The Best English Riviera Attractions

Our lovely lodge and caravan holiday home owners are attracted to South Devon for many different reasons. One of the main draws are the number of fantastic attractions located here. Whether you’re after a leisurely day out at one of the many museums, an adventurous time exploring some prehistoric caves or making new furry friends at the zoo, we’re sure you’ll have a great time getting to know all the best English Riviera attractions.  Here’s a selection of our favourites for you to choose from…

Babbacome Model Village

Experience life in miniature by taking a trip to the wonderful Babbacombe Model Village. It’s like stepping into the book Gulliver’s Travels. The villages are very well maintained and the attention to detail is amazing. It’s a great experience for all ages so an ideal activity if you have any family or friends with you. This English Riviera attraction highlight is dog friendly so your four legged family members can enjoy the day out too. There are also beautiful gardens to enjoy here. We highly recommend going at night when all the lights come on and illuminate the village scenes.

Paignton Zoo

Take a walk on the wild side with a visit to the acclaimed Paignton Zoo. This place should definitely be on your short list of English Riviera attractions to visit. Best of all its only 10 minute walk from our holiday park in Paignton. There is a huge range of different animal species to see. From impressive African safari beauties such as lion, rhino, cheetah, giraffe and ostrich to smaller ones like meerkats, tortoise and lizards. When you need a break there are plenty of good food and drink options at several locations including excellent coffee and ice cream as well as some great picnic stops. You will also meet the knowledgeable staff and keeper who are approachable and happy to share their wisdom. Visitors need to be aware that there are a few hills to go up and down if you want to see all the enclosures, however these are all paved so should not be slippy.

 

Kents Caverns

This place is literally a hidden gem! From arrival to heading home, we’re confident you will have a great time visiting here.

The friendly staff will greet you at every opportunity from the ticket desk, to the cave tour itself and in the shop and cafe which are scrupulously clean. The cafe has a lovely terrace and view. The caves themselves are truly amazing; it’s no wonder they have been made a UNESCO site. The guides here are both knowledgeable and entertaining. You will get the opportunity to do different things in the cave like see how the prehistoric inhabitants would have used fire in the caves. The guides will also turn off all the lights to see how truly dark it is!

Torquay Museum

The Torquay Museum is situated with a lovely building which house an eclectic selection of artefacts and displays. These are spread across three floors. Among the great number of varied exhibits here is a popular Agatha Christie section which is great for any Poirot fans!

If you are visiting with younger family members they will enjoy the treasure hunt quiz and little interactive things to do. The scientific table is usually a big hit with kids too.

Best of all your ticket is also valid for 12 months which is great if you want to make a return visit or two. Ideal if you own one of our caravan holiday homes located nearby.

Torre Abbey

For a relaxing and interesting day out, head to Torre Abbey which is located close to Torquay seafront. Here you can enjoy art and antiques collections housed in a historic building with a palm house all surrounded by acres of beautiful gardens.

The grounds surrounding the abbey are a delight, they have a great variety of plants and flowers on display. You will forget that you are in the middle of a town! They are especially lovely and peaceful on a sunny afternoon.

We think it is a great place to visit so many interesting exhibits to see accompanied by plenty of historical information. The staff are very helpful and are sure to answer any questions you may have about the history of the building or artworks on display. There are also plenty of seating areas many with good vantage points around the exhibition.

Dartmouth Steam Railway

Who doesn’t love the nostalgia of the steam train? Take a step back in time and experience a fantastic day out from Paignton to Dartmouth on the Dartmouth Steam Railway. As you roll along the track you will be in awe of the beautiful coastline views which we think are simply stunning.

You can combine your train journey with a cruise on the River Dart which makes for perfect day out in South Devon. Whilst on the ferry you can learn about the history of the area whilst you relax and enjoy and the on-board bar facilities. Combine the serenity and uniqueness of this with historic Dartmouth and you have a recipe for a perfect day out.

English Riviera Wheel

Sore to new heights and get a birds eye view of the area with a trip on the English Riviera Wheel. This Torbay landmark is now a familiar sight in the summer months for locals and regular visitors alike. On a clear day the 360 degree views from the top are amazing. Once situated in your gondola you will experience three revolutions of the wheel and have relaxing music pipped through whilst you can sit and enjoy the coastline stretched out in front of you. Just make sure you’ve got a good head for heights as you will be almost 100ft above The Princess Gardens!