a fabulous location.  So, having been basking in a stream of  satisfied customer comments for some time, imagine how I felt when 34 copies of the Sunday Times were delivered by my porters to my beautiful 4 star hotel bedrooms on Sunday, August 2nd! 

By midmorning I was beseiged by a number of irate guests, choking on the one sided, poorly written article in the colour magazine supplement, by a man whose name sounds like a poor man’s pizza.  Peppered with cheap shots, this piece of journalistic trash refers to my lovely hotel as a “large ugly building presumptuously called The Grand”, which he merely viewed from a distance – persumably too lazy to visit and enjoyed charming hospitality and arguably one of the best views in the UK.  I wonder, does he know ugly from beauty? 

I was saddened that his pathetic drivel denigrated Laurence Murrell who is one of Torquay’s most enduring and hardworking hoteliers.  I know that negativity and sensationalism sells newspapers but sadly, jaundiced claptrap, from someone who can quite obviously influence an audience, can have a huge impact on how a resorts like those English Riviera are perceived.  It does continue to provide great holidays that cater for all tourists who are sensible enough to visit glorious Devon – especially when the country needs the support of its own.  The more visitors, the faster one is able to work to get better!  So pizza man, next time constructive assistance please not demolition!

It may be Valentine’s Day but spare a thought for 25 ladies who are going to be feeling more blue than pink with the blushes of romance. Where are all the single men?

For those not enjoying coupledom at this noted time of year, a Singles event with a difference – speed dating over dinner – has been organised this Saturday (Feb 16th) at Torquay hotel, The Grand. A positive response was received in droves but from women. In typical new century style it seems to be the women who are making the first move and the men have gone all shy!

Given the amount of people dating on line, has it now become virtually impossible to find true love in real life? Unless some single males in Torquay find the courage to come out of hiding then sea is going to be all that is in the air. This doesn’t bode well for a leap year!

Everyone is in the same position – Single, so men why not to prove women that you’re just as brave as them and you never know you just might find the one you’ve been looking for.

Torquay has been a favourite holiday resort for generations, superbly situated in beautiful Torbay, at the heart of the English Riviera in the county of Devon. The gentle climate, stunning views, delightful parks and gardens make Torquay a place where all the family can relax and be entertained. Explore the 22 miles of coastline with its many beaches and coves, switch off the stress and enjoy soaking up Torquay’s unique atmosphere.

The transformation of Torquay from a fishing village to the most glamorous of the west country’s resorts began in the early 18th century. The Royal Navy used Torquay for an anchorage during the Napoleonic wars; it was home to the wives of officers from the warships anchored in the bay. In the early 1800s Sir Laurence Palk had town plans drawn up, incorporating ideas inspired by Italian architecture. Some of the original Regency buildings can still be seen, at Hesketh Crescent and Lisburne Crescent.

In 1848 the South Devon Railway came to the area, enabling many more people to visit Torquay. Some came for health reasons, one of those was Elizabeth Barrett Browning, who spent three years in the town. By the mid nineteenth century Torquay was becoming established as a fashionable resort, separate beaches were designated for ladies and gentleman’s bathing, and it was not until 1899 that mixed bathing was permitted.

In the early days many people came to see Kent’s Cavern, Torquay’s Historic Archeological Site. Both humans and animals used the cave, around half a million years ago. Today you can take a tour of discovery of this fascinating Ancient Monument.

Torr Abbey, Situated in open parkland on Torquay sea front was founded in 1196. Visitors to Torr Abbey can trace its history by touring the historic rooms, enjoy the Art Galleries and visit the ‘Spanish Barn’ of Armada fame. In the Agatha Christie Memorial Room you can discover the history behind the famous crime writer, who was born and lived for many years in Torquay.

Nearby is Riviera Centre, a great place to spend the day if it rains. This is Torquay’s indoor beach with a flume ride, wave machine and fun pool, a soft play area, a fully equipped gym, a sauna, restaurants and bars.

Torquay has a superb marina and is a great place to enjoy watersports, sailing, jet-skiing and windsurfing. Walk along the coastal path, or search for a souvenir of your holiday from Torquay’s interesting variety of shops.

