Torquay - The English Riviera
This is Torquay, South Devon, known as The English Riviera.
Best known for Fawlty Towers, Agatha Christie, Palm Trees, Boats, Beaches & Sunshine.
There is always something going on in Torquay and there are many attractions such as Living Coasts, Kent's Cavern and The Princess Theatre. Paignton Zoo is nearby.
All Aboard the Black Pearl!
See Video Below
A motley crew of movie lovers, seafarers and maritime fans have the chance to climb about the historic HMS Bounty this weekend for their own swashbuckling adventure.The ship, known to millions around the world as the Black Pearl from the Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy, called into Torquay at the last minute while on her way to Hull as part of a UK tour.
Movie fans have the chance to take to the ship's helm, a space previously occupied by John Wayne, Marlon Brando, Charlton Heston and Johnny Depp.
Speaking on board HMS Bounty, Captain Robin Wallbridge said:
"That wheel has been used in just about every nautical film between 1935 and 1962. It was put in a sound stage many years ago. People are amazed that so many great actors have put their hands on it."
Today's HMS Bounty was built as an ocean-faring vessel in 1960 for the movie, Mutiny on the Bounty; and the historic old wheel was moved on board.
The ship is made up of 4000,000ft of lumber, 112 tons of screw bolts, 14 tons of bar iron, 1,200 pounds of putty, 10 miles of line for rigging and over 10,000 square feet of hand-sewn canvas for the sails.
Capt. Wallbridge said: "It's great to be in Torquay. We've had such a warm welcome. People come because of the movie links, but then a lot of people get really hooked on the mutiny side."
It's likely to be the last time the 180ft vessel comes to British waters as she departs the UK next month on a re-run of her 1962 world tour, via South Africa and New Zealand to Pitcairn and Tahiti.
'The Bounty' alias 'The Black Pearl'
All Aboard The Black Pearl
'The Bounty' alias 'The Black Pearl' from the Pirates of the Caribbean movies in Torquay Harbour this week.
Torquay
TorquayTorquay is the biggest of the Torbay towns and caters for a wide range of tastes, activities and ages. This is a sprawling seaside town including beaches, harbour, marina and shopping centres. Accommodation ranges from Bed and Breakfasts to 5 star hotels and caters for any budget.
The picturesque harbour in Torquay is surrounded by Bars and café's from the traditional fish and chip shop to specialist high class restaurants. Continental style bars and café's to the English pub. A firm favourite of mine is Cafe Mambo where you can sit on the terrace overlooking the harbour and have a quiet drink or an excellent meal including its oriental style menu.
Heading away from Torquay harbour walk up Fleet street and you pass by the fleet street shopping centre including its designer shops and cafes, this street has a large variety of shops, cafes, restaurants and Bars. If you continue and cross to Union street which has no traffic you are now in the main shopping area of Torquay includes the Union steet shopping centre.
Torquay's main attractions apart from the beach are Living Coasts - this is a fairly new attraction and features a host of coastal creatures including penguins, seals, puffins and wading birds. Kents Cavern prehistoric caves a great adventure for all ages. The Torquay museum which is Devon's oldest museum. Cockington visitor centre with its traditional crafts, cockington court and thatched cottages.
Family activities are a firm favourite in Torquay and include Tenpin bowling, crown green bowling, various pitch and putts, leisure centres and various water sports.
There are various boat trips available including the ferry to Brixham, day trip to Dartmouth, trips up and down the coast and varied fishing trips, these are all bookable around Torquay harbour.
Very Funny Spoof Torquay Tourism Video!
Did you know Friends was filmed in this fountain?
Watch this first!Torquay Links
- Powerboat Racing
- Royal Yachting Association Powerboat Racing
- English Riviera
- Torquay, Paignton & Brixham, The English Riviera, Devon.
- The Belgrave Hotel, Seafront, Torquay - Welcomes you for all seasons & for all reasons.
- The Belgrave Hotel, Seafront, Torquay - Welcomes you for all seasons & for all reasons.
- BBC - Devon Webcams - Live from Torquay Harbour
- The live webcam view across Torquay Harbour shows the bay in all its splendour. Take a look at the view from the harbourmaster's office. Updated every five minutes
- The Grand Hotel, Torquay.
- The Grand Hotel, Torquay.
Every Richardson hotel is friendly and welcoming; that the accommodation is comfortably furnished and appointed; that staff are helpful, courteous and efficient; that public areas are clean and inviting.
