Torquay

Explore the palm trees and other exotic tropical plants and flowers, the busy harbour and the rolling green countryside give Torquay a special atmosphere. By day, its beaches and activities are unrivalled and at night it glitters with fun and vibrancy.

From a background of pirates, smugglers and honest fishermen, the town developed into a fashionable haven for visitors in the 19th century. Torquay established an outstanding reputation and it soon expanded to take in nearby parishes such as
Babbacombe and Cockington.

During your stay, make sure you visit Beacon Quay, redeveloped on the site of the World War II slipways, where you will find a number of shops and cafes in a beautiful setting overlooking the Bay, as well as Living Coasts, an aquatic zoo full of marine magic.

Torquay was the birthplace and home of internationally - renowned crime writer Agatha Christie, and is steeped in history, from the awe-inspiring caves of Kents Cavern, to the World War II slipways at Beacon Quay. With so much culture, history, and an amazing nine beaches to choose from, Devon's Torquay really is the perfect place to relax on holiday.

The town is famed for its situation among seven green hills, from where grand Victorian villas and terraces gaze out to sea. Palm-lined promenades lead to the lively harbourside and marina, where pavement cafes and boutique shops abound, in addition to a range of top class restaurants.

As the jewel in the crown of the English Riviera, Torquay has a real cosmopolitan vibe and sipping a cool drink on a long, hot summer's day, it's possible to imagine yourself a thousand miles away.