photo: Wikimedia, Derek Harper
Longing for a luxury beach holiday with a wide selection of activities to choose from?
You might be surprised to learn that Torquay, located in southwest Devon along what is referred to as the English Riviera, is such a place. Famous for it’s beaches and literary attractions you can easily find luxury accommodations in Torquay.
With a year-round mild climate and scenery that may trick you into thinking you’re on the Mediterranean coast, Torquay became a popular tourist spot in Victorian times when the railroad made getting there much more accessible. With over twenty-two miles of coastline and a UNESCO geopark, a lively pier, marina, and international harbor, what more could you ask for of a beach location?
photo: Wikimedia, David Dixon
Torquay offers a variety of beaches and activities. Here are a few you can try:
Maidencombe Beach in the north of Torquay. This beach is not easy to access, but worth the effort for the excellent sea views.
Watcombe offers beautiful sandy beach for sun worshippers.
Photo: Wikimedia, Derek Harper
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. There’s also the cliff rail if you don’t fancy too much physical exertion.
Anstey’s Cove is a small beach with sparkling blue water and a heavily wooded area behind the beach. When you get tired of lying in the sun, you can hike from Torquay to Babbacombe. The coastal path is a great place to observe nature and just breathe in the fresh, clean sea air.
photo: Wikimedia, Derek Harper
If you’re traveling with your family, kids will love the Living Coasts, a coastal zoo where the animal’s natural habitat is recreated. There are penguins, seals, otters, and many other marine species.
Also not to be missed in Torquay:
Kent’s Caverns, a spectacular natural cave providing evidence that people and animals have explored these caves for hundreds of thousands of years. It’s also located within the Global Geopark. It is the most important prehistoric cave dwelling in Britain.
Photo: Wikimediacommons
Kents Cavern is located on the coast of south Devon.
Kents-cavern.co.uk
Torquay was also the home of the famous crime mystery writer Agatha Christie, and many people come each year for the Agatha Christie Festival. And if you really love a good mystery and a bit of exercise combined, don’t miss the Agatha Christie mystery walk. I totally want to do this! http://www.bbc.co.uk/devon/out
For detailed up-to-date information visit the festival website Agatha Christie Festival.
