Torquay attractions

From the historic Barbican Landing Stage, close to the Mayflower Steps, you will set out to explore the Devon and Cornish coasts on a relaxed scenic harbour cruise. Along the way, a live commentary will point out local history and features as you pass well-known landmarks such as Plymouth Hoe and Drake's Island. The pace is gentle, so you can enjoy the coastal views and listen to stories about the area's maritime heritage. Refreshments are available from the on-board café and licensed bar, making it easy to have a drink or snack as you travel. The cruise is family-friendly and suitable for all ages, but please note a minimum of nine passengers is required. If wheelchair accessibility is needed, contact the team to check vessel availability before booking.

Sea Kayak Torbay runs guided tandem sea kayak tours around the English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark. As you paddle, you will move through sea caves and into hidden coves, with chances to spot local wildlife including seals. Along the way, your passionate guides will point out the coastline’s ancient geology and explain what you’re seeing. Tours are supported by up to three guides to keep the experience safe and enjoyable for everyone. Tours include opportunities for wild swimming, foraging, fossil hunting, beach fires and toasted marshmallows on secluded beaches. You’re welcome to bring a picnic and swimwear. The stable tandem touring kayaks have supportive backrests and are well suited to beginners, families and groups of mixed abilities; full training is provided before you launch. Reduced family tickets are available. Solo paddlers may join for an additional surcharge, but should already have sea kayaking experience, including capsize recovery.

Plymouth: Harbour to Hoe is a friendly walking tour launched in 2023 that will take you around some of Plymouth’s most popular and historic areas. As you move between the harbour and the Hoe, you’ll get a feel for the city through researched, authentic stories about Plymouth’s past, present and future. No prior knowledge of history or the area is expected, so the tour is suitable whether you’re new to the city or just curious to learn more. Along the way you’ll be guided by a welcoming team who are fully insured and focused on visitor engagement. The tour was set up by Hannah, a proud Plymothian whose background in visitor engagement, heritage interpretation and digital walking trails shapes the experience. The operation is also committed to accessibility: step-free routes are planned for people using wheelchairs or with limited mobility, and the staff have audio description training to welcome guests with visual impairment.

At Swanaford Vineyard you'll get an inside look at how grapes are grown and wine is made in England. You will walk through the vines and see the five grape varieties grown on site, including Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, the traditional champagne grapes. As you move through the rows, the setting in a valley within the Dartmoor National Park will be ever present, with surrounding countryside forming a striking backdrop. A visit in spring will allow you to see vines emerging from winter hibernation, with new shoots forming on recently pruned plants. In high summer or early autumn you should expect vigorous growth and, in season, grapes on the vines. Groups are kept deliberately small so your visit will be comfortable and engaging. Guides are highly knowledgeable and friendly and will welcome your questions. Along the way they will talk about vineyard management and winemaking and explain the choices made on site. Food is available after the tour; see the vineyard’s website for details.

This trip explores the stunning coastline of Torbay and The English Riviera. As you move along, you'll pass hidden coves, caves and natural limestone arches, and see isolated rocky islands and secluded beaches. The views from the water will give you a different perspective on this dramatic shoreline. You will visit areas where you may spot seals basking in the sunshine and see a variety of sea birds. Along the route, you may also glimpse the resident pod of dolphins, though sightings cannot be guaranteed. The experience offers time outdoors and fresh sea air, with plenty of opportunities for photographs and quiet moments enjoying the scenery.

After being kitted up in lifejackets and taking a short safety brief, you’ll set off from Torquay Marina and head along the coast. The route will take you past secluded bays, rock islands and stunning coves, with plenty of chances to take in the scenery from the water. Expect bursts of astonishing acceleration during the moving sections, followed by a more relaxed pace as the crew provide witty commentary. They will point out the best bits of Torbay as you move through the area. Along the way, the crew will also keep a lookout for wildlife, which may be spotted from the boat. The Raptor seats 12 people, so the trip remains an intimate outing with the crew on hand throughout.

In a light-filled coastal studio you’ll enjoy a fully hosted painting session where creativity meets calm. This is a guided experience rather than a drop-in craft table: professional paints and quality materials are provided, and a friendly expert will be on hand to offer attentive guidance as you work. Your reservation includes the studio session, an artisan cake, a drink and the use of all materials. Along the way you’ll choose a wooden or ceramic piece on arrival and design and hand-paint it at your own pace. The host will support you with techniques and tips while you create, and you’ll be able to take your finished artwork home the same day. The setting is relaxed and thoughtfully run, making it a simple creative escape by the sea.

