Being a lover of (almost) all things Sea and British, I decided to explore the English Riviera, the first thing after moving to England. So Torquay it was! I was obviously excited for my first real holiday in Britain, and having read, seen and heard only amazing accounts about the southern coast of Devon, I geared up for a romantic, enchanting experience. And boy, was I NOT disappointed. For those of you who are unfamiliar, Torquay is a gorgeous sea-side town in Devon which offers breath-taking views of the sea and comes with an equally beautiful countryside to appeal to all kinds of travellers. Great events, delicious food and a number of tourist attractions make this year-round holiday destination one of the best coastal vacation spots in the UK.
We decided to visit Torquay in April, despite being warned of chilly weather. Though we had a long, 4-5 hours’ drive and the rains to slow us even further, I did not let the wet and cold English weather dampen my spirits. And all it took was a glimpse of the wonderful Devon coastline, with the setting sun creating a magical backdrop, to drive all our tiredness from the journey away. Within no time after reaching Torquay, we were driving along the harbour, taking in beautiful sights that seemed straight from a dream.
Our home for 3 days, the Somerville Boutique hotel is located in a cosy, little spot surrounded by lush gardens and very close to the harbour, so much so that we immediately decided to include late evening strolls down to the marina, to our plans. If there’s one thing that can truly ruin any getaway, it’s bad accommodation and poor customer service. Thankfully, the Somerville passed the test with flying colours in both these areas. Our gorgeous Victorian room, with its beautiful interiors always felt super-welcoming after a long day of sightseeing.
As much as we wanted to, it was nearly impossible to visit all the amazing sights and attractions in Torquay in just 2 days. So we decided to keep it simple and explore the local area, and only nearby attractions to save time. The first one we visited, which was also the closest and most interesting one was Kents Cavern.
- Kents Cavern
The uphill walk to the Stone Age site was truly refreshing. One of the most striking things about Torquay is just how beautifully contrasted it is. The roads and the houses appear to be from a bygone era, but the modish market place and high streets are perfect to entice the more refined millennials. Not for the claustrophobic, the pre-historic caves at Kents Cavern are a must-see for history and adventure buffs. It’s a Palaeolithic marvel and one of the most recognised tourist attractions of Torquay, one that truly provides a look back in time! The stalagmite and stalactite caves are over 400 million years old and are so well preserved that it’s hard to believe ancient humans and Ice Age animals took shelter in them.
One of the most striking sights in the cave is that of a stone structure that looks just like a human face. Truly, nature is the best sculptor! The group cave tours last approximately an hour and have to be taken officially with a guide as it is prohibited to wander the caves alone. Along with talking about the rich history and very fascinating facts about the caves, the guide also showed us actual remains of ancient humans and animals, some of which became extinct hundreds of years ago. While we didn’t get to experience it, Kents Cavern also hosts regular cave cinema, and you can also hire them for birthday parties or special occasions. How cool is that?
- Torquay Marina
The Torquay marina is a small yet beautiful bay that gives gorgeous views, anytime of the day or night. Lined by small steamers and boats, it wonderfully represents the beauty of Torquay and its singularity. We took lazy strolls to the marina every evening of our short stay and I found something different to enjoy about the place on every occasion. A large number of restaurants and pubs are located just a stone’s throw away from the bay, so it’s the perfect place to go to after a scrumptious meal.
- Meadfoot Beach
The phrase “hauntingly beautiful,” is the best way to describe Meadfoot beach. Just a short drive away from the town centre, this small but beautiful beach was our last stop before we headed back home. A clean, sandy beach with a stone-walled border, Meadfoot beach is a wonderful place for a refreshing morning walk or a relaxing evening stroll. It is also dog-friendly, so we got to see and pet quite a few fur babies on the beach. The stone wall has a small bunker which is perfect for taking eerie pictures. We spent a good hour at the beach before departing this serene seaside town.
There is loads to do and explore in Torquay and a 2-day trip is certainly not enough to do so. While we got to experience some of the best things that Torquay has to offer, on our very first trip, we will surely be returning to see more of this gorgeous town on the English Riviera.
Pen Paper Scribbles 