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 miles26 km
- Paignton 3.5 miles5.7 km
- Newton Abbot 4.8 miles7.8 km
- Exmouth 11.6 miles18.7 km
- Teignmouth 4.9 miles8 km
- Brixham 6.6 miles10.6 km
- Sidmouth 19 miles30.6 km
- Ivybridge 18.6 miles29.9 km
- Kingsteignton 5.5 miles8.9 km
- Dawlish 7.4 miles11.8 km
Neighbouring places
- St. Marychurch Ward 0.6 miles1 km
- Barton with Watcombe Ward 0.9 miles1.4 km
- Ellacombe Ward 1 mile1.6 km
- Tormohun Ward 1 mile1.6 km
- Shiphay Ward 1.6 miles2.6 km
- Wellswood Ward 1.7 miles2.7 km
- Coffinswell Parish 2.1 miles3.3 km
- Cockington with Chelston Ward 2.1 miles3.4 km
- Kingskerswell Built-up area 2.5 miles4.1 km
- Stokeinteignhead Built-up area 2.6 miles4.2 km
- Kerswell-with-Combe Ward 2.7 miles4.3 km
- Shaldon & Stokeinteignhead Ward 2.8 miles4.4 km
Example postcodes in Torquay
TQ2 7GE, TQ2 7TL, TQ2 5JW, TQ1 3RU, TQ1 3HG, TQ1 4UP, TQ1 2PB, TQ2 5ER, TQ2 5YH … See all
Transport links
- Exeter International Airport 17.9 miles28.8 km
- Cardiff Airport 63.5 miles102.2 km
- Torre Railway Station 1.2 miles1.9 km
- Torquay Railway Station 1.8 miles2.9 km
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
- The Hotel Balmoral - Just for Adults 3
- Lincombe Hall Hotel & Spa - Just for Adults 4
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 miles0.8 km
- Plainmoor Stadium 0.6 miles1 km
- Babbacombe Beach Beach 0.9 miles1.4 km
- Newton Abbot Racecourse Recreation 4.8 miles7.8 km
- Goodrington Sands Beach 5.1 miles8.1 km
- Exmouth Marina Marina 10.2 miles16.4 km
- Exeter Racecourse Recreation 10.9 miles17.5 km
- Buckfast Abbey Historic site 11 miles17.7 km
- Slapton Sands Beach 14.7 miles23.7 km
- Bishops Court Estate 16.3 miles26.3 km
- Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery Museum 16.5 miles26.6 km
- St James Park Stadium 17 miles27.3 km