Location

The Local Area

The English Riviera is made up of 22 miles of stunning coastline and charming coastal towns that each offer their own unique feast of places to visit, scenery to explore and exhilarating attractions.

From outdoor adventure, family fun and cultural sites there is something for people of all ages and every taste. Torquay Harbour, Brixham, Paignton, Dartmouth and Exeter are all nearby, so you are going to have to return many times to see all that’s on offer.

From waterside activities, fun-filled family trips and historical walks, the English Riviera truly offers it all. Enjoy amazing beaches, exhilarating water sports (jet skiing and surfing to name a few) and maritime activities, including boat trips, deep sea fishing, kite-surfing, paddle-boarding and sailing. If you’re looking for lively entertainment and a great variety of events, then you may like to head to the Waterfront or Cockington, as your sure to see exciting festivals, live music events, top-class sailing competitions and of course the famous Agatha Christie themed revelries.

For those wanting quite or solitary activities there are hundreds of coastal walks and cycle routes to choose from, leading you to a treasure-trove of remote and breathtaking surroundings.

Spanning across the English Riviera, South Devon’s beautiful bay, are countless attractions and fascinating sites. Explore the Global Geo Park sites to discover tales of the area’s drowned forests, sabre-tooth tigers and the earliest human remains. Kent’s Caverns are an eye to behold, and people travel from across the world to see them first hand. Ideal for the kids, Paignton Zoo is an absolute must-see with thousands of animals, a range of habitats and acres of activities. Alternatively, use your time to relax and soak up the laid back atmosphere at one of the many picturesque villages or beachside cafes.

Eating Out

Eating out will guarantee you some memorable gastronomic experiences. Restaurants cater for virtually every budget. Whatever your choice of fayre you will be spoilt for choice, with a selection of English, Italian, Mexican, Indian and Thai restaurants on hand for an international flavour.

If it’s a real taste of the West Country you want, then head to Babbacombe, home of the award-winning Hanbury’s Fish and Chips and Drakes Fish and Chips, or head to Brixham, for the best local seafood. The English Riviera and South Devon are a destination of choice for top class and celebrity chefs.

Torquay’s Elephant Restaurant is the base for celeb chef and Michelin-star holder Simon Hulstone, while the head chef of the nearby Grand Hotel is Richard Hunt, star of television’s Iron Chef. Not far away you’ll find Mitch Tonks in Dartmouth and Michael Caines in Exeter.

The area is of course famous for its seafood, and fish and shellfish from Brixham end up in top kitchens all over the world. Many of our restaurants serve up the freshest catch of the day, which can be matched with great local wine from neighbouring Sharpham Vineyard.

The incredible Cary Arms pub, overlooking Babbacombe Bay, and The Drum in Cockington serve wonderful food and drink, and are well worth a visit or several.

Shopping

Wellswood Village offers a lovely selection of small shops, boutiques and cafes, whilst Torquay is home to many high street favourites, as well as locally owned shops. Dartmouth, Salcombe, Brixham and Babbacombe have a good range of high street brands, high end interior furnishings, and smaller boutiques.

For those who want to take part in more serious shopping, head up the road to Exeter, as this historic city has it all, from John Lewis and the White Company, to Hollister, Reiss and other fashion staples. Great restaurants are around every corner and the restaurant ‘The Ivy’ is opening by Exeter Cathedral in 2021.

For local food – ‘Me & Mrs Jones’ in Wellswood Village is a must if you want quality local produce. The farm shops at Occombe and Churston provide the best in delicious seasonal local produce, with Occombe stocking meat from its own herd of Devon Ruby Red cattle and veg from its organic garden.