You will find a variety of superb Hotels and a wide choice of places to eat, from pavement cafes and pubs, to high class restaurants offering delicious evening meals, and Torquay’s theatres offer great evening entertainment all year round.

“A Most Romantic Situation”

Torquay may owe its very existence as the resort we know today to the French war at the end of the 18th Century. It was at this time that it gained a reputation among the families of naval officers stationed in the bay for its pleasant climate and sheltered situation. An early visitor in 1794 is recorded as saying “Instead of the poor uncomfortable village we had expected, how great it was our surprise at seeing a pretty range of neat new buildings, fitted up for summer visitors, who may certainly here enjoy carriage rides, bathing, retirement and a most romantic situation.”

Its reputation spread rapidly and attracted those unwilling or unable to make the long journey to the south of France. In the 19th century its inhabitants were reported to be of the “highest class” living a fine lifestyle with many servants and tradespeople around to the meet their every whim. Many grand villas and terraces were built during the time and it is these fine buildings that form a large proportion of our present day hotels such as the Bishop’s Court built in 1844 and now grade II listed, the Livermead House, one of the first seafront buildings and the Osborne Hotel, part of a fine terrace overlooking the sea.

Torquay’s history of course stretched much further back than the 1800s. The famous picture-postcard village of Cockington has a recorded history stretching back nearly a thousand years. Soon after the Norman Conquest a family who became known as the de Cockingtons were given the manor. From that time (about 1070) until 1930, Cockington had only three owners – the de Cockingtons (who lived there for 281 years); the Carys (1375 – 1654); the Mallocks (279 years). Cockington was the venue for the Devon County Agricultural Show of 1882 an event which runs to this day but now takes place at a vast showground near Exeter.

Torre Abbey, once the home of a local land-owning family called the Carys (from Castle Cary), also has a long history as it started life as a medieval monastery.

With its unrivalled Bay, English Riviera has been famed for its watersports for many a year and in 1948 the watersports events of the Olympic Games were held here. The Olympic flame was brought from London and burned for the duration at Torre Abbey Gardens. Before then perhaps the largest gathering of boats was the 113 ships of war anchored in the bay in 1905. J Class yachts were a stunning site recalled in the Bay and the Prince of Wales raced his to win the main regatta events in both 1893 and 1894. Torquay’s harbour, although not as commercial as Brixham was busy with coal imports and wool from Australia which then made its way to the huge spinning mills of the North.

In the Bay today you will see a remnant of the past as three ex-Royal Navy motor launches, converted after the war, now run the Torquay to Brixham ferry route. All are named Western Lady.

Cockington is a Domesday Book traditional country estate, complete with manor house, church, formal gardens, village, water-wheel, woodlands, meadows and pasture. It is famous for its well-kept thatched cottages and pleasant environment, right on the edge of Torquay and only minutes away from the busy sea-front. It is also now becoming well-known as the home of quality craftsmanship with the rebirth of Cockington Court, the old manor house, as a Craft Centre. Here resident craftspeople produce high-quality craftwork from their studios. The Trust owns the freehold to the world-famous Cockington Village, including its thatched Forge and the Lutyens-designed Drum Inn.

From Scadson Woods, or from the seafront at Livermead, or even from the Ring Road, you can walk into Cockington and explore its 10 km/6 m long network of country footpaths and horse-riding routes.

It’s a landscape full of surprises and views over Torbay, with wildlife and history to match. The Visitor Centre and Cockington Court have details of all the different activities to choose fromsuch as guided walks and gardening courses. Much of the Cockington parkland is easily accessible in a wheelchair.

Along the 22 miles of the English Riviera coastline there are 20 beaches from wide sandy stretches to hidden rocky coves. So whether you’re after a place to lay out your towel, build sandcastles, have a gentle paddle, ramble through a rockpool or just a quiet place to sit and watch the surf, you’re sure to find a beach to suit. Although our beaches are regarded as safe, care should always be taken when swimming. Warning flags are sometimes in operation.

