Location

Torquay, in the south west of England, has been one of the UK's top holiday destinations since Victorian Times when the gentry promenaded, bathing huts were wheeled down to the beaches and anyone who was anyone had an attractive villa overlooking the sea.
 

It was the Victorians who first named Torquay the English Riviera as the famous seven hills provided the backdrop to a waterfront scene that matched anything found on the French Riviera.  The Victorian legacy remains to this day with sparkling white villas perched on the verdant hilltops, beautiful gardens around the seafront and elegant facades along the main streets.

 
Torquay has evolved from its Victorian heritage and is now a vibrant and forward thinking resort attracting visitors of all interests. 
Along the 22 miles of English Riviera coastline are nineteen beaches and coves. Some, close to Torquay town centre are wide, open stretches of sand with beach facilities such as cafes, beach huts and watersports. Many are smaller and more secluded.  Several of the beaches hold coveted awards for cleanliness and water quality.  Stretching from the South side of Brixham to Maidencombe, the coast path around the Bay offers excellent and varied walking, with circular or point-to-point walks, each having spectacular sea views and an exotic range of flora and fauna.  The climate belongs somewhere much further south and there are opportunities for surfing, water-skiing, kiteboarding, swimming, diving, sailing, angling and many other recreational activities.  
Torquay is also a place to relax, soak up the atmosphere and take in the scenery, whether in the parks or on the beach.  The waterfront is the focus of life in the town. Here you'll find the palm-lined promenade, seafront gardens, a lively harbour and an international marina. The new Living Coasts attraction adds to the variety of the new waterfront and the illuminated bridge is a great backdrop to a relaxing evening drink. There is an abundance of pavement cafes, pubs and restaurants with good quality shops and a host of attractions to suit every interest.  Torquay also has a thriving nightlife with a rich variety of evening entertainment provided throughout the Bay all year round.