Introducing Torquay & Paignton
If you thought the British seaside holiday was dead, then think again; it’s alive and well along the stretch of coastline between Torquay, Paignton and Brixham collectively known as the English Riviera. Despite the name (and the best efforts of the South Devon Tourist Board to convince us otherwise), this is a long way from St Tropez, but the region does have its peculiar charms – especially if you’ve got a soft spot for amusement arcades, deckchairs and good old-fashioned fish and chips. Queen of the coastline is grand old Torquay, where the Victorian villas and chintzy hotels are stacked up like dominoes above the bay. Just to the west of Torquay is Paignton, the picture of an English seaside resort, complete with a seafront promenade, multicoloured beach-huts and a faded 19th-century pier.
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The tourist office (0870 70 70 010; torbay.tic@torbay.gov.uk; Vaughan Pde; 9.30am-5pm Mon-Sat & 10am-4.30pm Sun May-Sep, 9.30am-5pm Mon-Sat Oct-Apr) sells discounted tickets to local attractions.
Last updated: Feb 17, 2009