Fawlty Towers
The infamous Basil Fawlty (John Cleese) star of the hilarious comedy Fawlty Towers based his character on the real life owner of one of Torquay's hotels and the series is based in Torquay.
Fawlty Towers - The Complete Series
Amazon Price: $34.49 (as of 10/12/2008)
Fawlty Towers, Vol. 1 - A Touch of Class/Builders/Wedding
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Fawlty Towers, Vol. 2 - Gourmet Night/Germans/Communication
Amazon Price: $12.49 (as of 10/12/2008)
Fawlty Towers,Vol. 4 - Communication Problems/The Anniversary/Basil The Rat
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Fawlty Towers Radio Show
Amazon Price: $67.49 (as of 10/12/2008)
The Brilliant John Cleese as Basil Fawlty
Torbay
TorbayTorbay is part of the English Riviera and an excellent base from which to explore the Devon coastline and only a short distance from Dartmoor. In the Torbay area accommodation is plentiful and varied in both price and standard from the humble Bed and Breakfast to the five star Hotel.
The coastline itself rises very steeply in places which makes for very dramatic scenery, including scenic ports, secluded beaches and coastal walks.
Torbay has 3 main Areas which are all easy to reach and interconnected by road rail and even sea as a daily ferry service is available from Brixham to Torquay.
In the west is Brixham, which is a small harbour town that has retained its fishing fleet and quaint appearance, with its mile long harbour wall built by American engineers during WW II to load troops onto waiting ships to take them to the Normandy beaches for the D-Day landings. It has a growing marina and a full size replica of the Golden Hind the famed flagship of Sir Francis Drake.
In the centre of the bay is Paignton, this has the look of the typical English seaside resort complete with pier, long sandy beach, a plentiful supply of small brightly coloured beach huts, gaming machine arcades and gift shops.
To the east is my home town of Torquay, which has a small sandy beach with a few brightly coloured beach huts to the west end, behind the beach is a beautiful park, cafes and bars, further along you will come across the Victorian pier which surrounds the west edge of the Marina and harbour. In the centre of Torquay is the main inner harbour and marina which has everything from the multimillion pound craft to the humble rowing boat. Surrounding the inner harbour is a vast variety of cafes, bars and shops. As you move away from the harbour the town rises steeply inland and you will arrive at the main shopping, residential and holiday accommodation.
There is always something going on in Torbay, on and off the water.
Paignton
PaigntonPaignton is a typical looking English seaside town including a long, wide sprawling sandy beach and Victorian pier. The centre of the town has good shopping facilities and there are various family attractions within a short distance.
Paignton beach is a very long, wide sandy beach with a central Victorian pier complete with shops and amusement arcade. To the eastern end is a very large amount of brightly coloured beach huts making this beach a picture postcard scene. Adjacent to this beach is a large grassy green surrounded by cafes, restaurants pubs and a multi-screen cinema.
The town itself has a very busy shopping area with all the main shop names and a variety of gift shops which is the norm with a seaside resort. Also in the town centre is the railway station and line which unusually runs right through the centre of Paignton.
On the outskirts of town heading towards Brixham is Paignton Zoo which is one of the largest zoos in the country and covers a massive 80 acres, it was also voted the best attraction at the south west tourism excellence in England Awards 2005. Quaywest water park for wet and wild water fun is at Goodrington Sands nearby.
Brixham
BrixhamBrixham is chiefly and best known for its fishing industry, but this small harbourside town with its maritime heritage, narrow streets and typical coastal architecture has helped it grow into a popular resort and destination for day trippers.
Brixham is steeped in history from the landing of William Prince of Orange in 1688 to modern day and includes two Napoleonic forts at berry head and the mile long slipway which saw the loading of troops and equipment for the D-Day landings. You can also see the annual Heritage trawler race with its graceful wooden sailing trawlers.
The habour is the main stage for entertainment at Brixham and around the queyside are many pubs, cafes, restaurants and shops. In the main seafood is one of the highly recommended things to try on a visit and most cafes and restaurants offer a good menu to cater for all budgets. Also in the harbour is a life size replica of the Golden Hind which was Sir Francis Drakes flagship.
The cottages which surround the harbour are all brightly coloured making this a very picturesque scene and well worth a visit.
Agatha Christie
One of Torquays most Famous People.
