THE PLANNER

GETTING THERE

Trains from London Paddington to Torquay take around three hours. The area is well served by the Dartmouth Steam Railway and River Boat Company and by an efficient local bus network. www.thetrainline.com; www.dartmouthrailriver.co.uk

WHERE TO STAY

The Cary Arms Hotel and Spa is the last word in luxury accommodation on the Riviera, situated under Babbacombe Downs and near a shingle bay with its own resident seal. Its charming inn serves exemplary seafood caught a stone’s throw from the hotel, sometimes to the accompaniment of a live pianist. Rooms are decorated in fresh, contemporary style, while the spa offers all the modern treatments you could wish for. In Torquay, the Grand Hotel is a much-loved favourite right next to the town’s railway station. Its seafront bar and lounge offers spectacular views of the bay through floor-to-ceiling windows, while the outdoor pool is a perfect place for a splash in the summer months. www.caryarms.co.uk; www. richardsonhotels.co.uk

WHERE TO EAT AND DRINK

As well as the Cary Arms restaurant, the area offers several seriously good restaurants, often – unsurprisingly – with an emphasis on local seafood. In Brixham, Rockfish is a local favourite, offering spectacular harbourside views and the freshest catch. Serious foodies will want to check out The Elephant overlooking Torquay harbour, recipient of the town’s first Michelin star, which excels in imaginative dishes such as monkfish grilled over embers. Those looking for the perfect platter of old-fashioned fish, chips and mushy peas should head to the hugely popular Hanbury’s in Babbacombe. www.therockfish.co.uk; www.elephantrestaurant.co.uk; www.hanburys.net