|
|
| |
Torquay, United Kingdom
The UK is a country of contrasts that suits all
tastes. Whatever your cup of tea - and you'd better get used to
that in England - it won't disappoint. It has an intricate past,
an engrossing present and a fascinating future.
More about United Kingdom>> |
|
|
|
|
Torquay is located on what the British call the English Riviera. It's not St
Tropez in glamour or climate, but there is a reason for it: it is
one of a few towns set on the beautiful south Devon shores, offering
traditional British seaside attractions such as a brightly lit seafront
promenade, a string of hotels à la Fawlty Towers (this is
where the popular sitcom was set) and a long, inviting beach where
you can be sure the crowds will swarm and the ice cream will melt
when the sun shines. Torquay is a clean and safe town with a charming
centre, and the list of cultural and leisure activities is endless.
Whether you take advantage of the natural harbour and try your hand
at watersports, hike the stunning South West Coast Path or venture
into wild and beautiful Dartmoor National Park, your stay here will
no doubt be exhilarating and fun.
City sights
The town is focused on the small harbour and marina, separated
by limestone cliffs sprouting white high-rise hotels and apartment
blocks from Torquay's main beach, Abbey Sands. Good for chucking
a frisbee about but too busy for serious relaxation, it takes its
name from Torre Abbey, sited in ornamental gardens behind the beachside
road. The Norman church that once stood here was razed by Henry
VIII, though a gatehouse, tithe barn, chapter house and tower escaped
demolition. The present Abbey Mansion (Easter-Oct daily 9.30am-6pm;
£3) is a seventeenth- and eighteenth-century construction, now containing
the mayor's office, a suite of period rooms with collections of
paintings, silver, glass and one devoted to Agatha Christie. There's
more material relating to the Mistress of Murder at the Torquay
Museum , above the harbour at 529 Babbacombe Rd (Easter-Oct Mon-Sat
10am-5pm, Sun 1.30-5pm; Nov-Easter Mon-Fri 10am-5pm; £3), but most
of the space is given over to the local history and natural history
collections.
Walking north round the promontory from the harbour, you'll reach
some good sand beaches, nearest of which Meadfoot Beach , lies at
the end of a pretty half-mile coastal walk that takes you through
Daddyhole Plain, a large chasm in the cliff caused by a landslide
locally attributed to the devil ("Daddy"). If you're searching for
something a little more low-key, continue round the point to where
a series of beaches extends along the coast as far as the cliff-backed
coves of Watcombe and Maidencombe.
Useful websites
www.torquayunited.com
www.torquay-online.co.uk |
|
