I became intrigued by Torquay (pronounced TOR KEE), years ago when doing research on the English Riviera. Yes, England has its very own Riviera with a temperate year round climate, palm trees, and sparkling blue waters breaking on sandy beaches.
The area, also known as Tor Bay, became popular during the Victorian era when the railroads made it easy for city dwellers to head to the coast for holidays. Many wealthy Londoners built elegant Victorian homes and gardens around the area which includes the towns of Paignton and Brixham. In my opinion, Torquay has the prettiest beaches and harbor.
Torquay harbor
Located on the English Channel in southeast Devon, Torquay has a lot more than beaches to interest the curious traveler. Keep reading for my suggestions on how to spend a great day in Torquay.
Torquay was the home of Agatha Christie
Let’s begin with Torquay’s most famous local icon, the Queen of Crime, Agatha Christie. Hundreds of people travel to Torquay each year to learn more about her life and discover the place she called home. The Agatha Christie mile is an easy walk around Torquay that takes you past a new sculpture of Dame Agatha sitting on a bench by the harbor with her dog Peter at her feet. You’ll also see the hotel where she spent the night with her first husband, the Torquay Town Hall where she was a volunteer nurse during WWI and several other stops. I did some of this by foot and some by car to save time.
Greenway
To see a more personal side of Christie, you must visit Greenway, her holiday home which she purchased for a mere 6000 pounds at a time when large country homes were not in fashion anymore. Christie called Greenway “the loveliest place in the world.” After your visit let me know what you think.
Now managed by the National Trust, it’s still a beautiful place and filled with many treasures and collectibles of Agatha’s and her family. There’s also a nice hike down to the boat house where you can enjoy refreshing views of the River Dart. Don’t miss this, it’s completely worth it. You should be able to complete a tour of the house including walking to the boat house in about two hours. Stop in the gift shop to purchase one of her books and have it stamped Greenway.
Which beaches should you visit in Torquay?
Torquay offers twenty-two miles of stunning coastline and a UNESCO Global Geopark, a lively pier and international marina. What more could one ask of an English beach vacation ?
Maidencombe Beach is on the northern end of Torquay. Access is via a pretty steep path and it is not wheelchair accessible. While it’s not easy to access, it is worth the effort for the clear waters and excellent views.
Watcombe offers a beautiful sandy beach for sun worshippers.
Oddicombe Beach is a sheltered sandy beach where you can hire chairs and umbrellas for relaxing or hike to the top of the cliffs for a bit of cardio.
Anstey’s Cove is a small beach with sparkling blue water and a heavily wooded area behind the beach. You have to walk down a slightly steep path and some steps to get to this cove. It will probably take about 10-15 minutes to hike down depending on how nimble you are. There’s also a good cafe at beach.
Babbacombe Beach has pristine waters and stunning coastal views. Take a stroll along the Downs, the highest promenade in England. Babbacombe has some nice hotels with beach views and good lookout spots if you just want to sit up top and take it all in. There’s also the cliff rail if you don’t fancy too much physical exertion.
Kents Cavern
Kent’s Cavern are spectacular natural caves providing evidence that people and animals have explored these caves for thousands of years. It’s also located within the Global Geopark. Kents Cavern is the most important prehistoric cave-dwelling in Britain.
Photo: Wikimediacommons
