Places of Interest in Devon

Plymouth

Something for everyone.

In Plymouth, whatever the season, you´ll never be lost for something great to do. As the regional capital of Devon and Cornwall , Plymouth is an extra-ordinary blend of vibrant modern city and historic seafaring port.

Ancient and modern Visit world famous heritage sites like Plymouth Hoe and Mayflower steps. In the Barbican, you can enjoy centuries of maritime tradition. Or you can take to the sea yourself with a choice of boat-trips, fishing, wind-surfing, scuba diving and water skiing.

Plymouth Dome

An Award winning visitor centre on Plymouth Hoe offering a journey through 400 years of local history. Features include the voyages of Drake, Cook, the Pilgrims and the devastation of the Blitz.


There is much to do and see and enjoy at the Plymouth Dome, with plenty to touch and stirring commentaries to listen to - even some interesting smells.

Plymouth Dome aims to educate, inspire and entertain all people with a sense of the past and present life of Plymouth and its place in world history........

Experience Plymouth 's historic past and discover the voyages and people who have set sail from Plymouth Sound and shaped the world. Brave the high seas with Drake, Cook and the Mayflower.

Walk through an Elizabethan Street . Witness the Luftwaffe's devastation of this great port during the Wold War II. Explore the stunning views of Plymouth Sound from the Dome's two observation galleries.

British Fireworks Championships Final

Six more fireworks companies battle it out over two nights for the title of Fireworks Champion of Great Britain bringing the night-time skies alight with colour

Thousands of people will turn out to watch the skies above Plymouth light up for the British Fireworks Championships.

The spectacular display on Plymouth 's waterfront is all the more fun....because it is free of charge!

Three teams put on their shows on the first night, and the other three show off their displays on the second night.

The six displays are judged on rhythm, pattern, creativity and continuity. The winner goes through to represent Britain in the International competition.

The fireworks are let off from pontoons in Plymouth Sound, providing a spectacular sight for the crowds gathered at the Hoe.

Many people go out to the boats to watch the extravaganza. During the event, an exclusion zone is set up 100 metres to the north and south of the Mountbatten breakwater to safeguard shipping and prevent boats getting too close.

Torquay:

If you're an avid Football fan visit Torquay united at www. torquay united.com

Torquay for that special continental flair with a real Riviera café culture, glitzy marina, top attractions, lively nightlife and specialist shopping. Paignton for an all round family friendly resort with miles of beautiful safe sandy beaches and world class attractions. Brixham for maritime character with its busy fishing port, buzzing quayside shops and cafes and the remote beauty of the Berry Head clifftops. Add them together and you have the English Riviera - the perfect year-round holiday choice. Much of the west country, including Plymouth , Exeter , Dartmouth and Dartmoor , is well within reach making us an ideal touring base from which to explore the region.

Torquay has been one of the UK 's top holiday destinations since Victorian Times when the gentry promenaded, bathing huts were wheeled down the beaches and anyone who was anyone had an attractive villa overlooking the sea. It was the Victorians who first used the Riviera name to describe their favourite resort and their legacy remains to this day with sparkling white villas perched on the verdant hilltops, beautiful gardens around the seafront and elegant Victorian facades along the main streets. Torquay's famous seven hills provide the backdrop to a waterfront scene that matches anything you'll find on the French Riviera.

Torquay's waterfront is the focus of life in the town. Here you'll find the palm-lined promenade, seafront gardens, a lively harbour and an international marina. Yet within minutes of the town centre there are beautiful beaches easily accessible by foot, road or water. There is an abundance of pavement cafes, pubs, restaurants and nightlife, good quality shops and a host of attractions to suit every interest

Cockington is a Domesday Book traditional country estate, complete with manor house, church, formal gardens, village, water-wheel, woodlands, meadows and pasture. It is famous for its well-kept thatched cottages and pleasant environment, right on the edge of Torquay and only minutes away from the busy sea-front. It is also now becoming well-known as the home of quality craftsmanship with the rebirth of Cockington Court , the old manor house, as a Craft Centre. Here resident craftspeople produce high-quality craftwork from their studios. The Trust owns the freehold to the world-famous Cockington Village , including its thatched Forge and the Lutyens-designed Drum Inn.

From Scadson Woods, or from the seafront at Livermead, or even from the Ring Road, you can walk into Cockington and explore its 10 km/6 m long network of country footpaths and horse-riding routes

Torquay may owe its very existence as the resort we know today to the French war at the end of the 18th Century. It was at this time that it gained a reputation among the families of naval officers stationed in the bay for its pleasant climate and sheltered situation. An early visitor in 1794 is recorded as saying “Instead of the poor uncomfortable village we had expected, how great it was our surprise at seeing a pretty range of neat new buildings, fitted up for summer visitors, who may certainly here enjoy carriage rides, bathing, retirement and a most romantic situation.”

Its reputation spread rapidly and attracted those unwilling or unable to make the long journey to the south of France . In the 19th century its inhabitants were reported to be of the “highest class” living a fine lifestyle with many servants and tradespeople around to the meet their every whim. Many grand villas and terraces were built during the time and it is these fine buildings that form a large proportion of our present day hotels such as the Bishop's Court built in 1844 and now grade II listed, the Livermead House, one of the first seafront buildings and the Osborne Hotel, part of a fine terrace overlooking the sea.

Torquay's history of course stretched much further back than the 1800s. The famous picture-postcard village of Cockington has a recorded history stretching back nearly a thousand years. Soon after the Norman Conquest a family who became known as the de Cockingtons were given the manor. From that time (about 1070) until 1930, Cockington had only three owners – the de Cockingtons (who lived there for 281 years); the Carys (1375 – 1654); the Mallocks (279 years). Cockington was the venue for the Devon County Agricultural Show of 1882 an event which runs to this day but now takes place at a vast showground near Exeter .

Exeter

Why not fly to Exeter from different locations in the UK and abroad visit www.exeter-airport.co.uk for further information.

Come and share in the magic of our colourful, cosmopolitan City, surrounded by countryside, just a few miles from the sea.

Regional capital of the South West, Exeter is a confident, vigorous city and a hugely popular tourist and conference destination.

Discover 2000 years of history and heritage, shop in covered malls and cobbled alleyways, enjoy a year-round programme of events and activities and explore the nearby coast, countryside and national parks. Whether in search of a short break, a longer holiday or just a fun day out, Exeter is the perfect destination.

Exeter is a city brimming with history and heritage and has a wealth of visitor attractions to keep you occupied and amused for hours on end. From the Underground Passages and Cathedral, to the Guildhall and Royal Albert Memorial Museum there's so much to see and do in this cosmopolitan city.

St Nicholas Priory The 900 year old guest wing of a former Benedictine priory and one of Exeter ' s hidden jewels. A fascinating building with grand guest hall, Norman kitchen and undercroft, Tudor room and winding staircases. St Nicholas Priory can be found down a lane called The Mint which runs from Fore Street to Bartholomew Street West