1. Surfing- Believe it or not Torbay has one of the UKs strongest surf communities in the country, including a few of the UKs best surfers. On a strong easterly wind the bay starts to get waves, this is relatively rare, perhaps only 30-40 days a year, but when everything comes together it can be as good as anywhere. Boards are available to hire from Harbour sports in Paignton if you don’t have your own, check out www.torbaysurfing.co.uk for more info.
2. Playing tennis in Paignton – There are free tennis courts in Victoria park, only a few minutes from Paignton town centre, why not grab a couple of mates and have your very own wimbledon.
3. Enjoy a costal walk – Torbay definitely has one of the most beautiful coastlines in the UK if not the world, with fabulous views accross the bay and on a clear day as far as Exemouthm there is really no excuse. Fabulous excersise and breathtaking to say the least. One of my favourites starts from Goodrington beach and walks along the coast to Brixham, waliking past Churston, the steam railway and some sheltered coves.
4. Cliff jumping – Definitely not advised and one for the brave and arguably foolish, popular spots include ‘devils armchair’ in Goodrington and the quarry in Babbacombe. Please make sure it is deep enough first. (Torbay Holiday Directory certainly doesn’t advise people to do this and takes no responsibility for the foolish who injure themselves.)
5. Crabbing – Grab a crabline and some bait and head down to either the rockpools at Preston beach, or the locals favourite Stoke Gabriel, where there are so many crabs it feels like cheating. (Its not uncommon to pull out 4 or 5 crabs at a time!)
6. Football – Ive currently got a world cup game on in the background, so this one seems obvious, grab a load of mates and head to a big open field and go wild, best places to play are probably Paignton or Preston Green (Just behind the beach.) Or the fields behind Paignton sports centre.
7. Have a picnic – There are many places that you and that someone special could have a romantic picnic, sugerloaf mountain (hardly even a hill let alone a mountain!) is an ideal location, but feel free to find your own secluded spot. Also another good idea is to get some fish and chips from Hanburys fish and chip shop in babbacombe (Award winning, and by far the nicest fish and chips ive ever had, even though a little expensive.) and eat them on the babbacombe downs.
8. Bird watching – Ok definitely not my cup of tea and something i have no idea on apart from hating every seagull in existence. However i have found this site which will be much more helpful.
9. Swimming at shalstone pool in Brixham – Although it is filled with sea water, Shalstone pool is lifeguarded in the summer, and contained from the sea at lower tides so is the perfect calm pool for a swim. Located near Berry head, signposted throughout Brixham so navigation shouldn’t be a problem.
10. Torquay museum – Located just up the road from the town centre and the bowling alley, Fans of Agatha Christie mysteries will love this museum, which displays unique personal photographs and other items related to the famous author’s life and career. – Boring i know but its free. Have fun
So there you go theres plenty to do in Torbay for free, these are just a few of the things and im sure ive forgotten loads, but its a start. So what are you waiting for use the navigation on the right to find some accommodation for your stay in the ‘Bay of dreams.’
Some photos courtesy of livelikeliquid.co.uk a professional photography outfit for Devon.
