Named for its sweeping beaches, palm-lined promenades and pleasant micro-climate, this corner of South Devon has a lot to offer groups heading to the coast for a short break.
Prehistoric sites, bustling fish markets, heritage houses and postcard-perfect villages: groups will be kept busy with all the delights of the English Riviera. Torquay and Paignton offer great group accommodation well-placed to see it all, so carve out a few days and discover what makes this pocket of South Devon so special.
Day one: Brixham / Paignton
6:15am: Tour the Brixham Fish Market
The early bird catches the worm… or the fish, if you ask the folk at Brixham Fish Market. If you can cope with the early start, you’ll be rewarded with a fascinating tour that lets you go behind-the-scenes of England’s largest fish market.
After kitting up in white coats and hair nets, your group will explore the fish market, watch the morning auction, learn how fish are sorted and graded, and gain insight into the Brixham Trawler Agents’ (BTA) processes. When the tour ends at 8am, you’ll head next door for a delicious fish breakfast at Rockfish restaurant (also a great choice for group dinners).
10am: Golden Hind
Docked in Brixham’s harbour, groups are welcome on-board the Golden Hind museum ship, a full-size replica of the Tudor galleon that Sir Francis Drake sailed around the world on between 1577 and 1580.
Explore the inside and outside decks, learning how the crew lived and worked on board as well as tales from Drake’s ground-breaking voyage. Special rates are available for pre-booked groups.
Afternoon
2pm: Dartmouth Steam Railway
Starting in Paignton, travel along the Torbay coast through scenic countryside on board a heritage steam locomotive as it makes its way to Kingswear. Hop off and explore the harbourside town and take the five-minute ferry over to Dartmouth - the ferry is included in the train ticket.
The Dartmouth Steam Railway and River Boast Company run several different routes and combined rail and river options, so this could be extended into a full day experience. A dedicated groups team can advise on routes, passes and special rates.
Pack your walking boots
If your group are keen walkers, you’re in the right place. There are 22 miles of South West Coast Path to explore, taking in dramatic sea views, Berry Head Nature Reserve and Devon’s finest coastal scenery. The whole area is a UNESCO-accredited Global Geopark noted for its exceptional beauty.
Evening
7pm: It’s show time
The English Riviera has a good selection of group-friendly theatres. The Princess Theatre in Torquay is the largest and offers a year-round line-up of touring West End musicals, comedy, live music and ballet.
Nearby, the Babbacombe Theatre is known for a fun and eclectic calendar of events, including regular tribute nights ‘starring’ the Spice Girls, Elvis, Tina Turner and more.
Day two: Torquay
Morning
10am: Kents Cavern Prehistoric Caves
Discover the ancient underground world of Kents Cavern, a spectacular natural cave in Torquay used by the earliest humans in Britain, including Neanderthals. With a history of 400 million years, groups can see rare remains of mammoth, woolly rhino and cave bears.
Groups of 15 people or more are offered a private tour, plus there are dining packages available and free coach parking.
12pm: Torre Abbey
Visit Torbay’s most historic building, Torre Abbey, a UNESCO Global Geopark Key Site. Dating back to 1196 and set within 18 acres of garden and parkland, it’s a fascinating attraction housing an extensive art collection, visiting exhibitions, regular events and workshops.
The gardens are a real highlight, with shrubs and trees rarely seen in the UK that flourish in the English Riviera’s micro-climate. Don’t miss the Potent Plants Garden, where beautiful flora hide a sinister secret - many are the sources of the deadly poisons that Agatha Christie, a Torquay native, used to kill off her characters.
Lunch
Enjoy a group lunch at The Offshore Bar & Restaurant, located on Torquay Harbour, offering locally sourced produce and views across the marina.
Afternoon
Being the author’s birthplace, there are plenty of sites in Torquay that have connections to Agatha Christie. Seven of the most significant have plaques and form part of the Agatha Christie Mile, a walkable route through the town created with the help of Rosalind Hicks, Christie’s daughter.
Highlights along the route include Beacon Cove, The Imperial Hotel (which appears in no less than three of her books), and the beautiful Pavilion building. Groups can find a leaflet with a map and information for each location at the town’s visitor centre or online.
Evening
Spend the evening at leisure after a busy day exploring Torquay. Many hotels in the area have excellent restaurants and facilities for groups.
Where to stay
The four-star The Imperial Torquay is one of the Riviera’s most iconic hotels. Overlooking Tor Bay, the property offers excellent facilities for groups, ample coach parking and panoramic sea views.
The Grand Hotel, Torquay has been the resort’s landmark address for over 140 years. Perched above Corbyn Beach opposite Torre Abbey, this elegant Victorian hotel offers 132 individually styled bedrooms and sits just a short walk from the Marina and Harbour.
Livermead Cliff Hotel sits right on the water’s edge, with beaches on either side and private access down to the sea. Sea-facing rooms, secluded gardens and a heated outdoor pool make it a relaxed coastal base, with excellent transport links between Torquay and Paignton.
Day three: Babbacombe
Morning
10am: Babbacombe Model Village
Set in four acres of gardens, Babbacombe Model Village makes a great morning excursion. Groups of 20+ receive discounted admission rates at the attraction which features well-known landmarks alongside hidden gems and playful scenes.
There’s a lot to see - Shakespeare’s Globe, Bath’s Royal Crescent, a mini EastEnders set - in the village that covers 60 years of British history. A 1/12th scale model train runs through the middle of it, and you’ll even spot a fire-breathing dragon. Spend at least a couple of hours here to spot all the quirky details.
12pm: Bygones
Located a five-minute walk from the Model Village, Bygones invites groups to step back in time. The attraction houses over 2,000 historic artefacts in walk-through exhibits with plenty of interactive displays and immersive rooms. Items on display span many decades and range from wartime memorabilia to retro boxes of Persil.
A highlight includes the Victorian Street, a full-scale replica of a typical street with cobblestones, 15 fully stocked shops, there’s even a pub. The street comes to life with live performers and vendors, and keep an eye out for the Queen herself.
Afternoon
2pm: To the seaside
It would be a crime to come the English Riviera and not spend some time at the beach, and groups can arrive in style. The Babbacombe Cliff Railway (featured in the popular TV series, Susan Calman’s Grand Days Out) has been transporting holidaymakers to and from Oddicombe Beach since 1926. The historic shuttle offers spectacular views as it travels up and down the cliff face that runs right up to the water’s edge.
Oddicombe Beach is a Blue Flag bay known for its dramatic setting beneath the red sandstone cliffs. There’s deck chair hire, a beach shop and a highly-rated beach cafe/bar. Or bring a picnic down with you from Hanbury’s Fish & Chips, a staple of the area for over 40 decades.
Evening
7pm: Dinner by the sea
For your final night, dine at the Babbacombe Bay at the Cary Arms & Spa. This traditional inn occupies an enviable spot right on the waterfront, serving quality pub fare with great views.
The inn welcomes groups and has several dining areas, including a sea-view conservatory that can be booked privately for groups of up to 32 people.
For more itinerary ideas in the English Riviera, visit: englishriviera.co.uk.
