This luxury holiday home enjoys one of the most prestigious residential addresses in Torquay, surrounded on three sides by the sea on Livermead Head, with an easterly outlook over the busy waters of the Bay, with Torquay to the north and Paignton and the busy fishing port of Brixham to the south. The three towns each offer something different to the visitor – it’s no wonder the English Riviera has been a popular destination with holidaymakers since Victorian times.
Torquay in enjoying something of a rennaissance with British visitors, and is in the middle of a period of major development and investment. But the same things which have always attracted travellers still hold true: sun, sand and a sense of fun. While humans are thought to have resided in Torquay since prehistoric times, as suggested by the discovery of an upper jaw bone believed to be from the oldest human remains in Europe at Kents Cavern, the arrival of the Great Western Railway in the mid-1800s, pioneered by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, opened up the Bay to the wider public. Soon enough Torquay developed into the destination of choice for those unable to get to the South of France. The grand villas built to welcome the visitors are now mostly hotels, among them the recently refurbished Gleneagles Hotel, the inspiration behind Fawlty Towers and John Cleese’s maniacal host, Basil.
Torquay remains very much a seaside resort and its heartbeat is the picturesque harbour. Lined with a good mix of cafes, bars and top-class restaurants, it leads round to Living Coasts, a zoo of the sea featuring wildlife found in Britain’s waters and a new crocodile swamp. Further on are the popular towns and beaches of Babbacome, St Marychurch and Maidencombe.On the south side of the harbour is Princess Theatre and from the nearby Princess Pier you can look across the water to Torre Abbey Sands and around the Bay to the sheltered coves of Meadfoot and the rock pools at Corbyn Head.
Paignton, the middle of the three Torbay towns, hosts one of England's largest zoos and offers all the traditional attractions of a seaside resort with a sandy beach, pier, amusements, a thriving theatre, children's rides and candy floss sellers. Paignton is a lively spot in season and hosts many summertime attractions on the green, between the town and the seafront, and in the holiday parks which each year attract thousands of visitors. Paignton also has an attractive but little-known harbour, where you can watch the world go by, away from the crowds.
Nestled at the far end of the Bay, Brixham is home to one of the largest fishing fleets in Europe. It is still very much a traditional working port, but attracts thousands of tourists annually, drawn by its quiet charm and small, interesting shops. Above the town is the Berry Head nature reserve, a site of special scientific interest and a great spot from which to view the whole of Torbay.
There are many other attractions only a short drive away, such as the proud naval town of Dartmouth, Cockington country park, the thriving transition town of Totnes, and seaside resorts of Teignmouth and Dawlish. The historic city of Exeter, offering excellent shopping facilities and wide choice of restaurants, is only a 30 minute drive away.
