Visit Torquay

Bright and sunny Torquay is the genteel centrepiece of the English Riviera, famed for its palm trees, piers and promenade. Here you can experience all the seaside favourites with a choice of clean beaches, fun-packed arcades and a glitzy marina that features everything from fish and chip bars to high-end seafood restaurants.

Yet this traditional Victorian resort hides plenty of surprises too, like a vast labyrinth of prehistoric caves at Kents Cavern. This underground world is one of Britain’s top Stone Age sites, with stunning rock formations and exhibitions containing ancient man-made tools.

Nearby lies the quaint neighbourhood of Babbacombe, where a clifftop promenade offers gorgeous views of the coast. But it’s the pint-sized Babbacombe Model Village here that really draws the crowds. Explore the beautiful yet surreal gardens to see fire-breathing dragons, giraffe and even Dot Cotton, alongside more conventional sights.

Elsewhere, Torre Abbey has a garden with poisonous plants straight from the pages of Agatha Christie.