Our Beaches from North to South

1. Maidencombe Beach (Torquay)
A sand and shingle beach with ample parking, swimming safe with care, toilet, café, deckchair and sunbed hire. Dogs are allowed.

2. Watcombe Beach (Torquay)
A sandy beach with limited parking, dogs allowed, swimming safe with care, toilets, cafe, beach shop and deckchair/sunbed hire.

3. Oddicombe Beach (Torquay)
Sand and shingle beach just below the north end of Babbacombe Downs. Parking is half a mile from the beach. Steep access but try the cliff railway (great fun). No dogs, swimming safe with care, toilets, café, beach shop, deckchair/sunbed hire.

4. Babbacombe Beach (Torquay)
A sand and shingle beach popular for sailing and fishing off the breakwater. Steep access from Beach Road, swimming safe with care, limited parking, dogs allowed, toilets, café, deckchair/sunbed hire.

5. Redgate Beach (Torquay)
is currently closed due to unstable cliffs above.

6. Anstey’s Cove (Torquay)
Shingle and rocky beach with parking quarter of a mile from the beach. Dogs allowed, café, beach shop, deckchair/sunbed hire and chalet hire.

7. Meadfoot Beach (Torquay)
A long pebble and sand beach with ample parking. Dogs allowed only at the Kilmorie end, swimming safe with care, toilets, café, deckchair/sunbed hire and chalet hire.

8. Torre Abbey Sands / Corbyn Sands (Torquay)
A sandy beach right in the heart of Torquay’s so lots of parking nearby. Very high tides will cover the sand. Dogs banned, swimming safe with care, toilets, café, beach shop, deckchair/sunbed hire and chalet hire. Just across the road from Torre Abbey Meadows parkland.

9. Corbyn Sands (Torquay)
Just south of Torre Abbey sands, this sand and shingle beach has all the same facilities.

10. Hollicombe Beach (Torquay)
A quiet sandy beach with parking 1 mile from the beach. Dogs banned, swimming safe with care and toilets.

11. Preston Sands (Paignton)
Long sandy beach with easy access but limited parking. Dogs banned, swimming safe with care, café, beach shop, deckchair/sunbed hire and beach hut hire.

12. Paignton Beach (Paignton)
Long sandy beach with easy access, large grassy green adjacent and ample parking nearby. Lots of kiosks and cafes by the beach and amusements on the pier. Dogs are banned, swimming safe with care, toilets, deckchair/sunbed hire, pedaloes and family bikes.

13. Goodrington Sands (Paignton)
Long sandy beach with Seashore Centre, Quaywest Waterpark, Youngs Park and Inn on the Quay all right behind the beach. Plenty of kiosks, toilets and amusements, swimming safe with care, deckchair and sunbed hire. Dogs allowed on North Sands only. Excellent low tide rockpooling.

14. Broadsands (Paignton)
Long sandy beach with good access and parking and a large green behind the promenade. Dogs banned, swimming safe with care, café, beach shop, (no amusements) deckchair/sunbed hire and beach huts for hire. Pedaloes and boats for hire.

15 Elberry Cove (Paignton)
A pretty shingle beach with access by footpath from Broadsands car park. Dogs are allowed and this beach is used a lot by waterskiers (restricted lane). Nearest toilets and café at Broadsands. Lovely woodland walks around.
16 Churston Cove (Brixham)
Sand and shingle beach with steep footpath access from Churston or Fishcombe. Dogs allowed, swimming safe with care. A popular picnic stop for yachts.

17 Fishcombe Cove (Brixham)
Sand and shingle beach with limited parking, dogs allowed, swimming safe with care, toilets, café and deckchair/sunbed hire.

18 Breakwater Beach (Brixham)
Shingle beach right next to the breakwater with ample parking. Swimming safe with care, toilets, café and beach shop. This is a popular beach for divers.

19 Shoalstone Beach (Brixham)
A shingle and rock beach right next to Brixham’s outdoor seawater pool. Limited parking, swimming safe with care, dogs allowed, toilets, café and deckchair/sunbed hire.

