Devon, Luxury Devon Hotels in Torquay, Torbay, English Riviera, Richardson Hotels

Glorious Devon is a destination offering cathedral and maritime cities, castles and prehistoric stone circles combining royal connections, famous authors and sea-faring adventures. There is walking or cycling galore through rolling, lush countryside dotted with lots of villages, hamlets and chocolate box cottages. Then there's the magnificence of England's first World Heritage site - the Jurassic Coast, with 95 miles of coastline to roam and 185 million years of geological history to think about! The rugged beauty of Dartmoor begs exploration and if you don't feel up to driving then let the train take the strain! There are branch line trips available along some of Devon's most scenic routes one of which offers a real ale stop!

Whilst Devon has coast on 2 sides, the north being home to popular resorts such as Minehead, Clovelly and Ilfracombe our focus is on the golden English Riviera and its maritime towns of Paignton, Brixham and Torquay, home to The Grand hotel.

Twenty two miles of Riviera coastline offer some of the best beaches in the county and Torbay is home to top attractions such as Paignton Zoo and The Living Coasts, Kent's Caverns, Cockington Old Village and Country Park, the Agatha Christie Mile and the replica of Sir Francis Drake's ship, The Golden Hind. Nearby is Dartmouth with its unique naval college and history. In fact, this coast is littered with charming seaside towns and villages like Salcombe, Beer and Sidmouth - all of which are easily accessible by car for a day out. Torquay itself has quite a continental feel around the harbour area, with plenty of places to sit, enjoy a drink or a bite to eat and watch the activity in the marina. My.Grandlady, our luxury yacht for charter, is berthed in the marina.

For shopaholics, if Torquay's selection of high street names and boutiques isn't enough then the excitement of the cathedral city of Exeter is just down the road. Not much further afield is Plymouth. In fact not only does Plymouth offer great shopping in its newly developed city centre complex, its Aquarium is well worth a visit as is Plymouth Hoe and the harbour area, with historic sites such as the spot from where the Pilgrims set off to America on the Mayflower in search of a new life.

With its rolling green hills and fertile valleys, Devon is a bit of a paradise for "foodies". Aside from a reputation for yummy clotted cream and toffee, the county has some fabulous restaurants and gastropubs, some of which are very tucked away but easily found by foodophiles!

Notable people over the years who found the charms of Devon to be irresistible or hail from Devon are Sir Francis Chichester, Sir Walter Raleigh, Sir Francis Drake, poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Agatha Christie, comedians Tommy Cooper and Peter Cook, Sue Barker and Coldplay's Chris Martin. Writers, sailors, poets, musicians and the like have all found inspiration in Devon - it's that kind of place.

South Devon Coastal Path, Luxury Hotels in Torquay, Torbay, English Riviera - Richardson Hotels HayTor, Dartmoor, Luxury Hotels in Torquay, Torbay, English Riviera - Richardson Hotels Babbacombe Model Village, Luxury Hotels in Torquay, Torbay, English Riviera - Richardson Hotels Devon Cream Tea, Luxury Hotels in Torquay, Torbay, English Riviera - Richardson Hotels