Torquay sits on the sheltered bay of Torbay on the south coast of England, known locally as part of the English Riviera for its sheltered beaches, palm-lined seafront, marina and relatively mild microclimate. The town combines a Victorian and Edwardian resort character - promenades, hotels and a busy harbour - with rocky headlands and sandy coves, popular with holidaymakers and day-trippers alike.
Historically a fishing village turned fashionable 19th-century resort, Torquay now relies heavily on tourism, hospitality and the service sector, and is also a draw for retirees. It has a strong cultural identity thanks to connections with Agatha Christie, an annual literary festival and local attractions such as Kents Cavern, while the wider coast carries UNESCO Global Geopark recognition, reflecting both its geological interest and long history of human occupation.
Postcode districts covering Torquay
Most populated places nearby
- Exeter 16.2 miles
- Paignton 3.5 miles
- Newton Abbot 4.8 miles
- Exmouth 11.6 miles
- Teignmouth 4.9 miles
- Brixham 6.6 miles
- Sidmouth 19 miles
- Ivybridge 18.6 miles
- Kingsteignton 5.5 miles
- Dawlish 7.4 miles
Neighbouring places
- St. Marychurch Ward 0.6 miles
- Barton with Watcombe Ward 0.9 miles
- Ellacombe Ward 1 mile
- Tormohun Ward 1 mile
- Shiphay Ward 1.6 miles
- Wellswood Ward 1.7 miles
- Coffinswell Parish 2.1 miles
- Cockington with Chelston Ward 2.1 miles
- Kingskerswell Built-up area 2.5 miles
- Stokeinteignhead Built-up area 2.6 miles
- Kerswell-with-Combe Ward 2.7 miles
- Shaldon & Stokeinteignhead Ward 2.8 miles
Example postcodes in Torquay
TQ1 1RQ, TQ1 1LP, TQ2 5YH, TQ1 3BQ, TQ2 8AZ, TQ1 9SL, TQ1 1NR, TQ1 2BY, TQ1 1SY … See all
Transport links
- Exeter International Airport 17.9 miles
- Cardiff Airport 63.5 miles
- Torre Railway Station 1.2 miles
- Torquay Railway Station 1.8 miles
Hotels in Torquay Ad
- Belgrave Sands Hotel & Spa 4
- Osborne Hotel 4
- Hampton by Hilton Torquay 3
- The Headland Hotel & Spa 3
- The Imperial Torquay 4
- The Hotel Balmoral 3
- The Shirley 4
- The Heritage Hotel 2
- The Grand Hotel 4
- The Caledonian Torbay Hotel 3
Schools in Torquay
- Abbey School Independent - primary
- All Saints Babbacombe C of E Primary School Primary
- Combe Pafford School Special
- Eat That Frog C.I.C Special
- Ellacombe C of E Academy Primary
- Homelands Primary School Primary
- Ilsham C of E Academy Primary
- Lift Barton Hill Primary
- Mayfield School Special
- Priory Roman Catholic Primary School, Torquay Primary
- St Cuthbert Mayne School Secondary
- St Margaret's Academy Primary
- St Marychurch C of E Primary and Nursery School Primary
- The Spires College Secondary
- Torquay Academy Secondary
- Torre C of E Academy Primary
- Upton St James C of E Primary School Primary
- Warberry C of E Academy Primary
- Watcombe Primary School Primary
Local points of interest
- Oddicombe Beach Beach 0.5 miles
- Plainmoor Stadium 0.6 miles
- Babbacombe Beach Beach 0.9 miles
- Newton Abbot Racecourse Recreation 4.8 miles
- Goodrington Sands Beach 5.1 miles
- Exmouth Marina Marina 10.2 miles
- Exeter Racecourse Recreation 10.9 miles
- Buckfast Abbey Historic site 11 miles
- Slapton Sands Beach 14.7 miles
- Bishops Court Estate 16.3 miles
- Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery Museum 16.5 miles
- St James Park Stadium 17 miles