Spend A Day In Brixham

Brixham is a picturesque traditional fishing town on South Devon’s beautiful English Riviera. Life here has always centred around the harbour, where heritage trawlers jostle for space with day boats heading out to sea for the day’s catch, bringing it home daily to Brixham’s famous Fish Market.

Families and couples alike flock to Brixham to enjoy the colourful, quaint fishing cottages, fresh seafood and community atmosphere. With a bustling harbour, independent shops in the town and lots of wide open spaces, there is plenty for everyone to enjoy in beautiful Brixham.

FOR FAMILIES

Is there a little pirate in your brood? Then Brixham is the place for you! With a lot of the town getting into the full pirate spirit, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into Pirates of the Caribbean, right here in Devon!

THINGS TO DO

For pirate-mad families, a trip to Brixham is not complete without boarding the Golden Hind, a full sized replica of one of the most iconic ships from the age of exploration. It has been a feature of Brixham harbour for over fifty years, entertaining and educating thousands of visitors during this time - as well as being featured on many TV programmes and films.

The kids will love to take a dip at Shoalstone Pool, a 53 metre sea water swimming pool situated in a stunning position on Brixham sea front. Parents will enjoy the large open areas to relax in and make the most of the sun. And best of all, it’s free entry.

For a more educational experience in Brixham, learn about our history at Brixham Battery Heritage Museum, a coastal defence museum and education centre. It’s very hands-on with a range of WW2 guns, uniforms and artefacts.

Breakwater Beach is one of the cleanest beaches on the English Riviera. Not only is it a Blue Flag beach, but it has a Combined Seaside (resort) Award and been recommended by the Good Beach Guide. There’s disabled access with adjoining parking facilities, and toilets meaning everyone can enjoy it.

PLACES TO EAT

For those with little one’s in tow, Breakwater Bistro, is a great place to refresh. A family run bistro offering the very best in service, atmosphere and great local produce and drinks plus magnificent panoramic sea views. And being right on the beach means the kids can play to their hearts content whilst you watch them safely from the Bistro’s seating area.

Whether it’s a family celebration, a quick bite for lunch or just a leisurely drink whilst the kids crab on the waterfront, the Prince William is the place to fulfil all your requirements and it’s great value too with fabulous views.

No trip to Brixham would be complete with fish ‘n’ chips. Rockfish, Brixham Fish Restaurant and The Golden Fish are all within a few feet of the harbour. Why not grab a takeaway and sit on the harbourside watching the sights of this quaint little town.

LOOK OUT FOR

Skeletons around the harbour: The whole town gets into the pirate spirit, and has decorated the town accordingly. As you walk from the harbour towards Breakwater Beach, can you spot the skeletons hanging in cages over the water?

Pirate statue at Breakwater Beach: At Breakwater Bistro, can you find Captain Jack Sparrow watching over the Bay?

Middle Street Fish: Take a stroll along Middle Street, with its quirky independent shops and delicatessens and spot the series of fish that decorate the street.

FOR ADULTS

Brixham is a picturesque fishing town, centred around the harbour bowl, with colourful traditional cottages reaching up either side. Seafood lovers will not want to miss Brixham – home of the freshest fish you will ever eat.

THINGS TO DO

Early risers won’t want to miss the opportunity to get a fascinating insight into behind-the-scenes operations at England’s largest fish market with the Fish Market Tours.

Make the most of your visit with a boat trip, get out on the water and up close to seals and dolphins with a Wildlife Sea-fari cruise or try your hand at boat fishing.

Brixham is a hive for quirky independent stores selling things you just won’t find anywhere else. Amble around the streets to find everything from unique paintings in galleries where you can meet the artist, to locally-made Brixham Gin. And, in the summer months, bustling craft markets pop up under the old fish quay. 

PLACES TO EAT

Seafood lovers should try Beamers for a contemporary English menu with seafood being a particular speciality. All the seafood is hand selected from Brixham's Fish Market just over the road, ensuring only the finest, freshest goods are served in the restaurant.

For something a little different, enjoy a slice of Italy in the heart of Brixham with Albero, a Mediterranean inspired eatery focusing on delicious, fresh, locally sourced food served in a warm, comfortable and relaxing environment.

At Berry Head Hotel you can be assured of an unforgettable dining experience with a choice of a la carte restaurant for fine dining, or for a more relaxed environment ‘The View’ Brasserie.

