THE ENGLISH RIVIERA
With so many exciting and interesting experiences to enjoy on the English Riviera, you will certainly be spoilt for choice. Once you've discovered just how much there is to see, do and enjoy we're sure you'll want to come back to the English Riviera time after time. We wish you a most enjoyable visit.
Torbay, with it's three towns - the 19th-century resorts of Paignton and Torquay, and the historic fishing port of Brixham - is backed by steep hills, which creates a suntrap, and results in a micro-climate that is warmer than the rest of the country.
Paignton,
the oldest of the three towns is in the centre of Torbay, and the distinctive
red sandstone lends the area it's Mediterranean feel
Torquay
faces south, and due to it's sunny aspect, developed a reputation as a health
resort. The waterfront, it's marinas, wine-bars, restaurants, theatre and unique
town centre shops, offers visitors all the facilities required by an international
resort.
Brixham nestles in the rugged cliffs
at the southern end of Torbay. Fishing has been carried out in Brixham for more
than 900 years and remains in the forefront of today's industry
Torquay
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Brixham Marina Brixham Marina is right on the harbour
quayside of this delightful little town. It is particularly sheltered from the
south-westerly gales and offers safe access in all weather conditions and at all
states of the tide. The Marina is now well established as a favourite cruising
centre both for novices and for experienced yachtsmen from home and abroad. |
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Brixham's Beaches  20 Beaches and Coves 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. 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 Fishcombe Cove (Brixham) Sand and shingle beach with limited parking, dogs allowed, swimming safe with care, toilets, café and deckchair/sunbed hire. 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.  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. 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.
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The Golden Hind Replica  This spectacular replica of Francis Drake's famous ship stands proudly in the harbour and welcomes visitors onboard. in Brixham harbour since 1963 during which time it has enthralled many thousands of visitors both young and old alike. 400 years after the death of Sir Francis Drake there is still massive worldwide interest in this remarkable man and his achievements. As well as providing the visitor with general information about the ship this section has been designed to support students in their studies on the Golden Hind, Sir Francis Drake and life at sea during the 16th century. |
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Brixham
Life in Brixham centres around the harbour and the bustle of one of Britain's busiest fishing ports. Watch the fishermen working on their trawlers or take to the sea on one of the many angling trips that leave the harbour every day. Pleasure boats are plentiful and a regular ferry service runs across the Bay to Torquay during the season. Wander through the maze of tiny narrow streets rising from the harbour and imagine what life was like when Brixham's reputation for smuggling was renowned in the 17th and 18th centuries.
Admire the pretty, colourful cottages clinging to the hillsides and watch the many artists at work capturing the spirit of the port in their paintings.
Brixham has a character and warmth all of its own. Nestled in the rugged cliffs at the southern end of Tor Bay, this fascinating port boasts one of Britain's most beautiful harbours. During the summer months life seems to revolve around the seafront which comes alive to the sound of laughter and holiday fun.
Sample freshly caught seafood from one of the quayside's fish stalls, or relax in a pub or restaurant and watch life go by. Away from the harbour you can lose yourself in a maze of narrow, winding streets, and within walking distance from the town centre you will find some of the Riviera's most spectacular scenery
. Sandy beaches and secluded coves give way to the towering cliffs at Berry Head, offering breathtaking views of Torbay and the starting point of the stretch of dramatic coast path that winds its way round to the village of Kingswear.
Brixham
has a fascinating maritime history stretching back a thousand years and more.
The ancient Britons may have launched their coracles from the sheltered beaches
and the Romans are thought to have had a watch-tower on Berry Head overlooking
the sea route from Lyme Bay to the Southwest. Certainly fishing has been the lifeblood
of the community since medieval times and Brixham fishermen were known to be supplying
the London markets in the 18th century. There are many stories of smuggling in
Brixham with evidence as early as 1645 when the Customs House Officer reported
a find of tobacco. In the 1850s Brixham’s enterprising smugglers took advantage
of a cholera epidemic to smuggle out a booty of tobacco and brandy in coffins.
In 1688, Brixham was the cradle of the Bloodless Revolution. Prince William of Orange landed at the port and went on to claim the throne as King William III. The 300th Anniversary was celebrated in July 1988 with a week of festivities. H.M. The Queen and H.R.H. The Duke of Edinburgh joined in the celebrations and stayed in the Bay overnight onboard the Royal Yacht Britannia. A commemorative statue of Prince William of Orange overlooks the harbour in Brixham.
Brixham's Heritage Fleet
Brixham’s
fascinating maritime heritage is evident all around the town, from the new and
old fish markets to the Fishermen’s Mission and Battery gardens overlooking the
Bay. Today the port remains one of England’s biggest fishing ports with the daily
catch sold at the busy market in the early hours. The large fleet of beamers and
day boats land fresh Dover sole, plaice, lemon sole, lobster, crab, scallops &
black mussels from Elberry Cove.
In the port’s early days of course the fleet was under sail and the design of Brixham’s Sailing Trawlers became famous all around Europe. Today some of the original vessels have been restored and can bee see sailing around the Bay or moored in the Harbour on the Town Pontoon. Pilgrim, Vigilance, Provident, Keywadin, Golden Vanity and Regard are based in the port and offer training trips and charters including short day and evening cruises.
Part of the Brixham Heritage Festival, sailing trawler races have taken place in Torbay since 1851 and are always fiercely contested. This distinctive Brixham celebration brings the town to life, thanks to a group of dedicated enthusiasts and restoration trusts getting together in 1997 and making the race one of the highlights of the traditional sailing calendar.
Today, traditional vessels of all shapes and sizes make their way to Brixham for the event and compete in a variety of classes. The blue riband event sees the sailing trawlers of over 40 tons competing for the King's Cup, originally presented to Brixham by King George V in 1914.
Berry Head Country Park
Berry Head Country Park is Torbay's most important heritage and wildlife site. It is the main recreation area for the town of Brixham . Certain areas of the site are kept wild and remote so that wildlife can exist undisturbed. Programmes of walks and interpretation are organised to let people know about the conservation importance of the site.
Live pictures of the guillemots are relayed to the Visitor Centre and staff can zoom in on individual birds to see them feeding their young, or to record their first leap into the sea. A greater horseshoe bat colony is based in the old quarry. This species of bat is declining at an alarming rate across the country and so each colony is carefully monitored. Greater horseshoes depend on traditional farmland and especially cattle-grazed pasture - because they love to eat dung-beetles, and dung-beetles love cow-pats!
Even without all the wildlife a visit to Berry Head should be on everyone’s list. It has the atmospheric remains of three Napoleonic forts built to guard this strategic Headland, some interesting navigation kit (any airline pilot will tell you that Berry Head is a key international flight navigation point) and absolutely stunning views across Tor Bay to the north and Start Bay to the Southwest. It’s lighthouse is something of a record breaker as it is said to be the highest – over 200 feet above sea level, the lowest – the light is only 6 feet over the ground, and the smallest in Britain but with a beam that can be seen twenty miles away.
Holiday accommodation - Where to Stay Brixham - English Riviera
Hotels in Torquay, self-catering Torquay, Bed and Breakfast in Torquay
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Tel: 01803 782338
