We’re lucky to have a warm microclimate in Torbay, that allows palm trees to grow, we have one in our courtyard! There are no less than nine sandy beaches and extremely high standards of water quality. Torbay is the holder of three European Blue Flags, more than any English resort.
There’s lots to do in Paignton whatever the weather! Nearby you’ll find Paignton Zoo, Living Coasts, and of course, the beach which offers a range of water sports and boat trips. The town centre is a short walk from the apartments and there’s plenty of cafes, restaurants, pubs and shops within easy walking distance. Don’t forget to try a famous Devon cream tea or some fresh fish and chips (but watch out for the seagulls!)
You can catch the Dartmoor heritage steam train from Paignton station, which takes you on a round trip to Dartmouth. You take the steam train from Paignton to Kingswear and go to Dartmouth , stopping off at Greenway House and then take a relaxing cruise along the River Dart. It’s almost like being on the Hogwarts Express!
Paignton is also easily accessible to both Exeter and Plymouth via the A38 and Great Western Railway.
For a relaxing experience, leave your car at the apartment and see the Bay from a different perspective. There are regular ferries which connect Paignton, Brixham and Torquay, the departure point is a short walk from your apartment to the harbour.
Living Coasts in Torquay is right on the coast and you can mingle with the penguins, get up close to the otters, octopus and seals. Walk with the African and Macaroni penguins at Penguin Beach and catch an entertaining feeding time talk.
You may also like to visit the prehistoric Kents Cavern in nearby Torquay. Kents Cavern is one of the most important Stone Age sites in Europe. Travel back through time to a period when the cave was home to ancient humans, sheltering from extreme weather, making fires, shaping tools, eating scallops and hunting Ice Age animals. As you walk through the labyrinth of caverns, you’ll be surrounded by 400-million-year-old marine rocks and spectacular stalagmites and stalactites.
Torre Abbey, established in 1196, is a museum of history and art housed in a ancient scheduled monument. You can wander through the art exhibitions and discover 800 years of history in what was the wealthiest monastery in England prior to Henry VIII and his dissolution. You can also learn about the plants that inspired Agatha Christies murder mysteries in the Poisons Garden. Theatre nights and comedy nights are also held here.
Maybe you fancy a nautical experience. Brixham is the beating heart of England’s seafood coast. It is a traditional Devon fishing town with a large harbour and multi-coloured fishing cottages. It has the Golden Hind, Heritage Museum or you could just take a walk at Berry Head and take in the spectacle coastal views and maybe see a dolphin.
Brixham is also home to five heritage trawlers which you can book a trip on. Kayaking or a wildlife boat trip or maybe you want to catch your own supper on one of the many fishing expeditions, dependent upon the weather of course!
If you’re a fan of a stately home or a beautiful garden, there’s plenty of National Trust properties nearby, including Agatha Christie’s home at Greenway, which is only 5 miles away. Greenway house and gardens was Agatha Christies holiday home. The house is just as it was in Agatha’s day. You can visit the room where she read her latest book to her family each Christmas Day. You can view the family’s collections, then stroll through the beautiful grounds and take in views of the stunning River Dart and visit the site of one of her murders!
If you prefer your landscapes more rugged, Dartmoor is just a short car journey away, or there’s many stunning coastal paths to walk from Torquay to Brixham, which we’re sure any dogs will enjoy!
Or way not tackle some of the 630 miles of the South West Coast Path with it’s superb coastline which makes up the longest National Trust Trail in the U.K.
The heritage, wildlife, geology and scenery are truly inspirational; every day, walking brings stunning new experiences.
