Babbacombe, Torquay

Blessed with a wonderfully mild climate – our roses are usually still in bloom at Christmas!

Babbacombe itself is rightly regarded as the Jewel in the English Riviera. Its celebrated Downs, with panoramic views across Lyme Bay to (on a very clear day) Portland Bill about 55 miles away, offers a range of cafés, bars, tea shops, restaurants and Babbacombe Theatre with its variety shows and musical acts.

The famous Cliff Railway takes you down to Oddicombe Beach, a blue flag sandy beach with water sports, beach huts and deck chairs and an excellent bar/restaurant.

St.Marychurch retains a charming village feel, with a pedestrian shopping precinct with a range of small independent shops, an assortment of places to eat or have a drink, the wonderful Model Village and the Bygones Museum.

Torquay

Torquay is just a short drive or bus journey away, with its harbour offering visitors the palm tree-lined promenade, colourful ornamental gardens, marina and waterfront with a range of shops, pavement cafés, bars and street entertainment, all creating a Mediterranean atmosphere. Located between the harbour and the long sandy beach, Torquay’s Princess Theatre stages a range of dramatic and musical productions for all the family, with shows often on their way to or just from the West End.

Paignton

Paignton is perhaps a more commercial holiday centre and has a backdrop of brightly coloured villas and a seafront with a long sandy beach and a pier. A small picturesque harbour is alive with leisure craft, fishing boats and a passenger ferry. Paignton also boasts its world-famous Zoo, a leader in conservation projects.

Brixham

Brixham lies further round the bay and its beautiful harbour is a major working fishing port surrounded by colourfully painted cottages and shops. The colours and light make it an artist’s paradise and many can be seen working on the quay.

Overlooking the harbour is Berry Head, a headland with stunning views and the ruins of a Napoleonic fort which provides a home for a variety of seabirds and wildlife.

And there’s more…

Visit Dartmouth by boat or steam railway and wander its quaint streets. Or take a cruise up the River Dart to Totnes, a bustling market town with historic streets and quirky shops. Or visit Dartmoor, a National Park with rugged and dramatic scenery. Or Teignmouth with its relaxed feel and charming side streets. Or Dawlish with its famous black swans. Or … well, there’s so much we could go on for pages.

Wherever you feel like going, Rose Court is an excellent base for the wide range of experiences and adventures offered by this charming part of the world, whether for a relaxing rest, a base for walks in the countryside or a traditional seaside holiday.