Agatha Christie was born Agatha Mary Clarissa Miller in Torquay, Devon, to an American father and a British mother. She never claimed or held U.S. citizenship.Agatha Mary Clarissa, Lady Mallowan, DBE (15 September 1890 - 12 January 1976), also known as Dame Agatha Christie, was an English crime fiction writer. She also wrote romances under the name Mary Westmacott, but is remembered for her 80 mystery novels, particularly featuring detectives Hercule Poirot or Miss Marple, which have given her the title the 'Queen of Crime' and made her one of the most important and innovative writers in the development of the mystery novel.
Her stage play The Mousetrap holds the record for the longest run ever in London, opening at the Ambassadors Theatre on November 25, 1952, and as of 2006 is still running after more than 20,000 performances. In 1955, Christie was the first recipient of the Mystery Writers of America's highest honor, the Grand Master Award, and in the same year, Witness for the Prosecution was given an Edgar Award by the MWA, for Best Play. Most of her books and short stories have been filmed, some many times over (Murder on the Orient Express, Death on the Nile, 4.50 From Paddington), and most have also been adapted for television and radio.
With thanks to Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agatha_Christie
One of Agatha Christies Most Famous Inventions - Miss Marple
Miss Marple
http://www.tvrage.com/shows/id-1943 Joan Hickson as Miss Marple
Runtime: 2:42
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by Agatha Christie
Agatha Christie's Murder on the Orient Express
Amazon Price: $6.99 (as of 10/12/2008)
The Agatha Christie Miss Marple Movie Collection (Murder at the Gallop / Murder Ahoy / Murder Most Foul / Murder She Said)
Amazon Price: $37.99 (as of 10/12/2008)
Poirot - The New Mysteries Collection (Death on the Nile / Sad Cypress / The Hollow / Five Little Pigs)
Amazon Price: $35.99 (as of 10/12/2008)
Devon Travel Books
South Devon: Torquay, Paignton, Brixham, Dartmouth, Salcombe, Kingsbridge (Red guide)
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A HISTORY OF TORQUAY AND THE FAMOUS ANCHORAGE OF TORBAY.
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TORQUAY: THE CHARM AND HISTORY OF ITS NEIGHBOURHOOD.
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Penguins at Living Coasts Torquay
Torquay Pottery & Torquay Stuff on eBay
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John
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Posted February 20, 2008
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steveffeo
Lots of great information on this lens, makes me want to travel. I like the penguins :) Posted January 01, 2008 |
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TravelWarrior
BRought back alot of memories of childhood, me being a devon boy and all. Loved it 5* Posted July 27, 2007 |
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vnrozier
I used to know the place a lifetime ago in another world. Good lens Posted June 26, 2007 |
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More Torquay & Devon Links
- Top hotel in Torquay, Torbay Devon - Meadfoot Bay - murder mystery hotel
- Meadfoot Bay Hotel is a family run Torquay hotel with a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. Special events including Murder Mystery weekends and Elvis weekends.
- Fawlty Towers (1975)
- Fawlty Towers - Cast, Crew, Reviews, Plot Summary, Comments, Discussion, Taglines, Trailers, Posters, Photos, Showtimes, Link to Official Site, Fan Sites
- golf information torquay and torbay
- Golf Clubs in and around torquay, torbay
- Agatha Christie
- Agatha Christie, Grand Dame of Mystery
- Welcome to Living Coasts, Torquay's Coastal Zoo attraction, Devon
- Living Coasts, Torquay's Coastal Zoo! Located in Torquay, Torbay, Devon. A great visitor attraction with penguins, puffins, fur seals, ducks, avocets, black rats and much more.
- BBC - Devon - Discover Devon
- Everything Devon: Take a tour around Devon's towns and villages, get out and about into the great outdoors, learn about the Devonshire dialect and help us to fly the flag for Devon. Plus useful web links, contacts and information.
- Welcome to the Torquay Pottery Collectors Society
- If you are interested in Torquay Pottery, you need look no further. Welcome to the website of the Torquay Pottery Collector Society. Serving collectors of Torquay Pottery since 1976.
- Walking holidays in Devon and Exmoor
- West Country Walks. Walking holidays in Devon & Exmoor.
- Fawlty Towers the classic British comedy
- Fawlty Towers, the classic British sitcom from the 1970s set in a slightly crazy hotel in Torquay, represents the pinnacle of the golden era of television comedy.
- BBC - Weather Centre - 5 Day Forecast in Celsius for Torquay, United Kingdom
- The BBC Weather five day forecast for your selected town or city, showing the temperature in Celsius.
- KENTS CAVERN - It's all happening underground!
- Kents Cavern, a famous system of caves in Torquay, Devon, England, UK, is the most important palaeolithic site in britain
Sports News from Torquay South Devon
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