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Region

English Riviera and South Devon

Base in Torquay or Paignton (2–3 nights); use the Riviera Line train for half‑hourly trips to nearby towns and the M5 for day trips to Exeter or Plymouth.

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Key facts · United Kingdom

Visa
Depends on your passport
Currency
Pound sterling (GBP, £)
Language
English
Plugs
G · 230 V
Time zone
GMT, BST from late March to late October
Rules in force · 10Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
  • Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
  • Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
  • Britain and Ireland ↗Neither the UK nor Ireland is part of Schengen: days spent here do not count towards the 90/180-day Schengen limit, and a Schengen visa does not admit you to either country.
  • Britain and Ireland ↗The island of Ireland runs on two currencies: euro in the Republic, pound sterling in Northern Ireland and Great Britain. Carry a card that pays in both without fees.
  • Britain and Ireland ↗Both islands drive on the left. Speed limits are in miles per hour in the UK (including Northern Ireland) and in kilometres per hour in the Republic of Ireland.
  • United Kingdom ↗Most visitors who do not need a UK visa now need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling; this includes EU nationals. Irish citizens are exempt. Check the UK government site for your passport.
  • United Kingdom ↗The UK is outside the EU and the Schengen area; a Schengen visa is not valid for the UK.
  • United Kingdom ↗Driving is on the left; London has congestion and emissions charges for most vehicles, so do not drive in the city.
  • Devon ↗A car is the difference between seeing Devon and seeing its stations; many lanes are single-track with passing places.
  • Devon ↗Exeter St Davids is the long-distance rail hub; Tiverton Parkway serves the M5 corridor.

The English Riviera is a sunny coastal stretch with sandy beaches, the half‑hourly Riviera Line railway, historic fishing towns and easy access to Dartmoor; a short base lets you explore the towns and the national park without a car.

Where to sleep

5 places in this region

Sleep base

Day trip

  • ExeterCity guide

    Cathedral and historic quayside, 20 min train from Paignton.

    Best Apr–Jul, Sep–Oct

    Open Exeter →

  • PlymouthGuide: planned

    Naval heritage, waterfront, 35 min train from Paignton.

    Page planned: listed so the region plan is complete.

  • Dartmoor National ParkRegion

    Hiking and tors, bus from Newton Abbot (check schedule).

    Open Dartmoor National Park →

Plan the nights

How to split the nights, day-trips and what to do with your bags

Open Plan the nightsClose Plan the nights3 partsNights · Day-trips · Bags

Night sequences

2 nights
Torquay 2, day‑trip Exeter or Plymouth
3 nights
Paignton 3, add Dartmoor day‑trip
  • A car is not required for the main towns; the Riviera Line and local buses cover them. A car helps for remote beaches or Dartmoor.

Day-trips door to door

ToFromDoor-to-door p50Last returnNote
Exeter45 minunknownCathedral, historic quayside; train 20 min from Paignton.
Plymouth50 minunknownNaval heritage, waterfront; train 35 min.
Dartmoor National Park70 minunknownHiking, tors; bus from Newton Abbot (check schedule).

Bags between cities

Luggage forwarding is not common in this region; most visitors carry bags on the train or use a car. Left‑luggage lockers are available at Paignton and Torquay stations (check).

When to go

Months and weather

Open When to goClose When to go2 partsSeasons · Climate

Seasons at a glance

From each city's month table

Pick a month to see where to go.

Show all 12 months, country by countryHide the 12-month table
CountryJFMAMJJASOND
Torquay
Paignton
Exeter
Devon (country-wide)
Go: the good monthsFair: workable, mixedPoor: heat, rain or hazeAvoid: storms, floods, closuresno data yet

Computed from each country’s own data; hover a country name for the source. Advisory countries are left out.

Climate strip

Month by month
Torbay
Mild weather, sea warm enough for swimming; fewer crowds than July‑August.

Getting in and passes

Arrival times and regional passes

Open Getting in and passesClose Getting in and passes1 partGet in

Get in

Door-to-door p50, 2026 estimate
FromToHowp50Note
Exeter Airport (EXT)Bus or train to Torquay/Paignton (≈45 min door‑to‑door)~45 minDirect bus service; train via Exeter St David’s to Paignton.
Brittany Ferries (Plymouth)Ferry to Plymouth then train or bus to Torquay (≈30 min)~30 minPlymouth is 30 km (19 mi) east of Torquay via A38.
London PaddingtonGreat Western Railway, 2 h 45 min to Exeter then 30 min to Torquay~3 h 15 minDirect GWR service to Exeter; change at Exeter St David’s.

Eat and move on

Regional food and where to go next

Open Eat and move onClose Eat and move on1 partGo next

Go next

Exeter

30 min train from Paignton

Historic cathedral and riverside.

Plymouth

planned

35 min train from Paignton

Naval heritage and waterfront.

Dartmoor National Park

planned

1 h bus from Newton Abbot

Tors, walking, wildlife.

Planning aids

Built from this guide's own data

Open Planning aidsClose Planning aids1 partIn numbers

Region in numbers

Where to sleep
2 bases
Day trips
3, 45 min to 1 h 10
Nights suggested
2–3 nights
Ways in
3 listed
Explore Torquay Up to Devon

Deep dive

Photos, reading and every source

Open Deep diveClose Deep dive1 partSources

Sources

Ask about English Riviera and South Devon

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