This Trending Beach Town Is a More Affordable Alternative to the French Riviera

When people think of “Europe” and “Riviera,” that idyllic stretch of sand in France is usually what comes to mind. But there’s actually an English Riviera, and one of its under-sung gems is the small beach town of Torquay, England, home to international ports, sandy beaches, peaceful coves, and even a water park.

According to recent Hotels.com’s data, the English resort getaway is trending this summer—between 2024 and 2025, searches for Torquay increased by 150 percent. Even with an uptick of interest, this traditional beach town is more affordable and less crowded than the beaches on the bustling Spanish Coast and the beloved French Riviera. 

For those of you still thinking, “no one goes to England for its beaches,” that may be a fair assumption. But Torquay bucks against most travelers’ preconception of England in all of the important ways. Its southern geographic position gives it a unique microclimate, making it warmer than the rest of the country. The water is also fairly shallow, making it safe for beginner swimmers.

Rest assured that you won’t run into the same overtourism problems as other European beaches, and you won’t likely hear that many American accents. Right now, the town is primarily popular among English tourists looking for a domestic beach holiday. 

In addition to classics like paddle boarding, sailing, and kayaking, Torquay also has some more intense activities for the adventurers. Think things like “coasteering,” the act of climbing cliff faces as you explore deep sea caves and free swim in the waters of the English Channel. 

There are plenty of things to do out of the water, too. You can head to family-run Occombe Farm, and pet cute animals; attend plays, concerts, or theater performances; or take heritage tours of the region’s long history with a company such as English Riviera Walking Tour. The Torre Abbey, for example, is over 800 years old and has sea views, pairing up history and unmissable scenic vistas.

While Torquay might not have the culinary reputation of Barcelona or Cannes, France, there’s a burgeoning restaurant scene and an abundance of classic English staples like pubs, beer gardens, tea rooms, and farmers’ markets. 

For mystery lovers, you can’t miss the Agatha Christie Mile. The famous writer was born in Torquay and lived in the seaside town until she was 17 years old. The trail has numerous milestones marking places where important events in her life occurred. Her daughter, Rosalind Hicks, helped plan the trail, which covers 15 special spots relevant to Christie’s life. The biggest bonus? The tour is free and starts at the English Riviera Visitor Information Centre. 

In addition to the tour, there’s an annual International Agatha Christie Festival in September, which has tons of literary-inspired programming. If mysteries aren’t your thing, you can try for The Brixham Pirate Festival, held in the nearby town of Brixham, England. You’ll find true-to-history backdrops for some of history’s most famous pirates, as well as an abundance of regular people dressed up as their swashbuckling alters. Just make sure to pack your captain’s hat.