Torbay facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Torbay
Borough of Torbay
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Borough and unitary authority area
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| Nickname(s):
The English Riviera
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| Motto(s):
Salus et felicitas
"Health and Happiness" |
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Torbay shown within Devon and England
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| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Constituent country | England |
| Region | South West England |
| Ceremonial county | Devon |
| Borough | 1968 |
| Unitary Authority | 1998 |
| areas of the borough (2021 census BUASD) |
List
Babbacombe
Brixham (Town and Parish) Chelston Churston Ferrers Cockington (Village) Collaton St Mary (Parish) Combe Pafford (Village) Ellacombe Galmpton (Village) Goodrington Meadfoot Paignton (Town) Preston Shiphay St Marychurch Tormohun (Parish) Torquay (Town) |
| Government | |
| • Type | Unitary authority |
| • Body | Torbay Council |
| Area | |
| • Total | 24.27 sq mi (62.87 km2) |
| Lowest elevation | 0 ft (0 m) |
| Population
(2021)
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| • Total | 122,466 (Unparished area) 139,324 (Unitary authority) |
| Ethnicity (2021) | |
| • Ethnic groups | Unparished area (Excluding Brixham)
List
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| Religion (2021) | |
| • Religion |
List
51.4% Christianity
46.5% no religion 0.7% other 0.6% Islam 0.4% Buddhism 0.2% Hinduism 0.1% Sikhism |
| Time zone | UTC0 (GMT) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+1 (BST) |
| Postcode district |
TQ1–5
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Torbay is a special area in Devon, England. It has its own local government, called a unitary authority. Torbay includes the towns of Torquay, Paignton, and Brixham.
This area covers about 63 square kilometers (24 square miles) around Tor Bay. This bay is part of Lyme Bay on the English Channel. Torbay is a very popular place for tourists. Its sandy beaches, warm weather, and fun activities have earned it the nickname English Riviera. Nearby areas are South Hams and Teignbridge.
Contents
History of Torbay
People have lived in the Torbay area for a very long time. Bones and tools found in Kents Cavern in Torquay show that humans were here during the Paleolithic (Stone Age). A piece of a jawbone from Kents Cavern might be the oldest sign of modern humans in Europe. It dates back about 37,000 to 40,000 years ago. Even Roman soldiers visited Torquay. They left gifts at a rock formation in Kent's Cavern called "The Face."
Early Settlements and Growth
The towns of Brixham and Paignton are mentioned in the Domesday Book from 1086. Paignton became a borough in 1294, meaning it could hold markets and fairs. The first big building in Torquay was Torre Abbey. This was a monastery founded in 1196.
In 1688, William, Prince of Orange, landed in Brixham. This was during the Glorious Revolution. He made a famous statement about protecting England's freedoms and the Protestant religion.
Torbay's Economy and Tourism
At first, Torquay's economy was based on fishing and farming, like Brixham's. But in the early 1800s, it started to become a popular seaside resort. It was first visited by the Royal Navy during the Napoleonic Wars. Later, it became famous with Victorian society.
The older part of Paignton is inland. The coast used to be a salt marsh. Kirkham House is a stone house from the Middle Ages. You can visit it at certain times of the year. The Coverdale Tower near Paignton Parish Church is named after Bishop Myles Coverdale. He published an English translation of the Bible in 1536. Paignton was a small fishing village until a new harbor was built in 1837.
Railway and Modern Torbay
The area grew even more when the railway arrived. Torre railway station opened in 1848. The railway reached Torquay Seafront in 1858, Paignton in 1859, and Brixham in 1861. Because of this growth, Torquay became a borough in 1872. In 1902, it started its first campaigns to attract summer tourists.
Torbay hosted the sailing events for the 1948 Summer Olympics in London.
The current area of Torbay was formed in 1968. It combined the towns of Torquay, Paignton, and Brixham. It also included parts of other nearby villages. In 1998, Torbay became a unitary authority. This means it manages its own local affairs.
How Torbay is Governed
Torbay Council is the local government for the area. Since 1998, it has been a unitary authority. This means it handles all local government services itself. It doesn't share responsibilities with a larger county council.
The town of Brixham has its own local council, called a civil parish. This is a second level of local government just for Brixham. The rest of Torbay does not have this extra local council.
Torbay was created as an administrative area in 1968. It combined the local governments of Torquay, Brixham, and Paignton. It also included the parish of Churston Ferrers. Torbay still remains part of the ceremonial county of Devon.