20. St Mary’s Bay (Brixham)
A quiet sand and shingle beach with footpath access from the car park. No toilets or café. A great detour from a walk along the coast path. Beautiful viewpoint from Sharkham Point above the beach All along the South Devon coast there is an incredible range of beautiful beaches so your choice is virtually endless.

There are a wealth of attractions here on the Riviera and as a year round resort many are open 364 days a year so even when the sun doesn’t shine there is always something the keep everyone entertained.

Click on each attraction for more details.

Living Coasts – Torquay

Living Coasts features a range of fascinating coastal creatures from loud and loveable penguins to playful fur seals, colourful puffins to waders and sea ducks. There are reconstructed sandy beaches,……

Abbey Park – Torquay

The park opened in 1924, the pond and water rock garden, both original features, have undergone a significant makeover in recent years. There has been a total replant of the rock garden and surrounding……

Devon’s Top Attractions –

All year round Devon’s Top Attractions can offer you an interesting and exciting variety of activities for the whole family to enjoy: from cliff-top railways to mysterious castles and animal adventures……

Babbacombe Model Village – TORQUAY

Take time out from the hustle and bustle of every day life and see it recreated in miniature. Thousands of miniature buildings, people and vehicles set in 4 acres capture the essence of England’s past,……

The Golden Hind – BRIXHAM

Re-live Drakes incredible world voyage of 1577 aboard this full sized replica, moored in Brixham harbour. The ship gives a fascinating, hands on and exciting experience to life on board in 16th Centuary,……

The Seashore Centre – Paignton

Torbay’s Marine World is a hidden jewel with 16 marine sites of national importance, including Saltern Cove, designated an underwater Local Nature Reserve and the only local underwater Site of Special……

Tessier Gardens – Torquay

Hidden away between Babbacombe and St. Marychurch, Tessier Gardens is a small and delightful park that was given to the town in 1933 by Mrs H.A Tessier ‘for the use of adults only’. In the same year……

Riviera International Centre – TORQUAY

‘Waves Leisure Pool’ – Torbay’s Indoor Beach with sloping floor, wave machine,fun sessions and flume. ‘Lifestyle Health & Fitness Suite’ – 57 station gym, sauna, steam room, jacuzzi, sunbeds,aerobics,……

Paignton Zoo Environmental Park – PAIGNTON

As featured in BBC1 The Zoo Keepers – see the zoo keepers and all their animals at this famous Zoo, with hundreds of animals, many endangered, in the natural setting of the world’s threatened habitats. Open……

The Breakwater Art Gallery – Brixham

‘The Breakwater Art Gallery’, nestled on the beach at Brixham Marina, has a warm Mediterranean style atmosphere. It also houses exhibitions of some of Torquay’s finest award winning artists – ‘The Shoal……

Strand Art Gallery – BRIXHAM

Artists have been painting on Brixham harbourside well over a century. Many of our current artists have been painting here over 35 years. The artists paint outside in fine weather & are often photographed……

Oldway Mansion and Gardens – PAIGNTON

The magnificent legacy of Paignton’s most colourful family – the Singers of sewing machine fame. Inspired by French and Italian architecture, the grand marble staircase and the gallery modelled on the……

Princess Gardens – Torquay

The gardens were opened in 1894. The opening was a significant milestone in the history of the resort in that the Town Council had decided to put a strong emphasis on making Torquay a place of beauty……

Babbacombe Cliff Railway – Torquay

Babbacombe Cliff Railway has been operating since 1926. Following refurbishment after the war the cliff railway was re-opened in the early 1950’s. Now more than 250,000 passengers are carried safely each……

Cinderella Carriages of Cockington – Torquay

Enjoy a horse drawn tour in an original Victoria carriage. Taking you to the beautiful thatched villiage of Cockington, up to Cockington Court, church and craft center. You can then enjoy a ride back……

Royal Terrace Gardens (Rock walk) – Torquay

A network of hidden paths festoned with exotic plants. Around the the time of the construction of Princes Pier, Gardens and the widening of Torbay Road, a raised walk was laid out which ran along the……

