Monday, 5 July 2010
Marvin's guide to Anna Maria Island
Let Marvin, who speaks in Manatee but with English subtitles, guide you around this paradise island, as yet untouched by the gulf oil spill effects.
Wednesday, 13 January 2010
Snow, what snow?
For the average temperatures check out this website here - we think you'll see why so many people choose to retire here among the palm trees and golden sands.
For more information about this jewel in the English Riviera, check out the wikitravel listing here
Hope to see you soon! And when you come, come and stay with us at West Wing Cottage, the most exclusive holiday accommodation in the South West. Check us out at www.torquay.uk.com and discover true luxury for yourself.
Friday, 18 December 2009
Fishing for compliments
One of the best websites which guide you through everything fishy in the Bay is www.torbayfishing.com where some very experienced anglers give advice and tips on where to go and what to do when you get there.
They also give advice for beginners, some useful rig guides, news archives and a blog. Tempting? Why not take a bite/look...
Come and stay with us at Torquay's premier self-catering property. Visit www.torquay.uk.com and see what luxury really looks like.
Friday, 27 November 2009
Park for less, spend more
Torquay's biggest shopping centre is offering £1 parking to customers during December weekends. After Fleet Walk unveiled its Christmas lights last week, the council has announced a return of its 'Park for a Pound' scheme for weekends in December. And so the shopping centre has signed up to the initiative, meaning shoppers will also be able to park all day for £1 in Fleet Walk car park.
Parking for a pound gets under way next Friday and will run every weekend during the month including Boxing Day and December 27. The promotion means one £1 ticket purchased in any of Torbay Council's pay and display car parks after 6pm on a Friday evening in December will be valid right up until 10am on the following Monday.
Another good reason to visit Torquay - as if you needed one.
And if you want a millionaire's view to make your stay really special, you must check out West Wing Cottage, Torquay's newest and most spectacular rental property. See www.torquay.uk.com for more details
Friday, 20 November 2009
Santa Claus is coming to town
Little ones (and big ones) will love some of the fun events being put on by South Devon's two remaining steam railways. Both feature visits from the big man himself and special attractions for a truly magical day out your children will be talking about for years.
The Paignton and Dartmouth Steam Railway has a Santa special again this year, with two different experiences for you to enjoy. First the Santa Express leaves Queens Park Station where you will be welcomed by Santa’s helpers. When all are aboard the steam train, Father Christmas and his helpers will join you, where a present and lolly will be given to the children and a mince pie and festive drink will be enjoyed by all the adults.
This service runs on December 12th, 13th, 19th, 20th, 22nd, 23rd and 24th and departs Paignton 1:30pm, returning at 2:45pm.
The Santa Steam Special is just that. As you arrive at Queens Park Station you will be welcomed by Santa’s helpers. When all are aboard the steam train, Father Christmas’ helpers will join you for the scenic ride to Father Christmas’ grotto at Kingswear.
On the train there will be a festive drink and mince pie for the adults and a lolly for each child and the bar will be open for further drinks. On arrival at Kingswear you will enter a scene full of Christmas Magic. A world for children of all ages, with a pantomime and a visit to Santa’s Grotto for the children’s present. You will then return to Paignton on the train. Refreshments are available at The Belle Bistro at Kingswear.
Dates are December 12th, 13th, 19th, 20th, 22nd, 23rd and 24th, and the train leaves Paignton at 10.15am, returning at 12.45 or 3.15pm, and returning at 6pm.
Check out www.pdsr.co.uk for more details.
The other service is being run by South Devon Railway - www.southdevonrailway.org - and also features a turn from the man himself on return trip from Buckfastleigh to Totnes and back and a visit to Santa's grotto on the train.
The trip includes: presents for all the children, even the Under-ones, mince pie and mulled wine for Mum and Dad, non-alcoholic drink available, on request, tea and coffee on the train.All trains start from Buckfastleigh, where there is free parking.
What better way to get into the Christmas spirit?
