Westcoast Residential joins Absolute

Torquay is the largest town on the English Riviera, with around 65,000 inhabitants. It’s been a prominent holiday destination since Victorian times and continues to attract visitors in large numbers throughout the year, with plenty of bars and restaurants, beaches, parks and open spaces, 3 theatres, a cinema and plenty of leisure facilities and entertainment for adults and children alike.

A Brief History of Torquay

Evidence of the earliest known settlers in Europe were found in Torquay at Kents Cavern and Romans also visited here.  It rose to prominence in Victorian times as it became a fashionable holiday resort, this was greatly helped by the Great Western Railway coming almost to the sea itself. 

Famous people to have lived or been born in Torquay include the world renowned crime author Agatha Christie, comedian Peter Cook, actress & comedian Miranda Hart, musician Ben Howard, model & actress Lily Cole, comedian Syd Little, entertainers The Krankies, footballer Colin Lee, entertainer Max Bygraves and hotelier Basil Fawlty.

Road

  • The recently dualled A380 from Newton Abbot follows on South from the M5 in Exeter and then becomes known as the Torbay Ring Road which continues across to Paignton & Brixham

Rail

  • Torquay has two train stations – Torquay (by the seafront) and Torre
  • Newton Abbot mainline station has direct trains to London Paddington in under 3 hours

Air

  • Exeter Airport is around 30 minutes from Torquay
  • Flights to many popular holiday & business destinations across Europe

Schools and Education

Schools are one of the major reasons that people move into Torquay. Torquay Boys & Torquay Girls Grammar Schools are leading secondary schools in the country and places are in high demand, there is also Churston Grammar School and Spires selective stream also being part of the Grammar school system in Torbay.  Other secondary schools include Cuthbert Mayne, Torquay Academy & Spires Academy.  Primary Schools are numerous and dotted throughout Torquay.  The Local Education Authority is Torbay Council.

South Devon College is within easy reach on it’s ever expanding Long Road, Paignton site and is now an accredited University Centre.  Exeter & Plymouth Universities are both commutable.

Lifestyle and Entertainment

As an estate agency with a strong online and offline presence in Torquay we are trusted to know all there is to know about the region. Therefore, no guide would be complete without a brief ‘where to go’ section.

  • Green/Blue spaces. The South West Coast Path runs through Torquay from Petitor in the North past Babbacombe Downs over Walls Hill, to Ilsham Valley, then on to Daddyhole Plain which are all lovely to have a picnic at or just to enjoy the views. Torre Abbey Meadows is a large open space opposite Torre Abbey Sands. Torquay Harbour & Marina is a great place and hosts a variety of fantastic restaurants and bars.
     
  • For the kids. Amusement arcades abound near the harbour where you can also find AMF Bowling. Bygones is a real step back in time in St Marychurch, close to the miniature marvels of Babbacombe Model Village. If the weather is good nothing beats the variety of beaches to be found along the coast. Our personal favourite is Meadfoot, with plenty of rockpools and sometimes even a surprise appearance from a seal or two! Kents Cavern, which is close to our Torquay office is great whatever the weather and was the home of some of the earliest known Europeans. Riviera International Conference Centre has a wave pool with water slide.
     
  • Culture. Torquay Museum is a short walk from the harbour with some important local finds including some from Kents Cavern. Torre Abbey is another historic site which was originally used as a monastery in the 12th century.  This also contains the third largest art collection in Devon. 
     
  • Nights out. The night-time economy has always been important to Torquay and accordingly there are a large variety of pubs, restaurants, bars and nightclubs with the largest number being centred around the Harbourside. Our particular favourite restaurants are On The Rocks, Small World, Wellies & The Elephant. For live music we’d suggest checking out Twenty One, Offshore, Rock Garden & One World Café.
     
  • Sport. Torquay United Football Club is based in Plainmoor near Cary Park Tennis Club and there is also Torquay Tennis Club down by the seafront which is close to Torquay Athletic RFC & Torquay Cricket Club who share a ground by Torquay railway station. For some watersports we’d recommend visiting WeSUP for Stand Up Paddleboarding or Jet Set Go for Jet Ski adventures.

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Our Torquay branch

Our general office opening times are as follows:

  • Monday 09:00 - 17:00
  • Tuesday 09:00 - 17:00
  • Wednesday 09:00 - 17:00
  • Thursday 09:00 - 17:00
  • Friday 09:00 - 17:00
  • Saturday 09:00 - 14:00
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