Torquay Culture

The Riviera ideal that has been enjoyed for centuries remains very much alive today. Life in Torquay revolves around its waterfront, home of an international marina and busy harbour, where numerous events take place throughout the year including yacht races and the highly charged powerboat championships.

In the summer months the harbour resounds with music during the Riviera Live! season as street musicians entertain crowds with everything from opera to jazz.

Within walking distance of the harbourside you will find a myriad of continental cafes, lively bars, and fantastic restaurants offering international cuisine as well as show-casing the best of British food. Torquay is taking the gastronomic world by storm with many awards, including a Michelin-starred restaurant and another that boasts three AA Rosettes.

Shopping in Torquay has never been better. As well as nationally recognised outlets, the Fleet Walk area hosts some exclusive boutiques. On occasions a continental market can be found along the promenade, where you can find all sorts of tasty titbits to whet your appetite and intricate crafts.

Numerous tourist attractions vie for a share of the resort's visitors including Britain's most important Stone Age site, Kents Cavern which was home to early man for some 700,000 years and where tourists can visit this subterranean wonderland. The floor is composed of several strata, with remains indicating the prehistoric coexistence there of humans and now-extinct animals. The Rev. J. McEnery explored (1825 – 29) the cave and put forth the coexistence theory. The cave was extensively explored from 1865 to 1880 by William Pengelly, who found evidence to support McEnery's hypothesis. The Caves have attracted many famous people, among them Agatha Christie, Beatrix Potter, King George V of the United Kingdom and Haile Selassie who was so impressed with his visit that he gave his guide, Leslie Powe a gold sovereign.