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 2QT, TQ2 5BB, TQ2 8BZ, TQ2 8QP, TQ1 3EU, TQ1 1DP, TQ1 3AH, TQ2 5FA, TQ2 8QX … 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
- Riviera Lodge Hotel 4
- The Devon Court
- Hotel Peppers 4
- Haytor Hotel 4
- Cary Arms & Spa 5
- Belgrave Sands Hotel & Spa 4
- The Norwood 4
- Hampton by Hilton Torquay 3
- Lincombe Hall Hotel & Spa - Just for Adults 4
- The Hotel Balmoral - Just for Adults 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