On this longest boat trip from Torquay Marina you will head out into the bay and, depending on the weather, turn left or right while hugging the coast. As you move along the shoreline you will explore coves, caves and rock islands and admire the geology of the UNESCO Geopark. Your guides will point out features of the coast and share local information about the landscape and wildlife. Along the way you may spot seals, dolphins and porpoise, plus a variety of seabirds, including a Guillemot colony seen from March to August. You will take in the whole bay and, weather permitting, may extend further down the coast to improve chances of sightings; wildlife is not guaranteed but the crew will do their best to find them. There will also be some faster stretches for fun, including a few donuts, so you can enjoy both the scenery and a bit of excitement on the water.

On this walking tour of The English Riviera you will explore places linked to Agatha Christie's life in Torquay. As you move through the town, you'll hear about her idyllic early years and how she created Poirot and Miss Marple. Along the way you will learn how she met her two husbands, her outstanding contribution in both World Wars, and how she bounced back from personal and professional challenges to become the world's most successful author. The tour will also look at how her legacy continues to be celebrated throughout the world. Graham, the tour guide, has hosted Agatha Christie walking tours for eight years and is the only full-time Agatha Christie guide on The English Riviera. The walk has received over six hundred 5-star reviews and is recognised as one of the best activities on The English Riviera. TripAdvisor has awarded the tour a Badge of Excellence and a Traveller's Choice award, and in 2024 Visit Devon gave it a Gold for International Tourism. Even if you've never read an Agatha Christie novel, watched a film, or seen her plays, it doesn't matter.

This self-guided walking tour of Exeter starts at Exeter Central Station and guides you through a city where Roman ruins sit alongside medieval splendour. You’ll follow historic streets that tell the story of a former Roman fortress which grew into a wealthy medieval trading centre, known for exporting valuable cloth. Along the way you’ll pass the Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery, where curios such as Gerald the Giraffe and the Exeter puzzle jug sit among other treasures. As you move through the city you’ll walk beside sections of the Roman wall that have defined Exeter for nearly 2,000 years and pass through ancient gateways that once controlled access to this prosperous place. The route explains the Prayer Book Rebellion and shows how Exeter’s waterways powered trade and industry for centuries. You’ll also see the remains of Exeter’s medieval bridge and hear about the city’s resilience during multiple sieges. The tour blends archaeology, civic history and local stories to give a clear sense of why Exeter feels distinct today.

On this sail you'll spend relaxed time on the water, taking in the changing seascape and enjoying a calm, social atmosphere. Tea, coffee or soft drinks are provided while you’re on board, so you can settle in and make the most of the journey. You may bring a packed lunch to eat on deck or in the cabin, which makes the outing easy and flexible. Along the way you can watch the light and scenery shift as you move across the water, chat with fellow travellers or simply unwind and enjoy the voyage.

This self-guided, interactive treasure hunt turns the streets of Plymouth into an adventure playground. Using an app, you’ll follow a hidden trail, find clues, solve puzzles and complete challenges to earn points. Along the way you’ll see the city’s highlights and some lesser-known corners, pick up fun facts and notice details that many pass by without seeing. You can start the Quest whenever you like, as long as it’s played during daylight hours, and there are no set start or finish times. You’ll go at your own pace—linger where you wish, pause for a break or a snack in one of the many cafes and pubs along the route, or push on and aim for a top place on the leaderboard. The activity is self-guided through the app and offers instant access with nothing to print, and you can add up to five people to the same Quest so a small group can play together.

If you're not sure whether you'd like to sail, this taster session is ideal. It includes a short trip out into the bay and back so you can experience being on the water without a big commitment. Along the way you'll get a clear sense of what sailing feels like and see the bay from a different perspective. The short outing is designed to help you decide whether you want to try sailing again or explore longer trips in the future.

You’ll learn how, arguably, the greatest British sitcom was inspired by a stay at a Torquay hotel. You’ll also recall how, 50 years ago, the public were introduced to Basil, Sybil, Manuel and Polly at Torquay’s most chaotic hotels as the show first captured audiences’ imaginations. You’ll take a light-hearted trip down memory lane to reminisce and enjoy the story of Fawlty Towers. Along the way you’ll hear about the hotel connection that helped shape the series, enjoy plenty of laugh-out-loud moments and find great photo opportunities to capture the memories. You should also note that no Riff-Raff are permitted!

This activity is designed for people who love wine and want an enjoyable, approachable experience. You do not need any prior knowledge; the session will be welcoming whether you’re new to wine or already familiar with it. Along the way, you will explore wine in a relaxed, accessible way and learn at a level that suits you. The host will adapt explanations so you can follow comfortably, helping you understand key points about wine and build confidence. The pace and detail will match your interests, making this a good choice if you want to deepen your appreciation of wine without needing to be an expert.