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All you need to know
With its bustling harbour, stunning coastline and English Riviera micro-climate, a holiday cottage in Brixham is the perfect place for a seaside escape.
Home to one of the largest fishing fleets in the country, life in the historic harbour town of Brixham revolves around the sea. Pretty, pastel coloured fishermen’s cottages line narrow streets that lead down to a busy working harbour, where hundreds of fishing boats head out to sea, bringing back their daily catch to Brixham’s famous fish market.
It’s no surprise that fresh fish and seafood fill the menus of the restaurants dotted around the harbour. Tuck into a delicious plate of fresh seafood after watching it arrive on the day boats at Rockfish Seafood Restaurant. Owned by celebrity chef Mitch Tonks, this popular seafood restaurant is set right in the heart of the fish market with a large terrace overlooking the harbour, as well as a takeaway, so you can grab some fish ‘n’ chips and eat them on the quayside.
Kids and adults alike fall in love with Brixham’s maritime history. Climb aboard the Golden Hind Museum Ship, a magnificent replica of Sir Francis Drake’s flagship docked in the harbour, and experience the sights, sounds and smells of life onboard the Tudor ship. Take part in Brixham’s annual swashbuckling Pirate Festival, and learn about the people and events that shaped the town’s history at the Brixham Heritage Museum.
With the South West Coast Path running through the town, Brixham is a great place for walkers and dog-friendly holidays. A holiday in Brixham isn’t complete without following the coast path to Berry Head Nature Reserve, a stunning headland famed for its geological significance, Napoleonic War fortifications, diverse wildlife and popular Guardhouse Café.
If you’re looking for a day on the beach, the coast path will lead you to lots of idyllic coves with crystal clear water perfect for swimming. Breakwater Beach, right in the centre of town, is a popular choice for families, thanks to its Blue Flag award, easy access, toilet facilities and beachside café. Or why not take the plunge in Shoalstone Outdoor Pool, an art deco seawater lido set in a stunning position on the seafront.
Brixham is a brilliant base for exploring the English Riviera. Climb aboard the Dartmouth Steam Railway and head to Paignton or set sail on one of the many boat trips to Torquay. Make sure to keep an eye out for wildlife on the way as you might be lucky enough to spot seals and dolphins!
If you haven’t found your sea legs, there’s plenty to keep you occupied on dry land. If you’re an art lover, head to the Strand Art Gallery where you can watch the local artists as they work. For Agatha Christie fans, a trip to Greenway is essential. This magnificent National Trust property, her former holiday home, was the inspiration for many of her crime thrillers and offers a glimpse through the eyes of her spectacular mind.
A holiday cottage in Brixham offers an ideal base for couples and families to enjoy a relaxed seaside holiday with a fantastic selection of things to do and places to eat on your doorstep.
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Well worth a visit, this acclaimed farm shop, restaurant and garden centre in a quiet corner of Torbay aims to source as many products locally as possible. What's more they prepare personalised hampers and food boxes of delicious local meat, vegetables and groceries delivered direct to your holiday cottage.
Click here for further details
Excellent range of foods
November 2022
Non of the attractions shown are anywhere near Lyme Regis!
October 2022
A lovely place for a light lunch
September 2022
We were in east Devon we were Colyford
September 2022
Overpriced food not worth a visit
August 2022
Quite a highlight- well stocked also independent stools and traders. Wholesome, tempting food to buy, also cafe’ and small brewery . Lovely people too.
June 2022
A great all-weather activity for the whole family, discover the stories of the people and events that shaped Brixham’s history. This free museum is packed full of exhibits relating to Brixham’s fishing industry, maritime models, and archaeological finds from the Napoleonic for at Berry Head. Kids will love the reconstructed Victorian parlour and nursery, and model railway station. From March 2018, the museum will be open from 10am – 4pm Tuesday to Friday, and 10am – 1pm on Saturdays.
Click here for further information
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Climb aboad the magnificent replica of Sir Francis Drake’s flagship, the Golden Hind, the first ship to circumnavigate the globe. Docked in Brixham Harbour, kids will love exploring the five decks filled with hands-on exhibits, displays and things to do. The full size replica is open from spring to autumn, come rain or shine. Experience the sights, sounds and smells of life aboad the tudor ship, with its replica cabins, weapons, canons and treasures.
This is one of only two full size replicas of the Golden Hind. Well worth a visit for the fascinating history. Plenty to see and read about and also has bad 'dad jokes', a challenge to see how many little skeletons you can find and a 'how to find yee pirate name' to keep younger ones amused.
August 2023
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Great way to travel to Greenway from Dartmouth. Lovely time had by all! Thanks.
