Visiting Brixham? Discover the Best Things to Do in This Devon Harbour Town
With rows of colourful buildings reflected in crystal-clear harbour waters, Brixham is a picture-perfect English fishing port. Spend a day here and you’ll see why this seaside gem – half an hour from the Cary Arms & Spa – is a must-visit destination for visitors to the English Riviera. It’s not all about fishing, although sampling the seafood is a must. The town is also home to some fascinating histori-
cal attractions, a Blue Flag beach, and one of the largest tidal pools in the world.
This handy guide, which includes advice on the best and easiest ways to travel to Brixham, will help you make the most of your day out
Brixham’s maritime history and fishing heritage
This postcard-worthy harbour is the birthplace of modern deep-sea fishing trawlers, with a thriving industry built on centuries of seafaring grit. It was from these shores, in the 1800s, that Devon fishermen reinvented the way our entire nation fishes, dedicating themselves to building bigger, better boats that could catch more fish and deliver it fresher.
Today, it’s home to England’s largest fish market by value, with around 70 tonnes of fish arriving on boats every day. Trawlers land some 40 different species here, from sole to squid. Get up early to catch one of the fascinating fish market tours, which start at 6am on selected dates throughout the tourist season.
Best things to do in Brixham
For a gentler start to the day, begin with a stroll around the harbour and marina, where heritage trawlers and small fishing boats jostle for space. From here, explore the town’s narrow streets, then visit one or more of these attractions in Brixham:
• Step aboard a replica of Tudor explorer Sir Francis Drake’s ship, the Golden Hind.
• Learn more about the town’s naval history at the Brixham Heritage Museum.
• Take a boat trip from the harbour, where a number of small operators offer sealife safaris or sun-
set cruises.
• Walk up to Berry Head (about a mile from the harbour). This stunning headland boasts dramatic
views, an iconic lighthouse and a Napoleonic Fort.
Finish your day by sampling the morning’s catch at a local restaurant or tuck into takeaway fish and chips with sea views on the harbour wall.
Beaches in Brixham and coastal walks
Brixham is home to several pretty coves and secluded beaches, as well as a tidal swimming pool. Pack some swimwear and check them out:
• Breakwater Beach, beside the harbour, is a small, Blue Flag beach (Blue Flags are awarded for ex-
cellent water quality).
• Fishcombe Cove is a small, sheltered beach on the outskirts of the town.
• Churston Cove is another peaceful bay with clear waters, accessed by a long, steep path.
• St Mary’s Bay is a secluded sandy beach – accessed via steep steps – that’s a short walk from Berry
Head nature reserve.
• Shoalstone Seawater Pool is one of the largest tidal swimming pools in the world – a whopping 53m.
It’s free to use and usually open between May and September. Recently, the pool has been under-
going important renovation works to preserve it for the future, so check it’s open before visiting.
If you’re not a fan of sand between your toes – or the chill factor of UK waters – then turn a beach
day into a coastal walk instead. The South West Coast Path loops around Brixham linking all thesebeaches, via the harbour and Berry Head nature reserve.
Transport to Brixham and getting there from Cary Arms & Spa
There’s no train station at Brixham, so many visitors combine a train journey to Torquay or Paignton with an onward ferry or bus to Brixham. From Torquay, the seasonal Western Lady Ferry Service crosses Tor Bay to Brixham. It takes just 30 minutes and you might spot dolphins on the way! Out of season, the number 12 bus provides a regular service from Torquay Grand Hotel to Brixham.
From the Cary Arms & Spa at Babbacombe Bay, it’s around a 30-minute drive to Brixham, where you can park at the harbour. Alternatively, for an easy day trip from Babbacombe, take the number 22 bus into Torquay, then catch the ferry or bus to Brixham and back.
Stay at Cary Arms & Spa to explore Brixham and the English Riviera
After a day spent exploring this historic fishing town, return to a peaceful retreat with its own coastal charm. The five-star Cary Arms & Spa in Babbacombe Bay, near Brixham, is a luxurious base for exploring the entire English Riviera. As well as rooms with sea views, it also offers chic beach huts and cottages. Set yourself up for the day’s adventures with a hearty breakfast with coastal views. At the end of a busy day, soothe tired muscles in the spa and enjoy fine dining with ocean vistas. The restaurant menu features local seasonal produce – so your fish may have been landed that morning in Brixham.