Torquay, South Devon
- Known locally as 'Torbados', Torquay is a famous UK holiday resort at the northern end of Tor Bay and is the flagship destination in the English Riviera. Stunning on sunny days. Extraordinary history and geology. Gets super busy in summer months
- Great for boat trips from Torquay Harbour. Ferries run to other major destinations in the English Riviera such as Paington and Brixham
- High number of visitor attractions. Living Coasts, Kents Cavern, Torre Abbey and Torquay Museum are highlights. Torquay Harbour area packed with restaurants, cafes and bars
- Top beaches in the local area and lining Tor Bay
- Superb outdoor activities from watersports to coastal walking. It's fun to combine a ferry trip from Torquay to Brixham returning on the South West Coast Path
- Main photo: Torquay Harbour. Image of the bridge/cill connecting South Pier and Old Fish Quay between the smaller Inner Harbour and larger Outer Harbour
Beautiful, fascinating town overlooking Tor Bay. Great base from which to explore The English Riviera
Torbados is superb. Visitor attractions, boat trips, watersports, restaurants and views. The coast heading east of the town centre is particularly impressive.
Why holiday or weekend break in Torquay?
To help you choose Torquay, we've listed some of the local attractions below.
Tor Bay and Torquay
Torbay/Tor Bay is a remarkable bay running from Thatcher Point and Thatcher Rock (viewpoint over Tor Bay) and Hope's Nose in the north around to Berry Head in the south. The bay is lined with the bustling towns Torquay, Paignton and Brixham.
Torquay Harbour
Torquay Harbour is a great place to people watch. We'd also recommend taking a boat trip out to sea. Ferries run across Tor Bay to Brixham. There's also the famous sea cruise to Dartmouth.
Torquay boat trips and ferries
Tor Bay ferries
Ferries run across Tor Bay to Brixham and Paignton.
Western Lady Ferry Service provides the Western Lady Torquay to Brixham Ferry. In Torquay, the Western Lady Ferry kiosk is by the Western Lady departure point at North Quay. Note that in Brixham, ferries arrive/leave at the Western Lady Ferry departure point on New Pier.
Paignton Pleasure Cruises run ferries between Torquay, Paignton and Brixham. 'We have ticket offices at Torquay, Paignton and Brixham Harbours and Paignton Beach.' Torquay Harbour boarding is at Beacon Quay, Haldon Pier.
Torquay day cruises
Day cruises take you to Dartmouth and the magnificent Dart Estuary. Paignton Pleasure Cruise provides 'Daily Dartmouth Day Cruises. A relaxed 30 mile day trip with beautiful coastal and riverside scenery. See Agatha Christie's house, Philip's famous Shipyard and the Royal Naval College. Enjoy the colourful yachting scene, busy ferries, crabbers and trawlers - perhaps even units of the Royal Navy alongside the Sandquay. Viewing Tor Bay on return. Depart 10.30 am. Return 5.30 pm-ish'.
You can take The Dartmouth Day Cruise from Torquay to Dartmouth and the Dart Estuary. Provided by the Dartmouth Steam Railway and River Boat Company, the boat departs from Torquay and picks up passengers in Brixham before skirting the South Devon coast to Dartmouth. See the Dartmouth Steam Railway and River Boat Company website for detail.
Paignton Pleasure Cruises also offer 'Wildlife Cruises, Fishing Trips, Evening Cruises, Sunset Cruises ... leaving and arriving from Paignton, Torquay and Brixham'.
WeFerry offers The Teignmouth Round Robin from Brixham Harbour. Meet at the Teignmouth Round Robin kiosk at Brixham Harbour. 'The coastal cruise to Teignmouth takes just over a couple of hours, and we call at Paignton Harbour and Torquay Harbour to collect other passengers.' The cruise follows the coastline to Teignmouth. Explore Teignmouth and then take the train to Paignton railway station. Wander across to Paignton Habrour and rejoin the boat to return to Brixham Harbour. Refer to the WeFerry website for detail.
WeFerry also provides the Boat Cruise to Teignmouth, the Fish & Chips Sunset Cruise and Funfish Fishing Trips.
Torquay RIB rides
RibRide Adventure provides RIB rides from Torquay Harbour in the summer months. 'Departing from the historic Torquay harbour we turn seawards along a coast strewn with history and intrigue. Passing London Bridge, a spectacular sea arch, we then head to Daddyhole! View millions of years of history in hundreds of layers of rock on this 1 hour guided tour.'
There are many kiosks at Torquay Inner Harbour/Outer Harbour providing boat trips.
Living Coasts and Torquay
Living Coasts is a uperb coastal zoo overlooking the New Harbour and Marina.
Torre Abbey and Torquay Museum
Torre Abbey is one of the best museums and art galleries in the Westcountry.
Spend a morning or afternoon in Torquay Museum.
Torquay South West Coast Path walk
Take the ferry across Tor Bay from, say, Torquay to Brixham and then walk the South West Coast Path from Berry Head to Thatcher's Rock and Hope's Nose. It's easy walking. Great, long day out with kids.
See our Torquay South West Coast Path Walk listing for more information.
Kent's Cavern and the English Riviera Geopark at Torquay
Kents Cavern is one of the most important prehistoric sites in the UK. It's set within an internationally important Geopark.
Torquay restaurants, pubs and cafes
Restaurants. The Grand Hotel. Rockfish. The Elephant. Number 7 Fish Bistro. The Imperial Hotel. Pier Point Restaurant & Bar.
Pubs. Cary Arms & Spa. The Drum Inn. Harvester Pub & Grill.
Cafes. Living Coasts Cafe. Torre Abbey. Meadfoot Beach Cafe. Anstey's Cove Cafe. Offshore (cafe/bat by Torquay Marina).
Fish & chips. Harbour Fish Cafe & Takeaway. Rockfish.
Torquay beaches
Hope's Nose Beaches.
Beacon Cove.
Torre Abbey Sands.
Torquay watersports
Ski West Watersports. Torquay Wind and Surf Centre. Anstey's Cove Kayak Hire. Torquay Stand Up Paddle Surfing and Kitebuggying School.
The English Riviera
From Torquay, explore Babbacombe, Paignton and Brixham. We'd also suggest heading further afield to Shaldon/Teignmouth on the Teign Estuary, Dartmoor/Kingswear on the Dart Estuary and Salcombe/East Portlemouth on the Kingsbridge Salcombe Estuary.
Photo Gallery
