Where to stay in Torquay

Torquay ( tor-KEE) is a seaside town in Devon, England, part of the unitary authority area of Torbay. It lies 18 miles (29 km) south of the county town of Exeter and 28 miles (45 km) east-north-east of Plymouth, on the north of Tor Bay, adjoining the neighbouring town of Paignton on the west of the bay and across from the fishing port of Brixham.

Torquay's advantages as a seaside resort and destination are obvious, with 9 sandy beaches and extremely high standards of water quality (holder of 3 European Blue Flags, more than any other English resort). Torbay enjoys a warm micro-climate that allows palm-like trees to grow readily, though these are not true palms but rather Cordyline australis - Cabbage Tree. Torquay is infamous as the setting of Fawlty Towers, the hotel owned by Basil and Sybil Fawlty in the classic 1970s British television comedy.

Torquay is well supplied with bed and breakfast (B&B) and self-catered accommodation. The Tourist Information Centre is a good source of quality information about accommodation and Torquay in general.

Getting in

Exeter (EXT) is the closest airport, but seldom the most convenient as it's lost its flights to London. Torquay is connected to the UK motorway network by the A380, which traces the outskirts of the town as Hellevoetsluis Way and Hamelin Way, leading to the A38 and then on to the M5 at Exeter. The A3022 branches from the A380, leading into Torquay as Riviera Way, to the seafront as Newton Road and then Avenue Road, and then on to Paignton as Torbay Road. The A379 runs past the harbour to the Babbacombe and St Marychurch areas of Torquay, and then north along the coast to Teignmouth.

Getting around

Two bus routes operated by Stagecoach Devon pass through Torquay — the 'Bayline' number 12 service between Newton Abbot and Brixham, and the X46 service between Exeter and Paignton — while other routes operate within the town.

Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.