About Torbay in The English Riviera

Paignton is in an area known as Torbay, which is made up of the three towns that sit around the horseshoe shaped Tor Bay. They are Paignton, Torquay 5 miles to the north and Brixham 5 miles to the south.

Paignton has a picturesque harbour, the main beach, Pirates Bay Adventure Golf, Apollo Multiplex Cinema, Paignton Pier and a host of pubs, eateries and shops.

During the main summer months there is always something happening on the main greens to the rear of the beach. Some of the main events during July and August are Torbay Carnival Week with the Classic Car Show on the Sunday and the procession on the Wednesday, Paignton Regatta and Children’s Festival. A fantastic firework display is usually featured with these events. Also, usually on every Wednesday during the Summer there is BMAD bike night on the promenade where hundreds of motor bike owners congregate to show off their great bikes in aid of charity. It’s free to see them.

With regard to places to visit, some of the popular ones are Paignton & Dartmouth Steam Railway, where you can ride on a steam train to Kingswear and then take a short passenger ferry crossing to picturesque Dartmouth or perhaps the Round Robin trip to enjoy a steam train ride, boat cruise and bus trip.

The famous Paignton Zoo is another popular place to visit. It is a large zoo, committed to the conservation of wildlife and the natural environment and which is accessible to disabled visitors, but there are some steep hills.

Goodrington beach, Youngs Park to the rear of the beach and Splashdown@Quaywest Waterpark with fun water slides are well worth a visit and are all close to the flats. You will also find a pub with indoor and outdoor seating adjacent to the beach, snack bars, shop and arcade. The park is a lovely place to relax with picnic tables and a wildlife conservation lake, featuring swans, ducks etc. There is also a lake with swan boats and bumper boats for hire, mini golf, mini quads and a café.
Visit Goodrington Lake's Website www.goodringtonboatinglake.co.uk
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Torbay Leisure Centre is close to the flats. There are the usual sporting facilities, gym and an indoor swimming pool.

Further afield, on the outskirts of Torquay you will find the popular attractions of Babbacombe Model Village, a world recreated in miniature, Kents Cavern, Devon’s famous prehistoric caves and Bygones, an interesting look back to things of the past. Another popular place is Cockington which is a quaint village, with thatched cottages, tea rooms and gift shops. There is also Cockington Court, the manor house. You will find beautiful grounds, a historic Norman church, a rose garden, craft studios and a café serving cream teas and lunches. Treat yourself to a ride on one of the village’s horse-drawn carriages.

There is also Woodlands Family Theme Park, near Dartmouth, a hit with children, and Pennywell Farm, Buckfastleigh, popular with adults and children alike with all manner of furry creatures.

We recommend a visit to picturesque Dartmouth, Totnes and the quaint fishing port of Brixham, plus Dartmoor is a must for the dramatic scenery.

There are many beautiful beaches and walks, plus an abundance of lovely countryside. There are plenty of other attractions in this beautiful area but too numerous to mention.

If you enjoy shows or plays there is Babbacombe Theatre, The Little Theatre in Torquay and The Palace Theatre in Paignton but the main one is The Princess Theatre on Torquay Promenade where top shows and acts regularly feature

One more thing - You can’t come to Devon without trying our famous cream teas which are available in many places. Forget about your waistline and tuck in!!

Some information you may like to know about the carved Big Tree stump which is directly outside of our flats and from which our name is derived

The Big Tree was a 140 year old Monterey Cypress, which was 92ft tall and a landmark in Paignton. Unfortunately the tree succumbed to disease and on 2nd October 2001 it was finally cut down. Many locals were saddened to see the tree being cut down and were in tears. There was even a last minute legal hitch when Friends of the Earth threatened to take out an injunction to stop the felling. However, talks between them and the council persuaded the campaigners that the ailing tree was too dangerous to leave standing. Bystanders asked for keepsakes and tree fellers rewarded them with slices of freshly-sawn bough. In fact we have a piece of it ourselves. Paignton Zoo requested a big lump of wood for their elephants. Seats and faces were later carved into the stump and it remains a Paignton landmark with many a photo being taken of it

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