Torbay is represented in the UK Parliament by two Members of Parliament (MPs).
Geography of Torbay
Torbay has three main towns: Torquay in the north, Paignton in the middle, and Brixham in the south. Over time, these towns have grown together. They have absorbed smaller villages like St Marychurch, Cockington, Churston Ferrers, and Galmpton. Torbay is next to South Hams to the south and west, and Teignbridge to the north. Other nearby towns include Totnes, Dartmouth, Newton Abbot, and Teignmouth.
The southern edge of Tor Bay is Berry Head. The northern edge is Hope's Nose. However, Torquay itself extends further north into Babbacombe Bay. Here you can find beaches like Oddicombe, Babbacombe, and Maidencombe. These beaches are known for their interesting cliffs made of Breccia rock. Torbay has many unique geological features. Because of this, it is home to the English Riviera Geopark. As of 2008, it was the only urban geopark among 53 worldwide.
Torbay's Unique Plants
Because of the mild climate, you will often see "Torbay palm trees" along the coast. These are not true palms. They are actually Cordyline australis, which come from New Zealand. They are called "cabbage trees" there. These trees can grow well in other parts of the UK too. It is thought they became popular in Torbay because they were first brought to the UK in this region.
Settlements in Torbay
Torbay has many smaller areas that are like suburbs of the main towns. Here are some of the larger towns, villages, and hamlets:
- Torquay (with its suburbs)
- Paignton (with its suburbs)
- Brixham (with its suburbs)
- Maidencombe
- Yalberton
- Blagdon
- Churston Ferrers
- Galmpton
Economy of Torbay
Torbay's economy relies on several key activities. These include:
- Public service: Helping the many retired people who live there.
- Tourism: Attracting visitors to its beaches and attractions.
- Hospitality: Hotels, restaurants, and other services for tourists.
- Construction and repairs: Building and fixing things in the area.
- Transport: Including boats and other ways to get around.
- Distribution and retail: Shops and businesses that sell goods.
- Fishing: Brixham has one of England's most successful fishing fleets.
- Digital, media, and arts: Creative industries.
- Education: Many schools and places where people can learn English as a foreign language.
Brixham's fishing port is very important. It lands more valuable fish than almost any other port in the UK outside of Scotland. It is also a base for Her Majesty's Coastguard and the Torbay Lifeboat Station.
Torbay has "twin town" relationships with:
- Hameln in Germany (since 1973)
- Hellevoetsluis in the Netherlands (since 1989)
Community Improvement in Torbay
Some areas in Torbay, like Melville Hill, have faced challenges. This area has many historic buildings. In 2013, the local council started a project called "Making Melville Marvellous" to improve the area. This project aims to make the community better and improve housing. In 2020, the council found more money to restart these efforts. The goal is to make the area a friendly and welcoming place for everyone.
Education in Torbay
Torbay has many schools for children and young people. You can find a full list of schools in Torbay by clicking the link above.
Transport in Torbay
Roads in Torbay
Torbay is not directly on a major motorway network. It is mainly served by these roads:
- The A38 and A380 roads connect Torbay to Exeter.
- The A379 follows the coast through Torquay and Paignton. It then goes on to Dartmouth.
- The A385 road goes inland towards Totnes.
- The A3022 road serves all three main towns and has both single and dual carriageways.
Buses in Torbay
Most bus services in Torbay are run by Stagecoach South West. Some routes are also operated by Torbay Minibuses and County Bus.
Trains in Torbay
Torbay has three train stations that are part of the National Rail network. Services are run by Great Western Railway:
- Torquay railway station is near Torre Abbey Sands.
- Torre railway station is inland, on the road to Newton Abbot.
- Paignton railway station serves Paignton. From here, you can also take the historic Dartmouth Steam Railway to Kingswear. You can then take a ferry across the Dart River to Dartmouth. CrossCountry also offers some services here.
A new train station called Edginswell is planned for the future. It received funding in 2020, and a new design is being developed.
Notable People from Torbay
Many famous people have lived in Torbay, including:
- Sue Barker, a tennis player.
- Isambard Kingdom Brunel, a famous engineer.
- Lily Cole, a model.
- Peter Cook, a comedian.
- Agatha Christie, a famous novelist who set many of her mystery stories in a place like Torbay.
- Jim Davidson, a comedian.
- Edmund Gosse, a poet.
- Charles Kingsley, a professor.
- Rudyard Kipling, a novelist.
- Prog-rock band Wishbone Ash.
See also
In Spanish: Torbay para niños
