Torbay and The Red Cliffs:
Napoleon declared Torquay "beau" when he saw it from the sea (true,
he was a prisoner and there wasn’t much of it then), and certainly it
could be in the South of France when, in the sunshine, you look down
from most of its seven hills on the expensive boats in its harbour/marina,
windsurfers and water-skiers skimming its bay, and palm trees, very
well-kept public lawns and flower beds and posh-looking hotels lining
its sea front behind a sandy beach. People play bowls in white clothes.
The exotic impression fades in its streets, but name a likely resort
facility, sport or amusement and you can bet Torquay will have it, as
well as some fine houses on its hills.
The three towns of Torquay, Paignton and
Brixham surround a very beautiful bay and make up the West Country’s
largest resort. Paignton, less glamorous-looking than Torquay, has red
cliffs and sand and an excellent zoo. Brixham is the fishing port, with
still attractive harbour and tiers of coloured houses around it. There are
several sandy beaches, and boat trips across the bay and round Berry Head
(lighthouse) to Dartmouth.
North of Torquay is a mainly cliff-coast to the
boat-filled mouth of the long, broad River Teign estuary (Teignmouth )
. Above Teignmouth, its good golf course has wonderful views both inland
to Dartmoor and out to sea. The best route to Exeter and places east
is via it and the A380 – not the coast road which is mainly ribbon-developed, slow
and dull. The most beautiful route of all is by the main line railway (Brunel
designed) which for much of the way between Newton Abbot and Exeter
hugs the shore.
