Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
rooms in the oldest part of the building are the most interesting, with paneled walls
and antiques. Those in the newer parts of the building are just as pleasant, though
they're more contemporary in feel.
Lewdown, Devon EX20 4PN. www.lewtrenchard.co.uk.
&
01566/783222.
Fax 01566/783332. 14 units.
£135-£340 double; £280-£365 suite. Rates include English breakfast. 2-night minimum stay on week-
ends. AE, DC, MC, V.
Amenities:
Restaurant; bar; room service.
In room:
TV, hair dryer.
TORQUAY & PAIGNTON
223 miles SW of London; 23 miles S of Exeter
Hugely popular with British families escaping to the seaside during school breaks, the
town of
Torquay
is a rambling
Victorian relic,
with its tall, 19th-century villas
perched regally at the edge of the sea. The area around Torquay is known as Torbay,
and includes the charming seaside community of
Paignton
and the small fishing
port of Brixham. Their location smack dab in the middle of 22 miles of dramatic
coastline with miles of good
beaches
within easy reach makes this a handy place to
base yourself while you're exploring coastal Devon. Surfers bob on the waves at all
times of the year, and the restaurants, bars, and pubs are packed with the young,
sand-covered set. In some ways, it's a traditional seaside town with game arcades,
fish-and-chips stands, and candy stalls, but its increasing wealth also means that
there's a hip undercurrent as well, bringing in better restaurants and shops.
Essentials
GETTING THERE
First Great Western trains run throughout the day from Lon-
don's Paddington Station to Torquay's station in the town center on the seafront,
costing around £74 for a round-trip.
The trip takes 2
1
⁄
2
hours. For rail infor-
mation, call
&
0845/7484950
or
visit
www.nationalrail.co.uk
.
Buses from London's Victoria Coach
Station leave every 2 hours during the
day for the 5-hour trip to Torquay.
If you're driving from Exeter, head
west on the A38, veering south at the
junction with the A380.
VISITOR INFORMATION
The
Tourist Information Centre
is at
Vaughan Parade (
&
01803/211-
2111;
www.englishriviera.co.uk). It's open June through September, Monday to
Saturday 9:30am to 5:30pm and Sunday 10am to 4pm, and October through May,
Monday to Saturday 9:30am to 5pm.
Exploring the Area
For most visitors, Torquay's main draw can be summed up in one word: Beaches.
Within a few miles of the town center there are 20 beaches upon which you can
lounge. Inspired by this, the local tourism board dubbed the area the “English Riv-
iera,” and you'll see those optimistic words everywhere you go. “Riviera” is certainly a
stretch, but some of the beaches are very good: Some are sandy while others are
pebble-covered, and many are at the base of dramatic cliffs.
9
Pretty Paignton
On the western side of Torquay, the sea-
side community of Paignton is a great
place to spend a sunny afternoon. It still
retains much of its original Victorian
seafront, including a promenade and
pier, and the beach is brightened by tra-
ditional English painted beach huts, like
rows of little houses in miniature.