Come to Torquay and stay with us a while in Torquay at one of the finest address in the town. See www.torquay.uk.com for more details
Friday, 9 October 2009
Big medium coming to town
Tickets to see Edward, who causes something of a split among those who have seen his work and watched him interact with audiences, have gone on sale for £51 and £61.
He is best known for his TV shows Crossing Over with John Edward and John Edward Cross Country, both of which are premised on Edward communicating with the spirits of the audience members' deceased relatives. Which is where the controversy comes in.
Edward is at the Princess Theatre on May 15 at 2pm. For tickets, call the box office on 0844 847 2315 or log on to www.princesstheatre.org.uk
Monday, 14 September 2009
Numbers down, but still going up
Babbacombe Cliff Railway one of only 16 funicular railways still functioning in the United Kingdom. It leads down to the wonderful Oddicombe beach from the far side of the small cafe on Babbacombe Road and is the only way to travel, once you consider the steep beach road has a one-in-three gradient.
At its peak the cliff railway was transporting up to 250,000 people a year but nowadays fewer people want to spend a traditional seaside holiday in this country so numbers have dropped somewhat.
In March 2005 28 people attended the first meeting of the Friends of Babbacombe Cliff Railway, a support group in co-operation with Torbay Council, which formed to preserve protect and promote the Babbacombe Cliff Railway.
The Cliff Railway opening times are 9.30am to 5pm, seven days a week, and the last up journey is signaled by the ringing of 'Talca', an old ship's bell, 30 and 15 minutes before the railway closes.
Visit www.friendsofbabbacombecliffrailway.org.uk for more information, and be sure not to come to Torquay without at least one trip on this historical gem.
Thursday, 20 August 2009
A big week for Torquay
The West of England Rowing Championship takes place on Saturday at Hollicombe Park and beach. High Society jazz band will be playing in the park from noon and refreshments will be available. Torbay Athletic Club is expecting more than 500 entries for the regatta 10km road race on Sunday at 7pm. On Monday Fantastic Fireworks is promising its best display yet.
More money has been added to the display to ensure the regatta can retain its claim to the title of best regatta fireworks show in the west. The display from Corbyn Head will start at 9.30pm.
Tuesday sees the Water Ski Spectacular by Torbay and South Hams Motor Cruising and Watersports Club. The best viewpoints are Princess Pier and Torre Abbey Sands. The display starts at 7pm.
On Wednesday members of the Rolls Royce Enthusiasts Club will be parking up their impressive motors at Living Coasts, Beacon Hill, Torquay. The cars range from the early 1920s to present day and will be joined by several Bentleys and an Aston Martin.
The Red Arrows will be taking to the air at 6pm on Wednesday.
Don't miss it!
Stay in the best self-catering holiday cottage in the whole of South Devon. With stunning views, a prestigious location and brand new interior, West Wing Cottage is the next level in holiday rental luxury. Visit www.torquay.uk.com for more details
Friday, 7 August 2009
Dem bones, dem bones...
The article opens: Deliberate cut marks on a 9,000-year-old human bone excavated in a west country cave more than a century ago suggest that prehistoric Devonians may have been cannibals.
Scientists at Oxford University have examined a fragment of human bone from Kents Cavern, near Torquay in Devon, after a curator spotted it in a mass of animal bone in a museum store. They concluded that it was part of the forearm of a human adult, and that the seven cut marks were deliberately made with a stone tool around the time of death.
The marks suggest that either the flesh was stripped or the body chopped into pieces – perhaps for ritual reasons or to make it more convenient to handle. The arm appears to have been fractured around the time of death. The bone is on display in the Ancestors exhibition at Torquay museum
Really, if we weren't such a tolerant lot down here, it would be quite easy to take offence at something like that. And, rest assured wary traveller, the days of Devonians gnawing on arm bones are long gone.
Now we prefer leg bones.
Stay in the best self-catering holiday cottage in the whole of South Devon. With stunning views, a prestigious location and brand new interior, West Wing Cottage is the next level in holiday rental luxury. Visit www.torquay.uk.com for more details
Tuesday, 28 July 2009
Don't be Gorm-less...
