Discover | Brixham
The area of Torquay, Paignton and Brixham are collectively known as the English Riviera or Torbay.
This is a very popular area for scuba diving as there are plenty of wrecks to explore. With an average depth of approximately ten metres and a predominantly sandy seabed, visibility is generally good. However, it should be noted that in times of Easterly winds visibility can be significantly reduced.
The steam ship the Bretagne, a World War One wreck which sank on August 10th 1918, can be reached from a small boat launched from Brixham, Torquay or Paignton.
Sea fishing, either from the shoreline or boat, offers a wide variety of different species to be caught. Fishing trips can be arranged from the harbour at Torquay, Paignton or Brixham. If you are lucky during the Summer months you may get to see Dolphins, Sun Fish or Basking Sharks.
Coastal or countryside, there is a good range of walking and hiking in the area. If you take the coastal route, which forms part of the South West Peninsula Coast Path, you will walk one of the furthest of the long distance paths in England.
Torbay is also a tremendous area for a variety of rock climbing with cliffs, sea stacks and the nearby National Park of Dartmoor providing its vast plateau of granite; These jutting rocks are known as tors.
Dartmoor provides excellent walks through rugged moorland. Streams meander through Dartmoor and wild heather grows abundantly.
Brixham is approximately five miles from Paignton; The area is famous for its fishing harbour and life here has revolved around the sea for centuries. At the harbour you can sample the freshly caught seafood from one of the various stalls and enjoy a pleasant stroll. The two main industries in the area are fishing and tourism and on this bustling harbour they compliment each other perfectly.
Within easy walking distance of the town you will find some of Torbay’s most dramatic scenery, the cliffs of Berry Head. This headland is classed as an area of outstanding natural beauty.
Adjacent to Brixham harbour is breakwater beach. With its shingle shores and rock pools at one end, the beach is very popular for scuba diving. It has been awarded the Blue Flag and seaside award.
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