Part of the exotic English Riviera, the Devon seaside resort of Torquay has long been a leading English destination for traditional seaside holidays and holiday cottages. These days it is as popular as ever, with more and more visitors choosing to stay in one of the town's growing number of holiday cottages. Torquay holds amazing views of far-out blue stretches of ocean occasionally inhabited by crowd-pleasing orca whales and a wealth of friendly sea life. View some of the sea life close up at Living Coasts on the harbour. Alternatively, nip 'next door' where there is plenty of more exotic wildlife to be found at nearby Paignton Zoo or the Woodlands Family Wildlife Park for more animal antics.
Torquay has regularly Britain's tables for Best Beaches in the past few years. Swept clean by the tide twice a day, you can sunbathe, build sandcastles or go beachcombing. You can still hire paddle boats from the beach or motorboats from the harbour in which to chunter around Torbay, or take a mackerel fishing trip to catch a fishy feast to BBQ back at your holiday cottage in the evening.
Nestling in the tranquil South Devon hamlet of North Whilborough near Torquay, Honeybag is the perfect location for couples with an infant, or those seeking a romantic hideaway with a swimming pool. It sleeps 2 (plus a cot) with an en suite bathroom.
- Sleeps 2
- Bedrooms 1
- Bathrooms 1
- Child Friendly Cottages
- Cottages With A Pool
- Countryside Cottages
- Independent Cottages
- Romantic Cottages
- Small Cottages
Tucked away in the tranquil hamlet of North Whilborough in South Devon, Hameldown is a large Holiday Cottage sleeping 8 in 4 bedrooms, in the perfect rural location for a Devon self catering holiday for families seeking a holiday cottage with a pool and Wi-Fi.
- Sleeps 8
- Bedrooms 4
- Bathrooms 3
- Child Friendly Cottages
- Coastal Cottages
- Cottages With A Pool
- Countryside Cottages
- Independent Cottages
- Large Holiday Cottages
Babble Brook House is a unique seaside holiday cottage and villa near Torquay in Devon, that welcomes families and pets. This seaside escape is replete with wood burning stove, country-style kitchen, exposed beams, ample gardens and a sun-drenched conservatory, just a short walk to Babbacombe Beach.
- Sleeps 8
- Bedrooms 4
- Bathrooms 3
- Agency Cottages
- Child Friendly Cottages
- Coastal Cottages
- Large Holiday Cottages
This lovely Italianate villa can be found on the harbourside in Torquay and makes the perfect coastal getaway for family or friends. With sea views stretching right across the bay this home also has a private courtyard garden; the ideal place to enjoy a glass of bubbles while watching the sun set.
- Sleeps 4
- Bedrooms 2
- Bathrooms 2
- Agency Cottages
- Child Friendly Cottages
- Coastal Cottages
- Luxury Holiday Cottages
- Quirky Cottages
- Romantic Cottages
- Small Cottages
Located in the peaceful hamlet of North Whilborough, Huccaby is a beautiful rural location for a self catering holiday in South Devon. This child friendly cottage with a communal heated indoor swimming pool sleeps 6 plus cots in 3 bedrooms and has Wi-Fi.
- Sleeps 6
- Bedrooms 3
- Bathrooms 2
- Child Friendly Cottages
- Coastal Cottages
- Cottages With A Pool
- Countryside Cottages
- Independent Cottages
Nestling in the sleepy South Devon coastal hamlet of North Whilborough with an indoor swimming pool and Wi-Fi, Long Barn Cottage near Torquay is the perfect location for a self-catering holiday for large families or groups of friends. It sleeps 13 in 6 bedrooms, 3 en-suites, a bathroom shower room.
- Sleeps 13
- Bedrooms 6
- Bathrooms 5
- Child Friendly Cottages
- Coastal Cottages
- Cottages With A Pool
- Countryside Cottages
- Independent Cottages
- Large Holiday Cottages
Towns nearby
Torquay
- Appledore
- Axminster
- Axmouth
- Barnstaple
- Beer
- Beesands
- Bideford
- Bigbury-on-Sea
- Bovey Tracey
- Branscombe
- Bratton Fleming
- Braunton
- Brayford
- Brixham
- Broadwoodkelly
- Bucks Mills
- Budleigh Salterton
- Cadhay
- Challacombe
- Cheriton Bishop
- Chillington
- Chulmleigh
- Clawton
- Combe Martin
- Crediton
- Croyde
- Cullompton
- Dartmouth
- Dawlish
- Exeter
- Exmouth
- Galmpton
- Gara Bridge
- Georgeham
- Great Torrington
- Hallsands
- Honiton
- Hope Cove
- Ilfracombe
- Instow
- Kentisbeare
- Kentisbury
- Kingkerswell
- Kingsbridge
- Kingston
- Kingswear
- Lee Bay
- Lynmouth
- Lynton
- Malmsmead
- Newton Ferrers
- North Molton
- Noss Mayo
- Okehampton
- Paignton
- Parracombe
- Plymouth
- Salcombe
- Seaton
- Shaldon
- Sidmouth
- Slapton
- South Molton
- Stoke Fleming
- Stokenham
- Tavistock
- Teignmouth
- Tiverton
- Totnes
- Wembury
- Westward Ho!
- Woolacombe
- Yelverton
As well as the long twenty-two miles of alluring sandy beaches you can also find secluded coves, such as Babbacombe Bay reached by a cliff railway for a more secretive escape as you enjoy the sunshine on Devon's coastline. Alongside the relaxing atmosphere of the beautiful beaches, you can immerse yourself in the abundance of activities Torquay has to inspire such as windsurfing and snorkelling. Get your heart pumping with a spot of tennis or chill out on the green as you tee off for some golf. The sights and salty smells of the harbour are just a starting point for a leisurely stroll along the promenade.
In the evenings take in a show at the Princess on the Theatre and afterwards enjoy a romantic stroll along the Torquay's magical palm tree-lined illuminated promenade or walk through the Royal Terrace Gardens and take in the fantastic sea views.
Take a ferryboat from Torquay's harbour across the bay to Paignton, Brixham or right around Berry Head to Dartmouth. Instead of walking, take a horse and trap and go back in time with a visit to the beautiful thatched village of Cockington and watch blacksmiths at work in the traditional forge.
From Paignton, catch a steam train along the coast to Kingswear and cross the Dart by ferry to Dartmouth. From there take a trip upriver to Totnes, for where you can catch a train back to Torquay.
Torquay certainly has a lot to offer visitors coming to stay in its many holiday cottages and apartments and is definitely on the list of towns-not-to-be missed in the tour of Britain's best seaside resorts.
