Destination Guides > Europe > England > Southwest England > Devon > Torbay (Torquay, Paignton & Brixham)
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Torbay (Torquay, Paignton & Brixham)
Although it has an air of elegance there is certainly no comparison between the Torbay region and the French Riveria, which it likes to compare itself with. The region is comprised of several towns that sprawl from Torquay (the region's main city) south to Paignton and Brixham.
Practical information
Brixham Tourist Information Centre
The Old Market House, The Quay, Brixham
Tel 0906 680 1268
Website www.theenglishriviera.co.uk
Open summer Mon-Sat 9.30am-6pm, Sun 10am-6pm; winter Mon-Fri 9.30am-1pm & 2pm-5pm
Paignton Tourist Information Centre
The Esplanade, Paignton
Tel 0906 680 1268
Website www.theenglishriviera.co.uk
Open summer Mon-Sat 9.30am-6pm, Sun 10am-6pm; winter Mon-Sat 9.30am-1pm & 2pm-5pm
Torquay Tourist Information Centre
Vaughan Parade, Torquay
Tel 0906 680 1268
Website www.theenglishriviera.co.uk
Open Jan-Apr Mon-Sat 9.30am-5pm; May-Aug Mon-Sat 9.30am-6pm, Sun 10am-6pm; Sep-Dec Mon-Sat 9.30am-5pm
Coming & going
BUS & COACH
National Express (tel 0870 580 8080) has express services to Exeter and London that leave from the coach station on Lymington Road in Torquay.
First and Stagecoach operate local buses to destinations throughout Devon. Local buses depart from the Pavilion at the corner of the Stand and Torbay Road.
TRAIN
Train stations in the Torbay region are located in Torquay and Paignton.
South West Trains run trains between Torbay and London (Waterloo) stopping en route at Exeter and Salisbury. First Great Western operate trains to Bristol, Cardiff and Exeter with connecting services to Plymouth and Penzance.
Local transport
Stagecoach buses provide frequent services in the Torbay area.
You can buy a Dayrider ticket for £4.50 that gives you unlimited bus travel in the Torquay, Paignton and Brixham area.
Hostel accommodation
Le Papillon Backpackers' Hostel
18 Vansittart Road, Torquay TQ2 5BW
Tel (01803) 290173
River Dart YHA
Galmpton, Brixham, Devon TQ5 0ET
Bus 12 to Churston Potter, then 3.25km walk
Tel (01808) 842 444
Torquay Backpackers Hostel
119 Abbey Road, Torquay
Bus 32, 32H, 33
Tel (01803) 299 924
Sightseeing, museums & tourist attractions
Living Coasts
Operated in conjunction with Paignton Zoo, Living Coasts is an excellent wildlife park focusing on coastal wildlife featuring reconstructed beaches and cliff-faces with penguins, puffins, sea ducks and fur seals.
Beacon Quay, Torquay
Bus 63
Tel (01803) 202 470
Website www.livingcoasts.org.uk
Admission £9.20, £7.15 students; joint ticket with Paignton Zoo £19.55, £15.75 students
Open Jan-Feb 10am-3.30pm daily; Apr-Sep 10am-5pm daily; Oct 10am-4.30pm daily; Nov-Dec 10am-3.30pm daily
Paignton Zoo
Paignton Zoo has the usual collection of African wildlife including giraffes, gorillas, rhinos and zebras.
Totnes Road, Paignton
Bus 82, 100, 172, 179, X80, TC
Tel (01803) 697 500
Website www.paigntonzoo.org.uk
Admision £12.50, £10.30 students; joint ticket with Living Coasts £19.55, £15.75 students
Open summer 10am-5pm daily; winter 10am-3pm daily
Torquay Museum
Devon's oldest museum has been home to the Torquay Natural History Society since 1876. Its collection covers archaeology, ethnography and local history.
529 Babbacombe Road, Torquay
Tel (01803) 293 975
Website www.torquaymuseum.org
Admission £4.35, £2.75 students
Open summer Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 1.30pm-5pm; winter Mon-Fri 10am-5pm, Sat 1.30pm-4pm
