The English Riviera is the jewel in the South West of England crown. It has spectacular scenery, sands and rock pools for the young and adventures for everyone, with paint balling, yacht schools and even sample diving with a “TRY DIVE”, plus all the traditional holiday attractions including the newly erected balloon which rises 400feet above Torquay to give you a stunning view of the area. Golf, sailing, walking, cycling – if you want an active holiday there’s plenty to keep you on the go.

With many interesting walks for those who want a peaceful holiday, the coastal path is ready and waiting for those who like to get out and about and view the 22 miles of beaches and cliffs that frame Tor Bay.

Brixham is a quaint traditional fishing village and is also a working port – the biggest fishing port in England – but it is also where King William of Orange landed in 1788. Visit the town on Thursdays in the Summer and meet the Brixham Buccaneers or come any day to go round a replica of the Golden Hind, eat fresh caught Brixham fish at the Poopdeck Restaurant or sit on the quay and watch the boats come in and out of the harbour. Visit Berry Head Nature Reserve run by Torbay Coast & Countryside Trust that is helping to preserve the Bay’s cliff walks and wildlife.

Visit Greenway, the peaceful retreat for many years of world famous crime-writer Agatha Christie who was born in Torquay. This recently acquired National Trust property on the banks of the River Dart, can be accessed best by river boat or bus trip.

Agatha Christie also used to visit Cockington Court, a Georgian manor house that now houses craft workshops where you can buy original pieces of art and watch glass objects being blown in front of your eyes. Enjoy lunch there or sit in the sun and have a Devon cream tea. Cockington Court is to be found just inland from the sea between Torquay and Paignton in Cockington a picturesque village with thatched cottages and tea rooms and an Edward Lutyens designed public house. Stroll along the seafront and through the meadows or take a horse drawn carriage if you want to leave the car behind.

Babbacombe Bay is home to a funicular railway, Bygones Museum, the Model Village, Babbacombe Theatre and the beautiful Babbacombe Downs with views across to Exmouth. While you’re there you can shop in St Marychurch pedestrian shopping precinct. On the way to Babbacombe from Torquay is Torquay Museum and Kents Cavern where pre-historic caves can be found. Kents Cavern and the whole Torbay area now forms part of the Englsih Riviera Geopark and is a World Heritage site.

Between Torquay and Brixham is Paignton with its pier and green, multiplex cinema, Pirates Crazy Golf and Palace Theatre. Take a steam railway trip from Paignton station to Kingswear and cross the River Dart by ferry to Dartmouth or visit Oldway Mansion, built by the Singer family of sewing machine fame. Just outside Paignton on the Totnes road is Paignton Zoo, a conservation and environmental park, great for a family day out, and there is also the Quaywest water park at Goodrington. There is a working organic farm at Occombe just off the ring road with farm shop, nature trails and restaurant. At the end of July it’s Torbay Summer Carnival week and half way through August is Children’s Week with a myriad of activities for children of all ages.

While you’re here, why not explore the surrounding area. Torbay is just a short drive to the historic town of Exeter with its Roman walls and medieval cathedral but it also boasts a brand new shopping centre in Princesshay. And in the other direction is Plymouth with the Hoe of Francis Drake fame, the National Marine Aquarium and the Barbican from where the Pilgrim Fathers set sail for America on the Mayflower.

Dartmouth can be reached by boat or train or you can cross the River Dart on the ferry. As well as beautiful gardens and crooked little streets full of interesting shops, there are wonderful river views all overlooked by Dartmouth Royal Naval College with its royal connections.

Dartmoor, one of Britain’s largest National Parks can be accessed from several different points – and contains many places worth going to see – Castle Drogo, Dartmoor Prison, Becky Falls, Widecombe in the Moor to name but a few, as well as spectacular scenery where you can picnic and walk see Dartmoor ponies roaming freely across hundreds of acres of wild moorland scattered with rocky tors.

And in the evening there are theatres, cinemas, pubs and clubs with live entertainment across Torbay that means that your day doesn’t have to finish when the sun sets. Eat at home, get a takeaway or sample a different cuisine every night in the range of international restaurants. The choice is yours!

An exclusive scheme, run in conjunction with local businesses and attractions, offers visitors to TSCA member establishments a discount leaflet which can save you and your family money at various attractions, restaurants and on boat and theatre trips.