With a variety of attractions on offer, Torbay isn’t just a destination for groups to enjoy in the summer months, as we find out
Watching the picture-perfect scenery go by from the elevated views of a Majestic Tours coach, it’s easy to see why Torbay is a popular holiday destination for groups.
Known as the English Riviera, it has stunning coastlines and countryside to enjoy, seaside towns to explore, and more group-friendly hotels than you can shake a stick at.
The English Riviera Showcase, organised by Steve Reed Tourism, provides the perfect opportunity to find out all about some of its group-friendly accommodation, attractions and destinations, well worth adding to any itinerary to the borough.
Paignton
The seaside town of Paignton is as traditional as they come. With its sandy beaches, promenade, traditional pier, colourful beach huts and green, it’s bound to be a hit with any group.
The great thing about the resort is that it’s compact – the seafront and town centre shops are all within close proximity, and the beaches, promenade and the green are linked by flat paths.
For those wanting to explore the surrounding area, a ride on the Dartmouth Steam Railway is a novel way of taking in the spectacular Torbay scenery. There really is something special about watching the coastal views go by, surrounded by the old-fashioned charm of a steam train.
Groups can climb aboard and take a relaxing journey along seven miles of the beautiful South Devon coast. The railway runs from Paignton through to Kingswear, which takes around 30 minutes one way.
Groups could spend some time in the visitor centre at Kingswear, which is free to enter and reveals a timeline of events showing the history of the Paignton-Dartmouth line.
Combine with a cruise
For a longer excursion, groups can take the passenger ferry from Kingswear, across the River Dart to Dartmouth, and spend time discovering the town.
Dartmouth is also the starting point of some of Dartmouth Steam Railway’s river cruises, providing another way for groups to explore the area and enjoy the views.
Alternatively, fans of Agatha Christie can leave the steam train at Churston and take a shuttle bus to the entrance of Greenway House and Garden.
The National Trust-owned property was formerly the holiday home of the renowned author, and it is set in the 1950s – a time when Agatha Christie and her family spent summers and Christmastime with friends. The house is also filled with the family’s collections, including silver, botanical china and books.
Dartmouth Steam Railway offers many other journey options to suit any time frames. Call a dedicated group organiser on 01803 555872 to plan and book the perfect itinerary.
Torquay
As the English weather can often be unpredictable, factoring in indoor attractions is always wise, and Kents Cavern provides the ideal all-weather excursion.
While a visit to a cave can evoke dark, dank and cold images, this is certainly challenged by Kents Cavern – and not only because the temperature in the cave is a constant 14°C every day of the year.
Warm orange lights illuminate the way as knowledgeable and enthusiastic guides take you on a tour of the natural cave, which has an incredible history that began 400 million years ago.
Learning all about the cave’s past inhabitants, including Neanderthals and cave bears, as well as the story of its 15-year-long Victorian excavation and its geological formations is both fascinating and humbling.
Kents Cavern is the most accessible cave in Britain, with just nine steps down and it is reasonably easy to walk around with mostly flat concrete surfaces.
As it is not suitable for wheelchair users, a DVD of the cave tour can be viewed in the visitor centre free of charge.
Extend the visit
Tours of the caves last just under an hour, but they can be extended by combining a tour with a food and drink package, such as a cream tea or a ploughman’s lunch served in the restaurant overlooking the Ilsham Valley.
There is also a gift shop to peruse and coach groups are welcome, with free on-site coach parking available.
A visit to Kents Cavern can easily be teamed with a ride on a Dartmouth Steam Railway train, Greenway House and Garden, Torquay Museum or a tour of Bays Brewery. These can be booked directly with Kents Cavern, so a whole day out can be organised by paying and liaising with just one attraction.
Kents Cavern also provides the perfect starting point for walking groups. A circular coastal walk from Kents Cavern takes you along parts of the South West Coastal footpath and takes around two-three hours to complete. Walkers will learn all about local geology, which includes 400-million-year-old rocks at Hopes Nose.
Babbacombe
Babbacombe is ideal for groups wanting to avoid the hustle and bustle of larger resorts such as Torquay and Paignton.
Time can be spent strolling around the village, which is dotted with independent shops, boutiques and eateries, including Hanbury’s famous fish and chips. Its coastline of steep cliffs and hidden coves also makes it a wonderful place to explore.
A visit to Babbacombe Model Village is a must. Groups will be charmed by the thousands of miniature scenes that capture the essence of England’s past, present and future. Even returning visitors are bound to see something new, and for spring/summer 2018 the city display will be completely redesigned and rebuilt.
For a visit with a difference, how about going in the evening? Open from 1915-2115hrs on selected dates, thousands of miniature lights illuminate the gardens and models creating an enchanting atmosphere.
The paths around the gardens can be steep, but there are handrails and further accessibility details can be found on the website. There’s also a café, gift shop and toilets.
A pay and display car park is ideally located right outside with spaces for coaches.
Make a day of it
After a visit to the model village, a short walk to nearby Bygones is the perfect accompaniment.
The attraction brings history to life over three floors: The Victorian street on the first, complete with an imposing wax work of Queen Victoria; eight Victorian themed rooms and a seven-ton steam engine on the first; and wartime displays, vintage amusements, and 1950s paraphernalia on the second.
Impressively, every item is an original, and the visit is made even more authentic by sound effects and smells that have been added to some of the displays, including roast meat in the Victorian kitchen – not so popular with the vegetarians, we are told.
Tours tend to be self-guided, but guided tours can be arranged for groups wanting to hear more about a specific topic, such the First and Second World Wars.
Staying in Babbacombe, the variety show Starshine provides that all-important evening entertainment at the Babbacombe Theatre until 24 October.
New for 2018, the action-packed show begins at 2015hrs and moves seamlessly from song and dance, to magic, to comedy and back again – there really is something for everyone to enjoy.
The theatre hosts a wide range of other performances throughout the year, from tribute acts to comedy shows. Go to babbacombe-theatre.com for details.
You really can’t beat a British seaside holiday, and with a wide range of attractions to visit, the English Riviera is the perfect location for groups all year round.
- Discover more itinerary ideas at englishriviera.co.uk
