^{About Torbay}

Holidays Torbay

The English Riveria  with its special continental atmosphere,  mild climate, deep blue sea, white villas, palm trees and cultured gardens is the perfect setting for your holiday or break. The three resorts of Torquay, Paignton and Brixham offer a delightful blend of excellent accommodation, entertainment, rich heritage, quality shopping, exciting attractions and beautiful beaches along a 22 mile stretch of un spoilt coastline where that unique holiday feeling lasts all year! 

Torquay
When Torre Abbey was founded in 1196, the Premonstratensian monks chose a gently sloping site, surrounded by steep, wooded hillsides and rocky valleys. Later, as the Abbey became increasingly prosperous, they built a small quay, not far from Tormohun, around which a tiny fishing hamlet became established. This marked the beginning of present-day Torquay.

There was little further development until the early 18th Century, with the arrival of the Channel fleet. Neat new buildings, designed to accommodate sailors and their visiting wives and sweethearts, began to appear on the hillsides. The number of visitors grew when the French ports were blockaded during the Napoleonic wars and those who were accustomed to traveling abroad discovered instead the delights of Torquay.

After the turn-piking of the roads in the mid-18th century, a new breed of visitor arrived - the wealthy invalid - drawn by the mild, soothing climate and invigorating sea air. This trend was boosted further by the opening of the railway in 1848 and Torquay, with its fine hotels, elegant terraces and Italianate villas, attracted an increasing number of gentlefolk intent on improving their health. Several of these original properties still stand among the tree-clad hills, notably Lisburne Crescent and, the grandest of all, Hesketh Crescent, with its sweeping Regency facade.

At the beginning of this century, it was decided to cast off the Victorian image of this Queen of Watering Places. Since then, with sympathetic development, Torquay has become a sophisticated modern resort while still retaining the charm and elegance of yesteryear.

The lively harbour with its international marina, is the focus of activity and the Continental atmosphere is enhanced by the palm-lined promenade and the pavement cafes. The shopping facilities, many of which are under cover, are among the best in the West Country, restaurants, inns and wine bars abound and a variety of entertainment is available throughout the year.

Along the coast, there are no less than nine beaches, several in rocky coves or small bays, and all within easy reach of the centre, and fine cliff top walks offer spectacular views. Sailing is probably still the most popular pastime, but an increasing number of people are taking up sports such as water-skiing, wind-surfing and parascending.

PAIGNTON
Paignton, which lies in a relatively flat coastal plain, surrounded by low cliffs, was first settled by Saxon, Paega, and was known as Paega's ton or Paega's Farmland. By the time of the Norman Conquest it had been acquired by the Bishop of Exeter - in fact, he and his entourage were probably the first summer visitors! Its fertile soil and sunny, sheltered aspect proved ideal for growing grapes and other agricultural produce. Indeed, Paignton was once renowned for its cider and cabbages.

The small fishing harbour, built in 1838, once provided a base for seine-netting. Nowadays, apart from a small trade in shellfish, it is used mainly by pleasure boats and ferries.

With the coming of the railway in 1859, Paignton began to develop into a large fashionable resort. Marshland was reclaimed and the building of villas, Hotels and grandiose residences proceeded apace. Nevertheless, the old area of Paignton's Well, around the Parish Church has remained the heart of the town. Here can be seen the original Parish Prison, the remains of the old Bishop's Palace, and charming cottages, some dating from the 16th century.

Paignton also has links with the Singer family, famous for the creation of the Singer Sewing Machine. Oldway Mansions is open to the public and is used as Council and Registry Offices.

Today, Paignton is a thriving seaside resort offering all the essential ingredients for an unforgettable family holiday. There are miles of clean, sandy beaches, from Paignton Sands and Preston Sands in the north to Broadsands and Elberry Cove in the south. Most are gently shelving and paddler-friendly, and boasts and pedaloes are available for hire.

Apart from hotels and guest-houses, there are numerous self-catering holiday centres around the town and entertainment is provided throughout the summer for the benefits of visitors. Children can take part in the varied programme of events at Paignton Green, watch old-time Punch & Judy on the sands, or experience the many thrills and spills that await them at Quayest Beach Resort . Spectacular firework displays are a popular feature during summer evenings and the Festival Theatre stages regular productions.

BRIXHAM
Sheltered by rugged cliffs, the picturesque town of Brixham has a proud maritime history spanning some nine centuries. The original settlement, now known as Higher Brixham grew up around a tidal creek from where the fishermen plied their trade, using lines and seine nets. Brixham fishermen were the pioneers of trawling, and the wooden-hulled Brixham trawlers, with their tan sails, were once the fastest, most efficient fishing vessels in the British Isles.

The tidal creek has long since been reclaimed for building and, although fishing is still a major activity, the town has found a new prosperity in welcoming visitors. Life in Brixham still revolves around the harbour but yachts and pleasure craft now mingle with the fishing boats and The Quay is lined with cafes and pubs, amusements arcades and a pleasing variety of shops. Nearer the waterside, artists mingle with the shellfish and ice cream vendors. On the surrounding hillsides there are narrow, terraces streets, linked by steep inclines or flights of steps, where shops and cafes, guest houses and neat rows of fishermen's cottages jostle for attention.

A harbour walkway runs from beneath Furzeham, where iron ore was once mined, past the yacht club, to the Fishing Harbour. It continues around the Inner Harbour and its various attractions, past the South Devon Control Centre of HM Coastguard, Grenville House activities centre (once the Brixham Seamen's Boys' Home) and the Breakwater, to the foot of Berry Head.

Not far from here are two limestone caves - Ash Hole Cavern and Brixham Cavern - where the discovery of prehistoric animal remains shed new light on the antiquity of man. Signs of early settlement have also been found on the formidable grey limestone promontory of Berry Head, now a Country Park. Earthworks, together with finds of coins and pottery, point to the existence of an early Iron Age fortification that probably pre-dated the Roman invasion. Of further interest to the historian are the remains of two impressive Napoleonic forts, now subject to a preservation order. The park is also a National Nature Reserve, home to vast colonies of seabirds and many rare species of plants.