April 2022
The only way to approach Agatha Christie's house!
May 2018
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The House and Gardens and their location are outstanding. And the journey by ferry from Dartmouth just adds to the overall experience.
October 2023
Wonderful day out. Went by ferry from Dartmouth, worth doing this rather than driving and having to book a parking space. Quite a trek from the house down to the boathouse, but worth it - a very knowledge guide. In fact, knowledgeable guides in the main house too. We wanted to stay and have lunch but it was very busy, all tables full and on the day we went, the card machine was playing up, resulting in a 40 minutes queue to order food. Hence we took the ferry back to Dartmouth and had a late lunch there. Still worth visiting.
September 2023
Loved this house. Would loved to have been a house guest 'back in the day'.
August 2023
Well worth a visit and then walking to Dartmouth - was a great day out
May 2023
I super property to visit. Travelled by passenger ferry from Dittisham. Lovely walks around the garden as well as a very interesting house.
September 2022
Agatha Christie's holiday home. Easy to access on the boat. Excellent place to visit and very interesting. Nice walk around the property to the boat house.
August 2022
A really interesting place to visit, beautiful gardens. Thoroughly recommend visiting via boat along the river Dart.
August 2022
Would recommend a visit if you’re a big fan of Agatha Christie. Loved walking through the house and listening to the old fashioned music, was waiting for Miss Marple or Poirot to walk in. Recommend booking car space before going. It’s a long walk to entrance so need to think about mobility issues. But we were able to drop passengers off and go back to space. Lovely day out
June 2022
Wonderful NT property. So lovely to be able to touch items too! Beautiful grounds. Great trip on the boat from Dartmouth.
April 2022
very interesting house and garden. I felt the experience would have been improved with more information boards around the property. I recommend reading a book about the house and Agatha Christie/her family before you visit. Loved getting there on the ferry from Dittisham.
October 2021
lovely house and gardens down to the boat house, nice touch are the deck chairs on the lawn, lovely patio area for refreshments, approached on foot from Kingswear its a lovely walk through Longwood
September 2021
One of our most enjoyable days in South Devon: do take the ferry from Dartmouth, it's a lovely trip . The gardens are wonderful and the house enjoyable but sadly little information about the history of the house is given and there is no detail about the rooms one can visit.
September 2021
A lovely place to visit, enjoyed the house history and the fabulous gardens overlooking the water. Nice addition to access over the water from Dittisham but note that the water taxi stops before the house closes.
July 2021
Visited greenway house via the ferry , a very pleasurable day out
June 2021
Stunning house and fabulous gardens. The most beautiful views to the Dart. We caught the ferry from Dittisham which was amazingly convenient and a lovely way to arrive.
May 2021
Enjoyed arriving by boat and walking round the grounds, and then back on the Dart trail to Kingswear. Excellent coffee, and NT shop staff were very helpful. Didn't find the house as interesting as we imagined.
September 2020
A lovely place giving a real feel of the life of its previous owner. One of my favourite NT places. Can be reached by ferry or train. Makes a peaceful and relaxed day out in any weather.
August 2019
Lovely boat trip to this property, fairly steep climb up but there is a car available to drive you up there should you need it. Cafe very slow to serve and the queues were outside the restaurant .....so go in good weather Property and gardens a little disappointing.
June 2019
What an amazing place, easy to get to from Dittisham. The nicest National Trust place we have visited! Pop down to the boat house to meet the bank voles!
August 2018
One of the best NT houses we have visited. Absence of roped of areas in the rooms made it possible to immerse oneself in Agatha Christie's world
May 2018
Excellent and dogs welcomed into the garden as well. Beautiful house and gardens and location stunning. Enjoyed by all ages.
April 2017
Well worth a visit, this acclaimed farm shop, restaurant and garden centre in a quiet corner of Torbay aims to source as many products locally as possible. What's more they prepare personalised hampers and food boxes of delicious local meat, vegetables and groceries delivered direct to your holiday cottage.
Click here for further details
A friendly pub serving an extensive menu of fresh, good value food, as well as an ever-changing specials board. The Trawler Inn has a large free carpark, and the Number 17 bus from Brixham town stops right outside the pub. There’s also lots of outdoor seating for an alfresco drink in the summer sunshine.
The Trawler, 66 North Boundary Road, Brixham, TQ5 8LA (T: 01803 854062)
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As one of the oldest pubs in Devon, The Manor is a hidden Brixham gem. The pub is set back from the hustle and bustle of the harbour, on beautiful Higher Street and offers inside and outside seating, great music, friendly bar staff and an extensive drinks list. The Manor is a popular hub for seasonal events & live music nights.
