Things to do in Brixham

Being in the midst of the popular English Riviera area of south Devon, you’ll never be short of things to do while in Brixham. Traditionally, the town is famous for its fishing port and the Fish Market which offer tours so you can see the trawlers bringing in that morning’s catch. The town regularly hosts sea food festivals, so it is the ideal destination for fans of fresh, high quality sea food.

Festivities all year around

As well as Food Festivals, one of the biggest events on Brixham’s busy calendar is the Pirate Festival which sees thousands of people flock to the town, many in costume, every year, other popular annual events include BrixFest which celebrates the town’s heritage and the Trawler Race. Being a fishing port and one of the main harbours in the south west, Brixham’s history is full of tales of piracy and smugglers and as such there are several festivals, events and activities to commemorate this part of the town’s heritage. Aside from the Pirate Festival, there are also regular Pirate Days which are aimed at children and the replica of the Golden Hind which stands in the harbour is a must see for visitors. Of course, fans of history will want to spend time at the various heritage centres and museums that are in the town which have seasonal exhibitions as well as permanent displays explaining more about Devon’s maritime history. Many of these museums offer free entry, so you can visit them as much as you like during your time in the town and spend as long as you like walking around the exhibits.

Centre for water sports

Boating and watersports are a huge part of life in Brixham. The Torbay is a favourite of sailors and boat enthusiasts because of its calm waters and mild climate so you’ll find plenty of opportunity to learn how to sail on dinghies, yachts and motorboats. If you want something a little more adventurous, you’ll also find lots of organisations offering a wide variety of water based activities including sea safaris, kayaking, diving, wild swimming, paddle boarding and more. Whatever your age or ability, there are sessions and courses open to you and many of these companies offer exclusive use of their equipment and instructors should you want to book as a group or family.

For those of you who prefer being passenger to captain, there are several boat and ferry excursions that can be booked from Brixham Harbour that will take you around the Torbay area and over to the neighbouring towns of Paignton and Torquay. These trips are great for those that want to see Devon from the waterways while heading over to explore these similarly popular towns or for those of you who want to undertake a fishing trip or wildlife safari. If you don’t have your sea legs, sitting in the harbour and watching the boats come in and out is a lovely way to while away a summer evening.

Walkers and hikers will love spending time in this part of Devon and it is ideal for anyone bringing their dogs on holiday with them. You can pick up the South West Coast Path, as well as many other walking trails through coasts and countryside. Brixham is part of the UNESCO accredited English Riviera Global Geopark and the Berry Head National Nature Reserve both of which have an abundance of wildlife and stunning views for you to enjoy. Nature and wildlife fans will want to keep their eyes peeled as it is common to see dolphins, porpoises, seals and sharks near the surrounding beaches and in the harbour!