Attractions Nearby Torbay, Day Trips and Excursions

(Brixham / Paignton / Torquay - Torbay, Devon, England, UK)

The list of attractions based in Devon is quite simply enormous and a very good reason for holiday makers staying in Torbay to indulge in some memorable day trips. Many of the attractions around Torbay are of a coastal nature, with nearby seaside resorts including the towns of Dawlish, Exmouth, Salcombe, Seaton, Sidmouth and Teignmouth.

The popular tourist destination of Dartmouth is located approximately 29 km / 18 miles to the south of Torbay and lies alongside the tidal estuary of the River Dart. Best reached by taking the Paignton and Dartmouth railway to Kingswear, this town offers a number of enticing attractions, such as a 600-year-old medieval fortress, the family friendly Woodlands Park, the famous Newcomen Engine and Bayards Cove, where in 1620 the Mayflower and Speedwell once docked during their historical journey to the New World.

General Information

At under an hour away, the attractions of Plymouth are within easy reach of Brixham, Paignton and Torquay, and come in the form of Buckland Abbey, Saltram House and the neighbouring Dartmoor Wildlife Park, as well as the cafes and shops distributed around the Barbican and Hoe.

A significant proportion of tourists come to Plymouth each year to check out the exceptional National Marine Aquarium, which has been opened since 1998 and features an underwater tunnel, sharks and shoals of mackerel and cod. In the summer, Plymouth plays host to many exciting events and each August, the British Fireworks Championships, Flavour Fest and World Powerboat Championships (British Grand Prix) all tend to draw enormous crowds.

The city of Exeter is even closer to Torbay and is famous for its striking cathedral, which is officially named the Cathedral Church of St. Peter and dates back to the middle of the 13th century. Other attractions in the Exeter area include the family friendly Crealy Great Adventure Park, the Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery (RAMM) and the Quay House Visitor Centre, together with the Princesshay shopping centre.

To the north-east of Torbay and approximately 85 km / 53 miles away is the popular coastal town of Lyme Regis, where thousands of tourists come each year to search for fossils beneath the crumbling limestone cliffs. Head directly north and in just under two hours you will come upon the twin seaside attractions of Lynton and Lynmouth, which also reside in Devon, on the northerly side of Exmoor.