Let’s face it, we all want to do our bit for the environment and there’s a real push to “go green”. This includes using your car as little as possible. Luckily, that’s a quick win here on the English Riviera on the southern tip of Devon as you can easily arrive and get around without using your car.
Regular Train
Torquay has a main line train station just off the seafront, and in testament to it’s popularity as a Victorian seaside getaway, it has another at Torre Station just a 15 minute walk away so depending where your holiday accommodation is, you can get off at the most convenient. Our guests love it as it’s downhill all the way to The 25 Boutique B&B from Torre Station.
There's a direct train from Paddington Station in London to Torquay, and once you're here, trains are regular and easy to catch to all sorts of local towns like Paignton, Newton Abbot, Totnes, Plymouth and Exeter.
Steam Train
There’s nothing quite like a journey on a steam train and we have several in South Devon.
The most popular is the Dartmouth Steam Railway from Paignton which takes in the dramatic coastline to Kingswear (we recommend sitting in the observation carriage at the front). Then hop on the passenger ferry for a four minute crossing to the lovely town of Dartmouth.
Alternately you can get off at the Greenway stop and walk to Agatha Christie's home (now in the hands of the National Trust), the famous crime writer who was born in Torquay. The steam train links to a “round robin” system to include a boat and bus so you can travel in a circle, seeing several places in a day and ending up back in Torquay.
Another great ride is the South Devon Railway from Totnes to Buckfastleigh.
Land Train
Why walk when you can catch the land train? Taking a regular circular route around Torquay, you can catch it all over town including at the famous Torre Abbey. It’s a bit of fun and can be useful if you’d prefer not to walk too much.
Coach
Arriving by coach is just as easy as by train and with the station less than a mile from the town centre, it’s easy to walk or catch a taxi to were you’re staying.
Taxi
We have plenty of taxi firms locally so there’s never a very long wait. If it’s raining, sometimes it’s useful to catch a taxi.
Regular Bus
Our public transport is very good locally and you can get almost anywhere by bus. If you’re of the age where you have a bus pass then that’s great news. The main area where all buses stop is outside Debenhams in the harbour area of Torquay.
Open Top Bus
If you fancy an interesting morning or afternoon, why not take the open top bus? The friendly guys are full of facts about the area you tour round and it’s a great way to explore and see the sites.
Ferry
A novel way to get about down in South Devon is by ferry. The harbour in Torquay gives you the option of taking a ferry across to Paignton with its steam train, fantastic zoo and beautiful sandy beach, the little fishing town of Brixham with its independent shops, or picturesque Dartmouth.
Alternately just take a boat trip out to spot the dolphins, seals, other sea life and the hidden coves and caves along the shore.
Walking
Lots of things will be within walking distance of your B&B or hotel, and when the English Riviera is famed for its lovely sunny weather, why not make the most of it? Personally, I like to break up a walk with a G&T or an ice cream half way!
Torre Abbey, is one of the area’s biggest attractions with so much to see in one place – it’s a museum, stately home, art gallery, monastery all rolled into one, along with well-kept gardens, glass houses, a shop and café.
Or why not walk to Living Coasts – an award winning coastal zoo and aquarium? Their café has great views of the Bay and it’s an ideal all weather attraction.
There are of course sandy beaches, the South West Coastal Path, the harbour and shopping to also keep you busy in Torquay along with a huge array of bars and restaurants to suit all tastes and budgets.
A little further and you've got the delights of Babbacombe, St Marychurch or Cockington and all the attractions there too. Paignton is walkable as well.
Guided Tour
If you're looking to go further afield, such as Dartmoor National Park, then it may be worth spending a day out with Alex Graeme from Unique Devon Tours who offers award winning tours of the area.
As you can see, you'll have no problem filling at least a week without even getting in a car.
If arriving by train isn’t possible, why not arrive by car, park up, and not touch it until you go home? It's nice to get some fresh sea air and not have to be a commuter for a while. Not to mention the green benefits with large numbers of people not using their cars whilst in the area.
So, there's nothing stopping you having a car-free time in Torquay. Here at The 25 Boutique B&B, we have a large car park with plenty of space for all our rooms so we hope to see you soon.
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