Torbay Shopping and Districts

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

Shopping in the English Riviera really does vary greatly around Torbay's three towns. The best selection of shops is to be found within Torquay, although both Paignton and Brixham do also have plenty for shoppers looking to spend their holiday money.

All of the main shopping areas in Torbay are well connected by Stagecoach buses, meaning that many visitors often choose to leave their car at the hotel and therefore eliminate the hassle of parking. The biggest shops and malls in Torbay are open Monday to Saturday, between the hours of 09:00 to 17:30, with reduced hours on Sunday, when shops open at 11:00 and usually close at either 16:00 or 17:00.

Where to Shop

The main High Street in Torquay stretches from the Torre end of the town and past Castle Circus, right down to the vibrant harbourside. Union Street is a particularly pleasant place to shop along this route and is a good place to start.

The Union Square Shopping Centre is to be found off Union Street, next to Castle Lane and Market Street. Union Square is an indoor shopping mall, laid out on just one level and featuring some 25 different outlets. Here there are a number of familiar brands, such as JJB Sports, Monsoon, Peacocks and Wilkinsons, as well as the popular Haldon Fish and Chip Bar.

Nearby and close to Cary Parade / Torbay Road is the Fleet Walk Shopping Centre, which is a large two-storey mall, home to both independent fashion boutiques and names such as Bon Marché, Evans, Laura Ashley, New Look, TK Maxx and Topshop. Just across from Fleet Walk and next to the North Quay is the Torquay Pavilion Shopping Centre, where a choice of stores have stood within this grand historical building for approximately 100 years.

Out-of-town shopping is provided just on the outskirts of Torquay, on Nicholson Road, which is where the Willows is located. Here the biggest chains include Sainsbury's, Next and Marks & Spencer.

When in Torbay, don't restrict your shopping to just Torquay, since Paignton has much to offer in this department as well. The arrangement of shops in Paignton is much less organised, with unexpected stores being distributed around a maze of interconnecting streets with their own identity. Paignton also has a typical High Street arrangement, with shops stretching from the seafront and right into the town centre, along Torbay Road, Esplanade Road, Hyde Road, Palace Avenue and Totnes Road.

At the small harbourside town of Brixham, there are definitely less shopping opportunities, with some outlets lining Fore Street and the roads leading to the actual waterfront. The shops in Brixham are generally very unpretentious, with quality souvenirs, maritime art works and lots of freshly baked scones.