Holiday rentals in Brixham

Getting to Brixham

The best way for overseas visitors with a Brixham holiday home to get to Torbay is probably to land at Exeter International Airport. That might mean you have to take a second flight from another UK airport that operates flights to Exeter. Thereafter, visitors can take a train to Paignton; and from there take a trip on the steam railway to Churston. If you are looking for speed, you can always catch a taxi to Paignton from Churston.

The climate in Brixham

Brixham has a fair amount of rain, which is not unusual for the UK. Pouring rain is not ideal weather for exploring Devon's coastal landscapes. As such, it might be better for visitors to book their Brixham holiday lettings for the summer when there is less precipitation. June and July have the lowest average rainfall in Brixham and the most sunshine. So they might be the best months to make your trip.

The best sites in Brixham

Visitors hiring a Brixham holiday letting should take a trip Berry Head. Berry Head is a nature reserve and expansive coastal landscape on the edge of Torbay. The coastal headland has rare plant species and sea bird breeds among which are Alpine swifts. The nature reserve also includes the Berry Head Lighthouse. As the headland rises about 200 metres, it provides great coastal views of Torbay.

The Golden Hind is a big part of Brixham's harbour. This is not exactly a museum, but a replica of Sir Francis Drake's iconic ship. Visitors can climb aboard the ship and explore its five decks that provide a fascinating insight into the history of maritime exploration.

Shoalstone Beach is one beach in Brixham that includes an outdoor pool. That is a seawater swimming pool for visitors which remains an Art Deco icon of southern Devon.

Art and culture in Brixham

Brixham's harbour inspires maritime artists, and the Strand Art Gallery is one of the best galleries in Torbay for those with a Brixham holiday letting to visit. The gallery showcases a collection of maritime and landscape art. Brixham Theatre is perhaps the foremost theatre venue you can visit that stages a variety of musical shows.

Brixham also has some interesting museums. The Brixham Heritage Museum is one that documents the history of Brixham and its fishing port, and also houses a collection of artefacts excavated from the Napoleonic fortress at Berry Head. Alternatively, visit the Battery Gardens and Brixham Battery Museum which feature one of the few preserved 1940s coastal batteries in Britain. The museum displays World War II artefacts, and the Battery Gardens also give you a terrific panoramic view of the surrounding region.

Excursion destinations from Torbay

Booking a Brixham holiday letting is an ideal recommendation if planning excursions to Paignton and Torquay in Torbay. Take a trip to these locations from your Brixham holiday home via the Brixham Ferry Express catamaran, which operates for much of the year. Take a 15 minute boat ride from Brixham to visit some of Torquay's numerous sandy beaches such as Torre Abbey Sands and Meadfoot Beach. There you can also visit Living Coasts, a coastal zoo and aquarium with plenty of penguins, and the Babbacome Model Village that has colourful landscaped gardens and a 4D cinema where you can watch 3D films.

You can also take a boat trip to Paignton that features an expansive sandy beaches. Paignton Sands is the main beach that includes Paignton Pier, which has an arcade, cafés and dodgems. At the Goodrington Sands beach, you can visit the Splashdown Quaywest water park, which is one of the largest in the UK and features a variety of water chutes, perfect for families.

The Dartmouth Steam Railway, a preserved heritage steam line, also stops in Paignton. A trip to Kingswear, in Dartmouth, via the steam line is also a notable excursion. Then you can visit Dartmouth Castle at the tip of the River Dart Estuary.

History and wildlife in Brixham

Brixham Harbour

Boasting one of England's largest fishing fleets, Brixham Harbour is a classic English fishing port. Watch the colourful trawlers pull in from the viewing platform.

Berry Head National Nature Reserve

This internationally-renowned heritage site is one of the gateways to the English Riviera Global Geopark. Explore a restored Napoleonic War fortification, and dine in the Guardhouse Café.

Brixham Heritage Museum

Housed in the old Brixham police station, this museum features maritime models, a reconstructed Victorian parlour and many more exhibits tracing Brixham's history.

The Wildlife & Forts of Berry Head Trail

Prepare for outstanding natural beauty and random sightings of cormorants, badgers, Perigrine falcons and seals. Sweeping views across the bay to Paignton and Torquay are a bonus.

Breakwater Beach

One of the English Riviera's cleanest beaches, Breakwater is great for learning scuba-diving at one of the schools. Anglers can take home mackeral, bass and mullet, whilst a beach café serves hearty meals in a romantic setting.