Top 10 Things To Do in Torquay

1. Agatha Christie’s Birthplace

The world’s most famous crime writer was born here, and you’ll find plenty of local attractions such as Torquay Museum’s dedicated gallery and  Torre Abbey’s Potent Plants Garden with links to the ‘Queen of Crime’.  Each September, to mark her birthday, the International Agatha Christie Festival hosts entertaining live events, talks and themed activities with a literary twist, attracting fans from all over the world. Take the Agatha Christie Literary Trail and discover the local landmarks including the prehistoric caves at Kents Cavern, that inspired her stories and characters.

2. Top Class Entertainment  

There’s a vibrant night-time scene with a casino, bingo hall, cinema, night clubs and two theatres. The Princess Theatre occupies a prominent spot along the seafront promenade, and hosts popular touring musicals, star-studded west end shows, famous names from the world of music, stage and screen plus home grown talent. The Little Theatre,  a quaint and quirky venue inside a converted church delivers an entertaining programme of musicals, plays and amateur dramatic productions.

3. Boat Trips and Outdoor Adventure

It’s a naturally inspiring place with the English Riviera’s breath-taking landscape attracting UNESCO Global Geopark status. Picture-perfect sights are around every corner and what better way to see them than from the water. Boat trips, fishing excursions and wildlife cruises all start from Torquay’s picturesque harbour.  A 30-minute boat trip on the Western Lady Ferry will take you to the fishing town of Brixham or try the Dartmouth Day Cruise if you fancy venturing further afield.  If you’re feeling more adventurous there’s SouthWest Rib Rides for thrilling speedboat rides and jet ski safaris and WeSUP for paddleboarding. Whilst Torquay Marina adds a cosmopolitan feel with its year-round base for yachts and sailing boats.

4. Sightseeing Trips

The delightful Torquay Land Train weaves its way through the town centre and along the seafront, stopping at popular landmarks. Climb aboard an open top double decker bus with The English Riviera Sightseeing Tours for a fun journey around the bay with entertaining commentary or enjoy the ultimate indulgence with Prestige Tours - Vintage Cream Tea Experience.  

5. Explore the Area

The English Riviera’s 22-mile beautiful bay forms part of the South West Coast Path. It’s the ideal terrain for walkers of all abilities with stunning, dramatic scenes all around you.  The English Riviera Guided Walks offer group and private tailored walking tours. It’s a dog friendly resort too, so there’s plenty of outdoor space for you and your hound to explore.  Meander along the self-led Agatha Christie Mile to discover seven unique plaques and 12 places that were inspirational in her life and writing.

6. Award Winning Beaches

The English Riviera has a mild climate and an impressive 20 top beaches with 10 award winning ones. There’s the family-friendly Torre Abbey Sands, with a sandy beach and shallow, crystal clear water for the little ones to paddle and Beacon Cove, a tiny shingle beach in a secluded and sheltered position is ideal for sunbathing and swimming, and a favourite of Agatha Christie’s. For rock pooling, crabbing and coasteering, Ansteys Cove, is set in a dramatic, hidden and quiet corner of Torquay and paddle boarding at Meadfoot Beach, with its rugged coastline and colourful beach chalets offers unrivalled views of Thatcher’s Rock.

7. Family Friendly Attractions

Take a trip back in time at Kent’s Cavern - Europe’s top Stone Age caves and gateway to the UNESCO Global Geopark, get up close to giant dinosaur figures and fascinating fossils at Dinosaur World or learn about gangsters and notorious serial killers at The Real Crime Museum.  Test your puzzle solving skills at Escape Room Torquay or Golden Palms Amusement Arcade for daytime and evening family fun on the slot machines.  If you’re looking for art, heritage and culture, head to Torquay Museum and Torre Abbey Museum and Gardens.   

8. Restaurants and Cafes

Experience fine dining at The Elephant, Torquay’s Michelin star restaurant, or Number 7 Fish Bistro and Wine Bar and Rockfish for local and sustainable, world class seafood. The English Riviera is known as England’s Seafood Coast so sampling the freshest, locally caught fish is a must for foodies. On the Rocks, Below Decks, and Pier Point offer extensive menus, using local produce, to suit all tastes and budgets, and there’s plenty of world cuisine at Bistrot Pierre, Prezzo,  and Jasmine’s Thai takeaway. Not forgetting the famous Cream Tea experience – enjoyed the Devon way, with cream and then jam on top at Burridges Tea Rooms or Weavers' Cottage Tea Shoppe in the picturesque Cockington village.

9. Pubs and Bars

With over 100 pubs and bars across the entire English Riviera – with many of those in Torquay, you’re spoiled for choice. Whether it’s a night out on the tiles at a trendy cocktail bar or a quiet drink in a traditional country pub or beer garden, you’ll find your favourite tipple awaits and you may discover some new holiday favourites with locally produced craft beers and ales, wines and ciders and speciality gins, made right here in South Devon. Offshore, Rock Garden, Twenty1 , Soho Bar and Cocktail Garden, Revolution and the family friendly, The Green Ginger will give you a taste for the area.

10. Parks and Gardens

Stroll along Royal Terrace Gardens also known as Rock Walk and Princess Gardens  for spectacular sea views, a Mediterranean style atmosphere with a palm tree-lined promenade, manicured flower beds and colourful illuminations. Cockington Village and Country Park has a 450-acre parkland with ornamental lakes, vast woodland, quaint Tudor rose and walled art gardens, Cockington Court manor house with working artists’ studios, glassblowing and blacksmith demonstrations. Torre Abbey Meadows is a vast open space for children to safely run around with crazy golf, tennis and an attractive pond and rock garden at the nearby Italian Gardens.