Torbay, Administrative borough in Devon, England
Torbay is an administrative borough in southwestern England comprising the three coastal towns of Torquay, Paignton and Brixham along the eastern shore of Lyme Bay. The borough forms a continuous strip of coastline with beaches, harbors and cliffs extending for several miles.
The area developed into a resort destination during the 19th century when railway connections brought holidaymakers from industrial cities. The borough itself formed in 1968 when the three towns merged into a single administrative unit.
The area earned the nickname English Riviera, a reference to its mild climate and palm-lined promenades that feel more Mediterranean than typically British. Visitors notice the influence of Victorian tourism in the grand seafront hotels and ornamental gardens still visible today.
The three railway stations in Torquay, Paignton and Torre provide connections from other parts of the country and link the towns together. Coastal paths between the towns offer walking routes with sea views and pass through parks and residential neighborhoods.
Brixham hosts one of the largest fishing ports in England and supplies fresh catch to markets daily. Visitors can watch fishermen unload their boats and auctions take place on the quayside in the early morning.
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