Cities

Devon’s two cities, Exeter and Plymouth, both steeped in history and buzzing with activity and culture, have something to offer every taste from shopping to theatre, eating out to a night out, museums to water-sports. The lively resort of Torquay is dominated by its grand harbour side where chic fish restaurants offer great views.

Exeter

www.heartofdevon.co.uk

Exeter is a thriving city, brimming with character and steeped in ancient history spanning more than 2,000 years from Roman times. Today, it combines a wealth of visitor attractions and architectural splendour with a bountiful array of shops, restaurants, bars and live music venues.

Eating out in Exeter is a great experience for food lovers. A stroll around the city will reveal dozens of restaurants, many award winning, serving something to suit all tastes and budgets. Exeter provides a dining experience to rival the best in Europe, with fresh, locally produced food prepared with flair and imagination. Enjoy delicious expertly prepared local food, sample regional ales or treat yourself to a traditional Devon cream tea on Cathedral Green!

Visits to the following are an absolute must: 850 year old Exeter Cathedral, Britain's only Underground Passages, Historic Quayside - array of craft and antique shops, pubs and tea rooms, Theatres, Art Centre and Art Galleries. Exeter is surrounded by vast swathes of lush green Devon countryside, within minutes drive of the centre. Whether you're taking a holiday, if you are touring or looking for an interesting day out, whatever your age, Exeter has much to entice all year round.

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Plymouth

www.visitplymouth.co.uk

Plymouth combines all the vibrancy of a modern city with the heritage of a historic port. Its wealth of attractions and facilities, plus wide range of accommodation, make it an inviting destination for day trips and short breaks and, with its outstanding location between moors and sea, a perfect base for touring.

The city is the region's shopping capital. The modern pedestrian centre, with its floral displays and water features, is a delight for shoppers and sitting alongside is the recently opened Drake's Circus shopping centre. After dark the city comes alive with restaurants, clubs and bars. The Theatre Royal, one of the best theatres in the country, has a programme ranging from drama to musicals and Plymouth Pavilions is the major concert venue. Many of Devon's fascinating historic houses are within easy access of Plymouth and the Tamar Valley railway line gives you the freedom to enjoy this entrancing area.

Start your voyage of discovery by visiting spectacular Plymouth Hoe where you can climb Smeaton's Tower Lighthouse to enjoy the best view in Plymouth. In the Elizabethan Barbican, you will find the Mayflower Steps, where the Pilgrim Fathers set sail for America, and Plymouth Gin Distillery, producers of Plymouth Gin since 1793. Nearby is the National Marine Aquarium, the largest aquarium in the UK with the deepest tank in Europe. Get a taste of Plymouth's seafaring history with a cruise into Plymouth Sound and up the River Tamar, past the Devonport Royal Dockyards, with its frigates and nuclear submarines; you can admire too Isambard Kingdom Brunel's Saltash Bridge.

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Torquay

www.englishriviera.co.uk

Torquay's waterfront is packed with lively pavement cafes, bars and chic seafood restaurants, and the selection of unique boutiques is to die for. At night you have a choice of theatres, offering a great selection of shows.

Torquay has been one of the UK's top holiday destinations since Victorian Times when the gentry promenaded, bathing huts were wheeled down the beaches and anyone who was anyone had an attractive villa overlooking the sea. It was the Victorians who first used the Riviera name to describe their favourite resort and their legacy remains to this day with sparkling white villas perched on the verdant hilltops, beautiful gardens around the seafront and elegant Victorian facades along the main streets. Torquay"s famous seven hills provide the backdrop to a waterfront scene that matches anything you"ll find on the French Riviera.

Torquay's waterfront is the focus of life in the town. Here you'll find the palm-lined promenade, seafront gardens, a lively harbour and an international marina. Yet within minutes of the town centre there are beautiful beaches easily accessible by foot, road or water. There is an abundance of pavement cafes, pubs, restaurants and nightlife, good quality shops and a host of attractions to suit every interest. Explore Torre Abbey and wander through the Mansion House, home to the Agatha Christie Memorial Room and Torbay's art collection. Take a stroll along the Agatha Christie Mile, discovering places that inspired the life and works of the great writer.

Tourist Information

Devon has many Tourist Information Centres (TICs) whose staff have excellent local knowledge and are able to help and advise you about your visit to the county.

 

Exeter - 01392 665700

Plymouth - 01752 306330

Torquay - 01803 211211