- Great coastal walks
- Explore the maritime history
- Take the ferry to Torquay
A cosy coastal town with beautiful views and rambling countryside, Brixham can be found at the south end of the English Riviera. A busy fishing port with a fascinating history, including the inspiration for world famous hymns and being the landing place of William Prince of Orange, this picturesque corner of Devon is a delight to explore. From the bustling harbour filled with trawlers and yachts, to the tranquil nature reserve at Berry Head, there is plenty to enjoy during your stay.
Restaurants, pubs, bistros and cafes line the harbour along with colourful cottages, whilst families can enjoy the many attractions in the region. The coastline is interspersed with coves such as Churston, Fishcombe and St. Mary’s Bay if you are looking for a quieter beach, while Breakwater beach has parking, a lifeguard in the summer and the Breakwater Bistro serving meals and takeaway food.
Food and Drink
Brixham is blessed with a wide variety of places to eat, many of which are on the harbour front. Here you will find restaurants such as Number 15, The Poopdeck and Beemers, along with coffee shops and traditional fish and chips. Explore the town to find other well regarded restaurants such Bacci or Bistro 46. From traditional English pubs with local ale and scrumptious pub grub, to top local restaurants serving freshly-caught fish and meat from local farms, Brixham comes complete with a host of dining options.
Freshly caught fish can be bought from the local fishmonger (Stefan's Fishmongers on Middle Street) while The Brixham Deli provides a vast array of Mediterranean-themed delicacies.
Family Attractions
Asides from the number of beaches in Brixham, explore the Golden Hind replica in the inner harbour. If you prefer to stay on dry land, many visitors to Brixham take up the challenge of crabbing from the harbour wall. And if it rains, Brixham has an indoor swimming pool and Whiz Kidz soft play centre in the town.
There are numerous big days out in the area including the award winning Paignton Zoo, The Model Village and Kents Cavern in Torquay and the Paignton and Dartmouth Steam Railway. Further afield Crealy Adventure Park and Woodlands offer thrills and spills in equal measure.
Shopping
A wide range of independent shops compliment the high street names in the high street – supermarkets include Tesco Metro and the Co-op. Gift shops line the harbour, along with artist and photography shops, maritime and fishing supplies, plus newsagents and a model shop. The unique coffin house plays host to Destiny, a spiritual healing shop, while numerous clothing boutiques can be found throughout the town.
Further afield, there are large out of town Sainsburys and Morrisions supermarkets in Paignton, or take the ferry across the River Dart to Dartmouth for a great range of art galleries and marine outlets.
History and Heritage
From a listing in the Doomsday book which had the population at just 39, to the bustling port of 17,000 that welcomes visitors today, Brixham is steeped in fascinating history. In 1688, William Prince of Orange landed in Brixham, and today a prominent statue on the harbour marks this, while local legend states that Reverend Francis Lyte wrote the famous hymn ‘Abide with me’ whilst looking over the bay from Berry Head. The Iron Age fort ruins at Berry Head are well worth a visit, while American servicemen made their D-Day departure from the breakwater.
Once a very prominent ship-building town, Brixham’s last major build was a replica of the Mayflower in the mid 1950’s which still resides today in Boston, America. Today, Brixham’s port is used for its prominent fishing industry, and many of the town’s properties started life as fisherman’s cottages.
Beaches
The most popular beach is the Breakwater where on parking is available within yards of the shingle, along with eat in and takeaway food at the Breakwater Bistro. The beach is a pleasant 10 minute walk along the harbourside from the town centre. Beyond the Breakwater lies Shoalstone with rocky outcrops and the open air swimming pool where it is also possible to park.
The geology of the area means there are a number of picturesque coves in the area offering a quieter escape if you are able to walk the coastal path. St. Mary’s Bay and the coves at Churston, Fishcombe and Elberry have a pretty setting where boats often drop anchor, while a short car journey will take you to Broadsands, which benefits from extensive parking, on site dining facilities and manned lifeguard posts.
Events and Entertainment
Brixham has a small local theatre with regular performances throughout the year, while cinemas are available in the area at Paignton where there is a 10 screen multiplex on the seafront and in Torquay centre. Other theatres in the area include the Palace Avenue at Paignton and the Princess Theatre and Babbacombe Theatre in Torquay.
Regular events in Brixham include the Pirate Festival in early May, the Heritage Festival over May half term week, the Brixham Trawler Race in mid-June, Brixham Hap’nin music festival in mid-July, and Brixham Fishstock in September.
Activities
For those looking to pursue their favourite hobby on holiday in Brixham, there are plenty of choices in the area. Golf courses are located at Churston (1 mile) Torquay (8 miles) and over the River Dart at Dartmouth. Keen anglers can enjoy sea fishing from the Breakwater and the rocks at Shoalstone, or join a sea fishing trip, bookable on the harbour.
Walkers have the South West Coast Path, enjoying lovely coastal views in both directions out of Brixham, while there are the facilities to try watersports on nearby Paignton Harbour, and community facilities at Goodrington Leisure Centre in Paignton and The English Riviera Centre in Torquay where a log flume and wave machine are features of the swimming pool.
Travel
Rail links will take you to nearby Paignton, then a short bus journey will lead you to the town itself. Brixham has a reliable bus service throughout the town, with most activities a short, picturesque walk from the town centre. Paignton (4 miles) and Torquay (8 miles) are easily accessible by bus or car, while Paignton has a train station with national and regional services.