I am talking about the Antony Gormley installation which consists of 40,000 hand-sized terracotta figures which is on show at Torre Abbey's Spanish Barn.
Each of the figures that make up 'Field for the British Isles' was made by a community of families in St Helens, Merseyside. The sculptor, who is most famous for the The Angel of the North, directed the work.
Now the piece, which was instrumental in Gormley's Turner Prize victory in 1993, is the centrepiece of the abbey's year of contemporary art.
Amelia Marriette, keeper of art, said: "The exhibiting of Field for the British Isles is the start of a new era for Torre Abbey as a major centre for contemporary arts in the region. Field will create a strong impression on all that come to see it."
For more information visit http://www.torre-abbey.org.uk/
Stay in the best self-catering holiday cottage in the whole of South Devon. With stunning views, a prestigious location and brand new interior, West Wing Cottage is the next level in holiday rental luxury. Visit www.torquay.uk.com for more details
Tuesday, 21 July 2009
A ferry good day to you
You can catch one from Torquay, Brixham, Dartmouth, Greenway and Dittisham and throughout the year they run a number of special cruise events including:
Agatha Christie Greenway Estate Special
Dartmouth Regatta
Sharpham Vineyard - Click Here
Fishing Trips (wreck fishing, mackerel fishing and rough ground)
Dartmouth Castle Cruises
Evening Illumination and Sunset Cruises
Firework Display and Red Arrow Trips
Private Charters
Whatever you are looking for Greenway Ferry Services are sure to have something for you and your family for a memorable great day out.
For all bookings and enquiries call 0845 489 0418, email: enquiries@greenwayferry.co.uk or visit www.greenwayferry.co.uk
Stay in the best self-catering holiday cottage in the whole of South Devon. With stunning views, a prestigious location and brand new interior, West Wing Cottage is the next level in holiday rental luxury. Visit www.torquay.uk.com for more details
Tuesday, 14 July 2009
Captain Cayman?
Cayman golf is a family run business, which has been cleverly designed to create a short 18 hole (par71) golf course, built in nine acres of land on the outskirts of Brixham.
It claims to be a new concept of the traditional game of pitch 'n' putt golf and is fun for all the family and golfers alike.
It uses unique 'Cayman' golf balls which rewards the player for accuracy rather than distance and offers a reduction in land area thus being a friend to the environment by contributing to land and water conservation and to the reduction of pesticides and insecticides.
The 2009 prices are: adults £6, juniors under 12 years £4, clubs and Cayman balls are provided but a charge of £1 will be payable per Cayman ball not returned
Family Tickets (2 Adults and 2 Juniors under 12) are £18.
For more information visit www.caymangolf.co.uk and tell them we sent you.
Stay in the best self-catering holiday cottage in the whole of South Devon. With stunning views, a prestigious location and brand new interior, West Wing Cottage is the next level in holiday rental luxury. Visit www.torquay.uk.com for more details.
Tuesday, 7 July 2009
Road map to peace? Nah!
Supporters of the multi-million pound Kingskerswell scheme say it will ease congestion and boost Torbay's economy, but opponents claim a bypass could destroy the village and millions of pounds would be wasted.
If approved, 90% of the £123m cost will be met by central government, with the rest of the money coming from Devon County Council and Torbay Council.
Improvements on the A380 between Penn Inn and Kerswell Gardens are aimed at reducing congestion, improving air quality and road safety, with the new road bypassing Kingskerswell to link Newton Abbot to Torquay and Paignton.
Compulsory purchase orders were published in September 2008 for 11 properties which might have to be demolished to build the road.
The public inquiry, which is being held at the Passage House Hotel in Kingsteignton, is expected to last for 12 days. If you want to make your thoughts known - and it's unlikely you will sit on the fence on this one - you might want to get down there to register them.
When you come to Torquay stay in the only self-catering apartment to have its own sweeping lawn leading down to the sea. West Wing Cottage is located in a prime position overlooking the Bay and has been furnished to a high standard. Visit www.torquay.uk.com for more details
Monday, 29 June 2009
It's the Agatha Christie sketch, featuring John Cleese, he of Basil Fawlty fame, and is a bit of a classic. Enjoy!
