Group Travel Tour Operator and DMC for Devon
English Riviera, Rivers and Railways
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Braveheart above Goodrington beach huts ©Courtesy of Dartmouth Steam Railway
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Dartmouth Castle with Greenway ©Courtesy of Dartmouth Steam Railway
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KC Kingswear ©Courtesy of Dartmouth Steam Railway
The beautiful English Riviera has been a popular holiday destination for centuries. The highlight of this tour is a journey from Paignton to Dartmouth by rail and also by river.
Dates
Dates throughout 2024 & 2025
Suggested itinerary by coach
Day 1
Travel to your hotel
Arrive in Torquay and spend some time exploring the seaside town and strolling along its palm tree-lined promenade. Torquay was the birthplace and home of Agatha Christie.
Day 2
Paignton and Dartmouth Steam Railway and River Dart Cruise
Located in the heart of the ‘English Riviera’ the Paignton and Dartmouth Steam Railway is arguably one of the most beautiful in England. Steam trains run for seven miles in Great Western tradition from Paignton along the spectacular Torbay coast to Churston and on through the wooded slopes bordering the Dart estuary to Kingswear. Carry on to Dartmouth by passenger ferry before joining the Riverlink cruisers along the magnificent River Dart. Sights include traditional cottages at Duncannon, Sharpham Vineyard, waterside villages and Greenway Estate as well as the grand Britannia Royal Naval College aloft its hilltop home.
Day 3
The Riviera Towns, Villages and Sanctuary
Travel to Sidmouth with its timeless charm, beautiful gardens and regency history. Enjoy free time in this lovely seaside to walk round the array of shops or along the picturesque seafront to Connaught gardens offering stunning views across the bay. In the afternoon, travel to The Donkey Sanctuary founded in 1969 by Dr Elisabeth Svendsen MBE. Through her amazing devotion to donkeys and hard work that the Sanctuary grew to the international charity and home to about 200 donkeys in small groups which can be seen on many of the walks around the Sanctuary.
Day 4
Plymouth
Travel across the wilds of Dartmoor to the maritime city of Plymouth. Explore the famous Plymouth Hoe and Barbican harbour front. There is a lot for history lovers to get excited about in Plymouth too: The Pilgrim Fathers, Sir Francis Drake, Lady Astor, Napoleon, Captain Robert Falcon Scott – and even Pocahontas – are just some names who have played a part in the city’s history.
Day 5
Return home
After breakfast start your journey home.
Suggested Hotels – Inspected by Greatdays staff
Toorak Hotel, Torquay ***
Situated just a short distance from the sea and the town centre, this charming hotel on two floors has its own restaurant and extensive leisure facilities shared with the other TLH Hotels. This includes a choice of lounges and bars and a huge indoor leisure complex with pools, sauna and solarium. There is also a games room, ten pin bowling and an indoor long mat bowling arena. There is a nightly programme of entertainment available in the resort. The 92 en-suite bedrooms are equipped with tea and coffee making facilities, TV and hairdryer. The hotel has a lift to most parts of the hotel and a large car park with coach spaces.
Carlton Hotel, Torquay ***
This charming hotel is located just a short distance from the sea front and town centre. It has its own restaurant and extensive leisure facilities shared with the other TLH Hotels. This includes a choice of lounges and bars and a huge indoor leisure complex with pools, sauna and solarium. There is also a games room, ten pin bowling and an indoor long mat bowling arena. There is a nightly programme of entertainment available in the resort. Relax in one of the 65 bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, TV, hairdryer and tea and coffee making facilities. There is a lift to most parts of the hotel and coaches can park on-site free of charge.
Derwent Hotel, Torquay ***
With a prime location close to the sea front and the town centre this hotel has its own restaurant and shares extensive facilities with the other TLH Hotels. This includes a choice of lounges and bars and a huge indoor leisure complex with pools, sauna and solarium. There is also a games room, ten pin bowling and an indoor long mat bowling arena. There is a nightly programme of entertainment available in the resort. Make yourself at home in one of the 174 en-suite guestrooms, each equipped with tea and coffee making facilities, TV and hairdryer. There is a lift and coach parking is available in the hotel’s large car park.
| Dates | 5 days / 4 nights |
| 2024 dates | Prices on request |
| 2025 dates | Prices on request |
