Torquay
A Devon seaside town on the English Riviera, known for its sheltered bay, Victorian seafront, Stone Age caves and Agatha Christie connections.
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Torquay is a seaside town in Devon, southwest England, and part of the Torbay unitary authority. It sits on the north side of Tor Bay, about 18 miles (29 km) south of Exeter, and adjoins Paignton on the western side of the bay. The fishing port of Brixham lies across the water. The town grew from a fishing and farming village into a fashionable resort, and its mild climate earned it the nickname English Riviera.
Go for the beaches, the harbor and the Victorian seafront, and for Kents Cavern, a major Stone Age cave site with evidence of people living there for some 40,000 years. Agatha Christie was born in Torquay, and an Agatha Christie Mile tour has plaques about her life and work. The winters are mild but wet.
Torquay in five
- Treat the English Riviera as three townsThe Geopark covers Torquay, Paignton and Brixham plus 41.5 km² of sea, and designation dates from 2007. Torquay is the livelier resort, Paignton the family beach town, and Brixham the fishing harbor.
- Visit Kents Cavern on a dry or wet dayKents Cavern runs regular cave tours, and its site lists the days' tours. It suits wet weather and is a good fit when beach plans fail.
- Use the Geopark as your sightseeing filterThe Geopark site explains the area's rocks and lists geosites. A walk along the coast path or a boat trip shows what the designation is about.
- Choose rail or car before you bookTorquay has its own rail station and the bay road links the three towns. A car makes Dartmoor and Dartmouth easy, while a rail visit works for a beach break.Southwest England
- Combine with Plymouth if you have a weekPlymouth, to the west, adds a city, the Hoe and the ferry to Roscoff. Torquay stays the better base for beaches.Plymouth
Things to do in Torquay
See all attractions in Torquay
Need to know
- Airport
- Exeter (EXT) is the nearest; Bristol for longer trips
- Getting there
- By train via Newton Abbot or by car; check National Rail
- Getting around
- Walk the harbor; bus or taxi between Torquay, Paignton and Brixham
- Best base
- Torquay harbor for evenings; Paignton for family beaches
- Time needed
- 2 to 3 days; 4 with Dartmoor or Dartmouth
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRain14 rainy daysHigh9°Low5°Mild, quietJanuaryRain
Poor
- High
- 9°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 103 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, quiet
- FebruaryRain13 rainy daysHigh10°Low6°Mild, quietFebruaryRain
Mixed
- High
- 10°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 97 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, quiet
- MarchRain16 rainy daysHigh10°Low6°Cool, springMarchRain
Mixed
- High
- 10°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 113 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, spring
- AprilPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh12°Low7°Mild, EasterAprilPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 12°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 62 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, Easter
- MayPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh15°Low9°Mild, long daysMayPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 71 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, long days
- JunePartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh18°Low12°Long daysJunePartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 71 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Long days
- JulyPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh20°Low14°Warm, beachJulyPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 63 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, beach
- AugustPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh20°Low14°Warm, beachAugustPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 66 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, beach
- SeptemberRain12 rainy daysHigh18°Low13°Mild, calmSeptemberRain
Best
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 86 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, calm
- OctoberRain15 rainy daysHigh15°Low11°Autumn lightOctoberRain
Mixed
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 127 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Autumn light
- NovemberRain14 rainy daysHigh12°Low8°Wet, windyNovemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 12°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 119 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, windy
- DecemberRain16 rainy daysHigh10°Low7°Mild, short daysDecemberRain
Poor
- High
- 10°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 124 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, short days
Average daily high and low in Torquay, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Torquay
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
10
- Feels like
- 6°
- Humidity
- 71%
- Wind
- 35 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Torquay
10:38 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today11°8°0%Monday: Cloudy. High 11°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Tue12°8°2%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 12°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Wed10°7°2%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 10°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Thu10°6°16%Thursday: Cloudy. High 10°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 16%.
- Fri10°6°25%Friday: Cloudy. High 10°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 25%.
- Sat10°6°20%Saturday: Cloudy. High 10°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 20%.
- Sun9°5°19%Sunday: Cloudy. High 9°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 19%.
Updated 08:16 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 0.7469 GBP
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Plymouthalong the south Devon coastA waterfront city with the Hoe and a Brittany ferry.Read the guide
- Dartmoorshort drive northMoorland and tors inland from the bay.Read the guide
- Brixhamshort ride along TorbayA working harbor on the south side of the bay.
Before you go to Torquay
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Rules for Torquay, checked
- Visitors from many countries need an ETA or a visa to enter the UK, depending on passport. Check current entry rules on gov.uk before you book.Source
- Meat, dairy and plants brought from outside the UK are restricted. Check the rules on gov.uk before you pack food or plants.
- Dial 999 or 112 for police, fire or an ambulance anywhere in England.
- The legal age to buy alcohol in England is 18, and pubs and shops often ask for photo ID. Carry your passport or another valid photo ID.
- Tipping is optional. Check the bill first, since some restaurants add a service charge before you tip.
Plan around Torquay
A waterfront city with the Hoe and the Roscoff ferry
Read the guideDevonMoors, coast and market towns around the bay
Read the guideDartmoorMoorland a short drive inland
Read the guideSouthwest EnglandDevon, Cornwall and the roads beyond
Read the guideTrains, buses and carsHire cars and rural rail links
Read the guideAll of EnglandCities, rail, entry rules and money
Read the guideTorquay FAQ
Is Torquay worth visiting?
Yes for a beach and coast break in Devon, with a harbor, Kents Cavern and the Geopark nearby. Skip it if you want a quiet fishing village, because Torquay is a busy resort.
What is the English Riviera?
It is the name for Torbay's three towns, Torquay, Paignton and Brixham. The area is a UNESCO Global Geopark, designated in 2007, which includes 41.5 km² of sea and celebrates its geology.
How many days do you need in Torquay?
Two to three days cover beaches, Kents Cavern, a harbor evening and a boat trip. Add a day for Dartmouth or Dartmoor if you have a car.
Where should you stay: Torquay, Paignton or Brixham?
Torquay for restaurants and evenings, Paignton for family beaches, and Brixham for a fishing harbor. The bay is small, so a bus or taxi links all three.
When is the best time to visit Torquay?
May, June, July and September give mild weather and the warmest sea. July and August are the busiest, while winter is wet, windy and quiet with some attractions on shorter hours.