With no fewer than nine sandy beaches, a famously mild climate, and views over the English Channel, Torquay has been a rather fashionable spot on the English Riviera since the 19th century, when more people started taking family seaside holidays. It still has plenty of Victorian-era spa-town charm and seaside appeal. Before the grand Victorian hotels, with their white facades sprang up, the seafront was awash with guesthouses and B&Bs, and there are still some excellent options if you prefer a more personal style of accommodation. Today there are contemporary hotels too, and some very good pubs-with-rooms, and converted inns on our list of the best places to stay in Torquay.
Before the bucket-and-spade brigade started arriving, Torquay was known for its fishing catch, and it is still a fantastic place for seafood, not to mention the annual Seafood Feast Festival held in September. Its famously mild microclimate with long summer days and mild, wet winters, make this a popular spot for sailors too. But families still flock here — Torquay is a great spot for kids. The numerous beaches include two with European Blue Flag status: Oddicombe Beach and Meadfoot Beach, and the many cabbage palms, bay bushes and pines give the landscape a Mediterranean feel that adds to the holiday atmosphere. Other attractions include Kents Cave, a very significant Stone Age site; an Agatha Christie walk (she was born here); the Torquay Museum, known for its fossils; and the Babbacombe Model Village. Just don't forget to book early if you're planning a summer break. The best places to stay in Torquay fill up fast!