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THE ENGLISH
RIVIERA
 The
English Riviera is a term commonly used to refer to Torbay in the south-west
of England. The Victorians were the first to use the Riviera name to describe
one of their favourite resorts, mainly due to Torbay's similarity with the
French Riviera. This is mostly a result of Torbay's favourable coastal micro-climate.
As the bay is in the shape of a horseshoe
facing southeast, it forms a perfect suntrap. The heights of Dartmoor, immediately
to the north west, protect the resort from the prevailing winds, and the Gulf
Stream brings into the bay warmer waters, the end result being a climate that
is much milder that that experienced by most of the UK. Winters are mild and
short, while spring and summer often extend far beyond the UK norm.
The nickname 'English Riviera' has
therefore endured as a means of attracting tourism, and is often used in conjunction
with the 'Torbay Palm', originating from New Zealand, which has been adopted
as the symbol of Torbay in almost all official promotional material.
Torbay consists of three main towns
which are all resorts in their own right, these are Torquay, Paignton, and
 Brixham.
Torquay is at the northern end of Torbay and is the largest of the towns.
The town is built on a number of inter-linked hills that give dramatic views
over the bay. Torquay has a picturesque harbour and a sweeping promenade which
is tucked under a steep hillside and is the location of the famous palm trees.
It is this area which is reminiscent of the French Riviera. One of the main
attractions of the town is the excellent beaches; the three best known being,
Torre Abbey Sands, located in front of the town and Babbacombe and Oddicombe
Beaches located to the rear of the town. Paignton is situated in the middle
of the bay's crescent and is a pleasant family orientated resort. The town
is a traditional seaside resort with plenty of attractions and there are several
wide sandy beaches to choose from - Preston Sands, Paignton Beach and Goodrington
Sands. Brixham is located at the southern end of the bay and is a traditional
fishing port that still has a large fleet of boats operating. The town is
built on several hills that overlook the large harbour. There are no bathing
beaches as such in the town but there are several beaches nearby. Also nearby
is Berry Head Country Park, which is a headland that forms the southern most
point of the bay. It is a clifftop area which offers spectacular views over
the whole bay.
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