When you visit Torquay come and stay in the very best holiday rental property in the Bay. West Wing Cottage is a two-bed luxury self-catering property for the discerning guest. With Heritage fixtures and furniture, a modern kitchen, and one of the best possible views over Tor Bay, it really is a special place. Visit www.torquay.uk.com for more details and to make a booking.
Friday, 26 June 2009
Bay appeals to boxer Michael
Monday, 22 June 2009
Walking around Torbay
But to help the visitor out, the English Riviera Tourist Board has published a booklet promoting 16 walks in Torbay and the surrounding area.
The booklet is available from the Tourist office. There is also an English Riviera walks leaflet, which contains some of the walks that use a significant part of the PROW network. You can view the booklet here
Two of the more popular ones take you from Maidencombe to Torquay, and from Torquay to Brixham, but it's really up to you.
One thing is certain, with the sun shining, the promise of an ice cream at your destination, and a good travelling companion, you are sure to have a walk to remember.
Friday, 12 June 2009
What's on, where and when
And if it's entertainment you want, check out this site for all the news on bands, performances, restaurants, and everything else you should know.
It's called What's On South West and is run by the local newspapers in the area - the Herald Express (Torbay), Herald (Plymouth), Express and Echo (Exeter) and Western Morning News (South West).
Visit www.whatsonsouthwest.co.uk/ to see what's on in the South West.
Tuesday, 2 June 2009
Great Create under way
Right at the minute there is something special going on at Coleton Fishacre, a beautiful National Trust property just outside of Torquay.
The award winning Great Create Festival of the Arts, now in its third year, invites all South West artists producing exceptional art in all formats to submit work for the forthcoming exhibition at Greenway, the National Trust’s glorious estate on the river Dart. The festival runs until June 28, 2009.
Greenway House, the holiday home of Agatha Christie, has opened for the first time this year following a major restoration project. There has been significant interest shown in the property and it is anticipated that visitor numbers will be strong during the festival.
There is no formal brief set but artwork should reflect current practice and The Great Create hopes to provide a platform for artists to try out new, challenging and exciting work, whilst being exhibited in formal galleries and gardens and attracting a wide audience.
For more information visit the National Trust homepage and search for Coleton Fishacre.
Tuesday, 26 May 2009
Magical place, funny name
Coleton Fishacre also known as "a garden by the sea" is a National Trust property which was built in the 1920s for the famous D'Oyley Carte family who built the Savoy Theatre and hotel and also well known for their theatrical connections.
It was the D'Oyley Cartes who developed these stunning gardens, which also boast breath-taking views of the coastline. The gardens descend to Pudcombe Cove and the coast path. The house and gardens can be found on the road between Churston (midway between Paignton and Brixham) and Kingswear, nestled in the hills.
For more information, visit the house's National Trust page here
Friday, 22 May 2009
Players cheered from the bus tops
As reported in the Herald Express newspaper, 'Thousands of Gulls fans lined Torquay's seafront and town centre pavements to hail their heroes, who were marking the historic Wembley victory over Blue Square Premier League rivals Cambridge United.
Last Sunday's 2-0 playoff win elevated Torquay United into the League, two years after they were relegated.
The players' bus, filled by everyone associated with the running of Torquay United, left Plainmoor at 6pm.
Fans cheered the bus and sang celebratory songs as it drove sedately off to Westhill Road before heading to Hele Road.
Paul Buckle, United's manager, said: "It's fabulous to see the people turn out in such numbers. Right up to the end of the season and beyond they never let us down.
"We're now building for our first season back in the league. This is where we start work."
The bus then turned into Newton Road, went on to Torre Station and then turned right into Avenue Road.
The noise from fans was incredible, with children running alongside the bus, waving their blue-and-yellow flags, while drivers honked their car horns.'
Truly it was a night to remember, let's just hope the coming season brings as much joy and happiness. And at least we won't have to play at Barrow again for a while...