Hooray for Torbay

December 16, 2011

Hooray for Torbay

Everyone loves a story of triumph over adversity, so it’s great to read about the determination of Torbay’s tourism bosses to reverse the ailing fortunes of the English Riviera. Visitor numbers to the stretch of South Devon coastline have been steadily declining, but now the council-run English Riviera Tourist Company have vowed to turn the resort around in three years. It’s a big ask, but there’s already a shiny new English Riviera website, a funky palm tree logo and even an iPhone app to attract new blood to the area.

Torbay stretches from Torquay south to Brixham and the windswept Berry Head, taking in Paignton en-route. It’s become known as the English Riviera thanks to its warm(ish) micro-climate, promenade-lined seaside resorts and penchant for palm trees and was once a hugely popular holiday hotspot. Huge and handsome sea-front hotels like The Grand and The Imperial in Torquay are testament to Torbay’s heyday when Agatha Christie famously walked the prom and well-heeled Londoners travelled south for a bit of sea air.

It would be fair to say that in the intervening years Torbay’s resorts have acquired a certain worn charm (not to mention Basil Fawlty), but Torquay, Brixham and Babbacombe are starting to attract a new following, with boutique b&bs popping up all over the place. There are lots of pretty spots to explore away from the beaches too - the very pretty village of Cockington, two miles from Torquay is a lovely spot to spend a weekend.

And that’s not to mention Dartmouth and Dartmoor, both of which are within spitting distance.

Anyway, come New Year I’ll be heading to the English Riviera for a weekend to do my bit. And I think you all should too.



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