Kents Cavern – TORQUAY

Torquay’s Historic Archeological Site. Discovery tours take you through these prehistoric caves to reveal half a million years of history. Victorian excavations uncovered a wealth of archeological remains……

Skiwest – Paignton

Skiwest Watersports- we offer waterskiing and wakeboarding for the complete beginner onwards with all safety equipment and wetsuits supplied. We also run ringo rides, speedboat trips and boat charter. ……

Torquay Museum – TORQUAY

You can take a journey into the town’s fascinating past – find out more about local wildlife, famous people and Torquay through the ages. Don’t miss the Agatha Christie Exhibition, including photographic……

Paignton & Dartmouth Steam Railway – PAIGNTON

Steam trains from Paignton, running along the spectacular Torbay coast with superb views across the Bay, inland to Churston and then down to the beautiful Dart estuary to Kingswear for the ferry to……

Occombe Farm – Paignton

Discover the real food and farming of South Devon. Explore the working organic farm, get close to the local wildlife, sample authentic Devon food in our Cafe, and discover new experiences on our many……

Berry Head Country Park – BRIXHAM

This is Torbay’s most important wildlife site and one of England’s 200 National Nature Reserves. The are defines the southern part of Torbay with the 65 metre limestone headland dropping sheer into……

Bygones Lifesize Victorian Street – TORQUAY

Shopping as our grandparents used to shop. Memories of journeys on the romantic steam trains our parents knew. Escape into the magic lands of fantasy where every generation loves to go. Wander……

Quaywest – PAIGNTON

Enjoy the WETTEST and WILDEST fun at the English Riviera’s outdoor Waterpark. Choose from 8 different slides and flumes, to adults swimming pool and children’s play area. Other attractions include Go-Karts,……

Battery Gardens – Brixham

Not only does Battery Gardens boast one of the most panoramic views in the bay, it is also a Scheduled Monument. As far back as the 1780’s the area was used for militia training, most significantly it……

OurGlass – TORQUAY

We’re now glass making every day so the studio is nice and warm again! We’re open and glassblowing 7 days a week. We look forward to seeing you. Remember, if you can’t make it to the studio, we’re……

Cockington Court & Country Park – TORQUAY

A visit to Torbay is not complete until you have seen the world famous village of Cockington and the stately Manor house – Cockington Court. Nestling deep in a hidden valley right in the heart of Torbay,……

Life in Torquay revolves around the bustling waterfront At the south eastern end of the harbour is a brand new attraction “Living Coasts” – a celebration of the wildlife that inhabits the coastal regions of the world (open July 2003). A new footbridge links across the inner harbour taking you into the café quarter with shops and cafes galore. Stroll around Torquay stylish marina with its glamorous “gin palaces” and sporty yachts. The Pavilion Shopping Centre started life as a theatre in Edwardian time but now houses a lovely enclave of specialist shops and a restaurant above with terraces overlooking the harbour.

The Princess Theatre has a programme packed with top West End shows and touring performances. Stroll along Princess Pier, a beautiful preserved promenade which was said to be where the young Agatha Christie enjoyed her roller-skating. The Waterfront then sweeps around towards Agatha honeymoon hotel the stunning Grand Hotel.

Torquay has been one of the UK’s top holiday destinations since Victorian Times when the gentry promenaded, bathing huts were wheeled down the beaches and anyone who was anyone had an attractive villa overlooking the sea. It was the Victorians who first used the Riviera name to describe their favourite resort and their legacy remains to this day with sparkling white villas perched on the verdant hilltops, beautiful gardens around the seafront and elegant Victorian facades along the main streets. Torquay’s famous seven hills provide the backdrop to a waterfront scene that matches anything you’ll find on the French Riviera.

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 attractions to suit every interest.

On this site you will find everything you need for your holiday in the Torbay towns of Torquay, Paignton or Brixham including listings of all our accommodation: hotels, guesthouses, B&Bs, self catering, campsites and holiday parks. All are ideally placed for touring Devon, the Westcountry and South west.