Torquay Tourist Attractions
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Built on seven hills, the "Queen of the English Riviera", as Torquay is also called, owes its development to the Napoleonic Wars. In anticipation of a French landing, troops were stationed here and houses built for their families.Torquay's situation, sheltered by red cliffs and wooded hills, favors the growth of subtropical plants, and the town's parks and gardens are a feast to the eye, with palms and other magnificently-colored Mediterranean vegetation. Around the busy harbor, into which numerous yachts as well as ferries from Alderney and Guernsey sail in summer, there are many Victorian buildings, most of which were built on the initiative of the Palk family between 1820 and 1860. Higher Terrace, Vaugham Parade and Hesketh Crescent were founded by Jacob Harvey and his sons in the mid-19th century.
Torre Abbey
There are few remains of earlier periods in Torquay apart from the ruins of Torre Abbey, a Premonstratensian abbey founded in 1196. Only the gatehouse (about 1320), the remains of the chapterhouse and the foundations of the church have survived. The municipal art gallery is housed in the former tithe barn, known as the Spanish Barn after a frigate belonging to the Spanish Armada was wrecked off the coast in 1588 and its crew were held prisoner here.Period furnished rooms and an Agatha Christie collection are key pieces in the gallery.
Cockington
A delightful contrast to Torquay's Victorian town center is provided by the old-fashioned suburb of Cockington, with its tiny thatched cottages, an old village smithy (14th century), weaving works and a manor house; those with sufficient time should experience the pleasure of riding to this village in a horse-drawn carriage.
Beach & Cliff Walks
As well as the main beach Torre Abbey Sands, those of Babbacombe and Oddicombe are most popular.Refreshing cliff walks lead from Torquay to Anstey's Cove and Peak Tor Cove.
Babbacombe Model Village
Standing in grounds of 5 acres/2ha Babbacombe Model Village (scale 1:12) has more than 400 miniature buildings constructed in English styles ranging from traditional thatched cottages to modern town houses.
Kents Cavern
Kent's Cavern, two dripstone caves with strangely shaped stalactites, is of particular interest because the remains of what were probably Britain's oldest inhabitants were discovered here. Some of the finds are displayed in the Torquay museum.
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Brixham
The colorful fishing harbor of Brixham has succeeded in preserving its old charm. Accompanied by the shriek of seagulls, fishing boats continue to return here with their catch, while pilot boats come and go and pleasure craft await passengers.
British Fisheries Museum
The British Fisheries Museum in Old Market House near Brixham harbor documents the development of trawlers and trawl fishing; the museum also contains a replica of the "Golden Hinde", a frigate captained by Sir Francis Drake. Sailors' yarns and smuggling stories are recounted in the local seafaring museum.
Agatha Christie Room
Agatha Christie spent Christmas Eve 1914, her wedding night, in the famed Grand Hotel in Torquay. The "Queen of Crime" was born in Torquay more than 100 years ago. In the manor house next to Torre Abbey a room has been furnished with Christie memorabilia, including an old typewriter, photographs, old furniture and her own bibelots.
Bygone's
Bygone's brings the past to life in four attractions. Shop and stroll along a recreated Victorian Street, explore railway exhibits, a miniature fantasyland, military collections and a Walk-Through Trench Experience.