LOOK OUT FOR

Coffin House: Keep your eyes peeled during your trip for Coffin House: the only coffin shaped building in the world. The story goes that when a father was asked for his daughter’s hand in marriage, he said he would rather “see her in a coffin, before she wed you”. The future son-in-law bought the unusual shaped property, renamed it Coffin House and went back to the father. Amazed, the father gave his blessing and the couple wed.

Angel wings:  Brixham is quickly becoming known as an art and culture hub due to the many buildings covered in unique art murals. Throughout the town you’ll find a WW2 mural, a fisherman mural, a pirate mural and the Angel Wings. Found in a narrow alleyway on one of the oldest streets in Brixham is an enormous pair of angel wings. The striking mural is a nod to a key story of Brixham’s history. In 1866 a Great Gale raged upon the quiet fishing town. Fearing for the lives of their loved ones at sea, the women in the town gathered their furniture and mattresses to the shore, setting them alight into a bonfire to guide the trawlers home. 100 lives were lost that day, and it was said that you could almost walk to Paignton upon the wrecked boats in the Bay. The selfless women saved many lives that night and became known as “The Brixham Angels”.

The Vigilance Heritage Trawler: The last remaining sailing trawler in Brixham is called The Vigilance. It moors up on the heritage pontoon in Brixham Marina, just near the Prince William pub. In the 18^th century, Brixham boat builders created faster boats that could fish in deeper waters. These wooden sailing trawlers were copied around the British coast, with more than 3000 built, and a fleet of almost 400 in Brixham.

DOG FRIENDLY

There are plenty of wide open spaces and dog friendly businesses around Brixham. Here’s some of our favourite ways to spend a day in Brixham with dogs.

THINGS TO DO

For well-behaved pooches and their owners, Berry Head National Nature Reserve is a great day out. An internationally-acclaimed heritage site, home to a fascinating variety of wildlife and history with recently-restored Napoleonic War fortifications. Enjoy the stunning views and superb local food at the Guardhouse Café, please be careful though, it is a long drop from the top of the cliff, so best to keep excitable dogs on leads here.

Along the coast path from Berry Head is Sharkham, a headland to the south of St Mary’s Bay. There are open fields for four-legged friends to run about and let off steam. A hidden gem, it is usually a lot quieter than Berry Head, whilst still providing spectacular views out to the coast.

If you prefer a more riverside and country walk, why not try the Galmpton Creek to Greenway walk? This delightful walk is out of the hustle and bustle of Brixham town, and found in the charming village of Galmpton. It will take you through country lanes, open farmland and woodlands with stunning views over the River Dart and will finish at Agatha Christie’s holiday home, Greenway House. It will take roughly an hour, leaving plenty of time to explore the Queen of Crime’s home.

PLACES TO EAT

Brixham is a dog friendly town and it’s not unusual to see pooches sitting outside at bistro tables whilst their family dines al fresco.

For a walk that ends with a scrumptious meal for the humans, and treats for the dogs, The Guardhouse Café on Berry Head is hard to beat. Work up an appetite as you meander the Napoleonic forts and take in the spectacular views and then refresh at this family-run café.

For a dog-friendly pit stop in the middle of Brixham, head to the Old Market House. This restaurant and bar is found opposite the Golden Hind, and the whole downstairs and outdoors seating area is dog friendly.

In the town centre, visit the West County Deli for good-quality, locally sourced food. And they’re dog-friendly! Win-win!

LOOK OUT FOR

As you’re enjoying Brixham with your four-legged friend, make sure you take in the sights.

Man & Boy statue: a walk from the harbour over to Breakwater beach is flat and tarmacked, perfect for pampered pooches who may not like grass! Along the way you’ll spot the Man & Boy statue, a symbol of fishing history and all the fishermen who have worked in Brixham.

Wildlife: In all the dog-friendly walks throughout Brixham, you’ll be sure to spot some wildlife. At Berry Head, keep your eyes peeled for pods of dolphins and flocks of guillemots.

Wooden Carving at St Mary’s Bay: On the coast path in between Sharkham and Berry Head is a wooden carving of a women. Inspired by the statues on fishing boats, not much is known about this mysterious sculpture, but she marks the entrance to the St Mary’s Bay – a popular, yet slightly difficult to get to, dog-friendly beach.