The Manor 28 Higher Street, Brixham, Devon TQ5 8HW (T:07462 86167)
We spent several evenings at The Manor. Wonderful and friendly service plus a nice outside seating area. My wife recommends the local Deckchair Gin. Hope to visit again next year.
July 2023
A friendly, traditional pub in the peaceful backstreets of Brixham, passionate about serving a great range of high quality real ale. As well as an ever change selection of great beers, The Queen’s Arms hosts live music every Saturday evening, and great value, tasty Sunday lunches.
The Queen’s Arms, 31 Station Hill, Brixham TQ5 8BN (T: 01803 852074)
Located on a pretty side street just off Brixham’s harbour, The Cow Shed bar and restaurant specialises in exotic steaks, burgers and venison. The extensive menu consists of fresh, locally sourced ingredients wherever possible, with lots of choices for vegetarians, as well as a gluten free menu. Open Tuesday – Sunday from 6 – 9pm.
The Cow Shed, 1-4 Beach Approach, Pump Street, Brixham TQ5 8JL (T: 01803 859679)
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Far from the bustling crowds of Paignton and Brixham’s bigger beaches, this small pebbly cove is a truly relaxing spot. The calm waters are great for swimming and are said to have been one of Agatha Christie’s favourite bathing spots. Elberry Cove even features in one of her crime thriller novels, The ABC Murders. This picture-perfect cove, surrounded by sloping wooded hillsides and crystal clear water, can only be accessed by the coast path, with the nearest carpark at Broadsands Beach. From here, it is only a 10 - 15 minute walk, but make sure to pack a picnic or grab a bite to eat at Broadsands Beach before you set off, as there aren’t any facilities at here. Dogs are welcome on the beach throughout the year.
Lovely quieter beach, dog and BBQ friendly. We had teens that hired kayaks from nearby Broadsands beach and paddled around the coast to meet us. Very accomodating kayak hire and not too expensive.
August 2018
If you’re willing to venture off the beaten track, you’ll discover one of Brixham’s hidden gems, Churston Cove. Surrounded by sloping wooded hillsides, this beautiful little cove isn’t the easiest to get to, which makes it an idyllic, peaceful place to while away the day. The crystal clear water is safe for kids to paddle and play in, and is a popular swimming spot. Parking is available at Freshwater carpark, a 15-minute walk away. There are no toilet facilities or cafes, and the beach is accessed via a long, steep path, which is uneven in places, but this beautiful little cove is worth the effort. Churston Cove is dog-friendly all year round.
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Take the coast path from Brixham and escape the crowds at Fishcombe Cove, a peaceful shingle cove, protected on all sides by tall red cliffs. Access to this little cove isn’t easy, via a steep path from Freshwater carpark, but it is definitely worth the effort. The clear, blue sea is sheltered and calm, making it a favourite with swimmers and kayakers. Fishcombe Cove is also a popular place for boats and yachts to moor up and make the most of the beautiful water. If you’re lucky, you might even catch a seal popping its head up to say hello. There is a café and toilets here, but both are only open during the summer months. Fishcombe Cove is dog-friendly all year round.
A lovely little cove perfect to have a dip in the ocean. Be warned though that there is a steep downward hill to get to it and it is a rocky beach so there is plenty of slippery seaweed around. It is nice and sheltered and wasn't too busy either so a great place to get your feet wet or to go for a swim. Would recommend :-)
August 2023
In between Brixham and Paignton, this long, sandy beach is a popular spot with families, thanks to its sheltered waters, year-round facilities and easy parking. The Blue Flag beach is perfect for making sandcastles and searching for wildlife in the rockpools. There are toilets, and two places to get ice creams, coffees and soft drinks. What’s more, the car park is right by the beach, so there’s no need to lug your provisions a long way. Behind the pretty row of colourful beach huts, there’s a large grassy area, so don’t forget to pack a ball or rounders bat to keep the whole family entertained. Broadsands Beach is a popular dog walking spot throughout autumn and winter, but there is a seasonal dog ban during the summer months (1st May - 30th September).
The decent to St Mary’s Bay is one of the best views in Brixham, with panoramic views of the English Riviera. This beautiful, unspoilt beach has a carpark nearby, but we recommend walking there to make the most of the stunning surroundings. The sandy and shingle beach is sheltered by steep cliffs on either side, which means the decent to the beach isn’t easy, especially for those with mobility disabilities. There are no facilities at the beach, but visitors can take the coast path north to Berry Head Nature Reserve, where there is a great café and toilets, as well as stunning coastal views. Dogs are welcome all year, making St Mary’s Bay a great place to take a well-earned rest on your dog walk.