Destination Awards

2021 saw the English Riviera (Torquay, Paignton, Brixham) being awarded many top awards including Torquay as the UK's number one hotspot for staycations, according to TripAdvisor making the English Riviera, situated in South Devon one of the UK’s favourite coastal destinations.  

The seaside town of Torquay was placed first after TripAdvisor revealed that Torquay had seen the biggest year-on-year increase in searches for domestic travel in the summer of 2021. TripAdvisor said: "The small town of Torquay, with its sandy beaches, palm trees and harbour full of yachts could easily make you feel like you’re holidaying in the Mediterranean.” 

Recognising the quality of our beaches Keep Britain Tidy has also awarded Breakwater Beach, Broadsands and Oddicombe Beaches the globally recognised Blue Flag Award, recognising our truly Naturally Inspiring environment.

Award winning accommodation

In 2021 TripAdvisor also awarded 12 awards to accommodation on the English Riviera in its Travellers’ Choice® Best of the Best. The Torcroft B&B scooped the top spot, winning the third best B&B in the world and second in the UK.

In the B&B category, The 25 Boutique and The Elmdene claim seventh and eighth in the UK respectively and 13th and 14th in Europe. The Somerville, Sampford House and Kings Lodge ranks ninth, tenth and 25th in the UK. 

In the Small hotels’ category, Haytor Hotel was awarded the UK’s best-rated small hotel, second in Europe and fourth in the world! The Marstan took sixth in the UK and the Cary Arms was shortlisted for the Boutique Hotel of the Year.  

Award winning restaurants

And we have award winning restaurants too with fine dining at its very best! The multi award-winning Elephant is a Michelin star restaurant, overlooking beautiful Torquay harbour. Simon has won multiple awards for his creative cuisine, and has represented Great Britain in prestigious competitions around the world. 

Being known as England’s Seafood Coast we are also renowned for our award-winning fish and chips with Hanbury’s Fish and Chips Restaurant regularly winning one of the top 5 UK Independent Fish and Chip Restaurants of the Year Awards.

Award winning attractions

And finally, let's not forget our attractions with the prehistoric caves at Kents Cavern an UNESCO Global Geopark heritage site winning Gold in the Devon Tourism Awards.  

The English Riviera is truly a multi–award winning destination and one of the UK’s premier resorts and we look forward to welcoming you to Devon soon.