For groups of all sizes looking for the perfect holiday spot, Devon’s English Riviera really fits the bill with a huge range of attractions ideally suited to your needs. You’ll receive a warm welcome at our world-class attractions, which include:
Babbacombe Model Village, Torquay
With its 4 acres of award winning gardens, hundreds of model scenes, vehicles and people, Babbacombe Model Village is one of Europe’s premier model villages. There’s a tearoom (seasonal) plus a shop and nearby restaurants and cafes. Visitors with disabilities are welcomed but there are some steep slopes. Parking is available nearby.
Bygones, Torquay
Bygones is perfect for groups with a life-sized Victorian Street and 3 floors of pure nostalgia. Guided tours are available. The main exhibition on the ground floor is accessible to wheelchairs. The station-themed cafe offers light lunches and cream teas. Coach parking is available free in Hampton Avenue car park.
Torquay Museum
Close to Torquay Harbour the museum has a vast collection of rare, interesting and wonderful objects, some fascinating exhibitions plus a permanent Agatha Christie Gallery - guided tours are available. There is a café plus a gift shop. Coaches may stop outside to set down and return later. There is full disabled access to all the galleries.
Torre Abbey
Along the seafront is Torre Abbey: the English Riviera's most historic building, an Ancient Scheduled Monument dating back to 1196, set within 18 acres of garden and parkland. The museum is home to over 600 works of art from the 18th century through to the present day. Outside you'll find award winning gardens, a glass house and the Agatha Christie Potent Plants Garden.
Cockington Court
Steeped in history, the Manor House at Cockington dates back to the Domesday times. In recent years Cockington Court has undergone extensive renovation to transform the former aristocratic home into office space, inspiring craft studios which visitors can watch as talented crafts-people create their work. The centre is set within an award-winning country park, just a mile from the seafront and a stones throw from the chocolate box village of Cockington.
Paignton Zoo
Paignton Zoo is a world-class, 80-acre wildlife conservation park set in beautiful and extensive gardens with all your favourite animals including lions, tigers and elephants plus many more unusual species. There’s a large restaurant and gift shop. Tailor made group visits are available and there is plenty of parking with drop-off and pickup at the main entrance. It’s reasonably wheelchair and pushchair friendly but there are some slopes.
Dartmouth Steam Railway and Riverboat Company
A ‘must-do’ is the hugely popular steam train that runs from Paignton to Kingswear and Dartmouth along the stunning English Riviera coastline. There is a range of days out including cruises along the beautiful coastline and the River Dart. Disabled customers are welcomed and Paignton, Churston & Kingswear Stations have level access to platforms (see website for further info and for coach parking).
Greenway
A National Trust property, Greenway was once the holiday home of Agatha Christie. With a long history dating back to the 1490s, the house is kept exactly as it was when Agatha lived here. It provides a marvellous insight into the Queen of Crime's life. Outside, the stunning garden leads down to the River Dart, and as Agatha once described it: "the loveliest place in the world". With lots to see and do, Greenway provides the ideal location for group visits.
Coleton Fishacre
With an exotic RHS accredited garden and stylish 1920s house to discover, Coleton Fishacre is a perfect group destination. Travel back in time to the Jazz Age at the holiday home of the D'Oyly Carte family. You can lose yourself in the magical garden: viewpoints give enticing glimpses out to sea, paths weave through glades past tranquil ponds, and tender plants from the Mediterranean, South Africa and New Zealand thrive in the moist and sheltered valley.
Kents Cavern
Kents Cavern is one of Europe’s top prehistoric Stone Age caves with an extensive labyrinth of spectacular and easily accessible caverns open daily all year. Special hospitality packages such as Caves & Cream Tea are available and they also offer combined day trips with other local attractions. There is a gift shop and large restaurant with views. All groups over 20 get a private tour and there is free coach parking on site.
Golden Hind
Groups will love the full size replica of the Golden Hind, a splendid 5-deck museum ship that takes pride of place in Brixham’s beautiful Inner Harbour. Access is via a wooden gangplank so it’s very restricted for wheelchair users but the owner will assist as much as possible. Check website for out of season openings. There are many nearby restaurants and cafes plus a car park nearby with coach spaces.
Grenville House
Grenville House is a long-established outdoor centre in Brixham offering residential and non-residential youth or adult groups for activities such as kayaking, open canoeing, stand up paddle boarding, power boating, indoor climbing, dinghy & yacht sailing and abseiling. Programmes are available for adults or children. Car parking is available nearby.
Theatres
It’s a theatregoers delight on the English Riviera and groups are welcomed at: Princess Theatre with its big West End Shows and touring musicals; Babbacombe Theatre with the best of English variety theatre plus visiting shows; the Palace Theatre with community theatre and visiting acts and The Little Theatre, home to the renowned TOADS Theatre Company with its selection of comedies, classics, thrillers and ground-breaking shows.