Attractions
BriarfieldsEvents Callendar
The Bay has a full diary of exciting events and festivals covering the whole year. From the annual Pirate Fesival to a Walking Festival you will find something for everyone.
Check ot The English Riviera Website to see the full list.
Torre Abbey
Situated a short walk from The Briarfields you can find Torre Abbey, an archaeological site of national importance set withn 18 acres of stunning gardens and parklands.
Built in 1196 the extent of its survival makes Torre Abbey the best-preserved medieval abbey in Devon and Cornwall. Henry VIII closed the monastery in 1539, thereafter some of the buildings were adapted for use as a private house. It houses more tha 600 works of art from the 18th century up to the present day.
Babbacombe Model Village & Gardens and Babbacombe Cliff Railway
Babbacome Moel Village set in 4 acres of award winning gardens which provide the idyllic setting for hudreds of models and scenes. The minature world is full of fun characters and hidden gems and appeals to the young and old alike.
Whilst in the area, why not visit the Babbacombe Cliff Railway, an original working funicular built in 1926, it links the top of Babbacombe Downs, the highest clifftop promade in England, down to Oddicombe Beach.
Steam Trains & Boat Trips
As featured on Channel 5's Great Railway Journeys, you can take the steam train along the coast, linking Paignton with Dartmouth. The line travels alongside he beach at Goodrington sands, through the woods of Long Wood and along the River Dart to Kingswear. The train crosses three Brunel designed viaducts.
You can combine the Paignton - Kingswear steam train with a circular cruite on the River Dart or take the award winning Round Robin and visit the towns of Paignton, Dartmouth and Totnes travelling on a steam train, a river boat and a bus.
Dartmouth
Situated on the west bank of the pictureseque River Dart, Dartmouth has a rich maritime heritage and is home to the Brittania Royal Naval College, which overlooks the town. Dartmouth has numerous festivals and events taking place throughout the year. There are some great activities and attractions in and around Dartmouth, including river cruises, steam trains, a paddle steamer, the ruins of the 14th centuary Dartmouth Castle and Dartmouth Museum. The narrow streets offer a wide range of artisan craft shops and galleries and plenty of coffee shops restaurants and bars.
Greenway
Agatha Christie called Greenway the 'loveliest place in the world'. Agatha Christie, or Mrs Mallowan as she was known locally, is Torquay's most famous daughter. She bought Greenway in 1938 and continued to own it up until her death in 1976.
Agatha and her family were extensive collectors and each room in the house is full of original items collected and brought to Greenway from her childhood home or archaeological digs with her second husband Max. Greenway also inspired a murder mystery or two and featured in Dead Mans Folly, (with the ITV adaptation of Poirot's 'Dead Man's Folly' filmed on location at Greenway).
Whether you are an avid Christie fan or not, the house is well worth a visit for its Georgian splendour, walled gardens and riverside woodland, the house and gardens at Greenway are a peaceful and relaxing place to visit
Totnes
Totnes is a historic market town on the River Dart, set on a steep hill it has one of the best preserved examples of a Norman motte and bailey castles in England. The Totnes locals pride themselves on bieng a little different and it has an international reputation for its lively and diverse community and relaxed atmosphere. There are plenty of boutiques, craft shops and eateries many with a alternative vibe.
Burgh Island
Burgh Island is an iconic South Devon landmark famed for its links to Agatha Christie, it featured in two of her books "And then there were none" and Poirot mystery "Evil Under the Sun". The Art Deco Hotel built in 1929 and is separated by a tidal path from the mainland at Bigbury on Sea. At high tide the strip of land is completely covered and is only accessible via the unique Sea Tractor
Salcombe
Situated about one hour South of Torquay and nestled on the banks of the Kingsbridge estuary, Salcombe is one of the prettiest towns in South Devon. The whole area is a Marine Site of Special Scientific Interest, a Marine Local Nature Reserve and an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Plenty of walks around the area, and watersports galore. In August, Salcombe holds the Salcombe Town Regatta which is a week long event full of activities to suit the whole family, with fireworks on the Thursday evening.
The town itself has a plethora of boutique style shops, local art galleries and gift shops and plenty of places to eat many selling lcoal products. Why not check out the Salcombe Dairy Ice-cream or the award-winning Salcombe Gin - both have shops and distillery where you can sample and buy.
