Local Information

The English Riviera, which covers the 3 towns of Torquay, Paignton and Brixham, is a resort in the truest sense of the word, attracting visitors of all ages and interests throughout the year, with an enormous variety concentrated into a relatively small area.

Torbay has three harbours, Brixham, Paignton & Torquay. Brixham offers a large Marina with full facilities, there is nearly always plenty of space for visiting yachts. The town offers a range of shops, pubs & small restaurants, Brixham is one of Britain's largest fishing ports.

 

Across the bay, almost due north from Brixham is Torquay, this has a (drying) inner, (deep-water) outer harbour and very large Marina with all facilities. Torquay offers everything for the visitor, all the main stores & shops are within a few hundred yards of the marina, many pubs clubs & restaurants are located in the town and around the harbour. There are also many pleasant walks around the gardens close by.

Paignton has a drying harbour and is NOT suitable for yacht CARMEN.

 

North 10 miles of Torbay is Teignmouth, a commercial port with no facilities for visiting yachts other than swing moorings. The entrance to the harbour is quite difficult due to a shallow sand bar that runs along way out to sea, do consult a pilot book before entering. Teignmouth offers a range of small shops pubs & restaurants, Shaldon on the opposite side of the estuary has a few shops and pubs.

Going south from Torbay is Dartmouth a real yachting centre for the south-west, deep water at all times and three good marinas or moor on the town quay. The historic town of Dartmouth is home to the Royal Naval College Britannia, the officer school for the navy where HRH Prince Philip, Charles & Andrew were trained. Dartmouth offers a host of attractions to make your stop over worth a couple of days. A trip up the river to Dittisham is possible but do check the tides, charts & pilot book before going.

 

Next stop south west is Salcombe, you will need to check tides and wind direction to enter over the bar. Once in the estuary the town of Salcombe offers a good range of small shops, pubs & restaurants. The town quay only allows you a 1 hour stay but there are plenty of visitor moorings and higher up is the 'Bag', a quiet pontoon in mid estuary, be aware the 'Bag' can be shallow on spring tides. Water-taxis run back & forth to the town.

 

 

Leaving Salcombe going west is the quiet river Yealm, a entrance that goes past a sand bar and rocks so please check your pilot book. Once in, mooring is on a quiet pontoon in mid river, you will need the dinghy on CARMEN to get ashore. A mile walk along the river will bring you to the village of Newton Ferrers, here you will find 3 pubs 3 shops, and showers can be obtained in the local sailing club.

Next stop has to be Plymouth, a big commercial and naval port but with 4 very good marinas. Sutton Harbour/Marina which is through the lock gates (24 hour opening) is the best site if you want to be close to the city centre. Plymouth has every facility and amenity as you would expect from a major city.

Leaving Devon and west into Cornwall is Fowey, a delightful small quiet town with a range shops pubs & restaurants. An easy deep-water entrance with a choice of either swing of pontoon moorings. Facilities are available at one of two yacht clubs Further west is Falmouth, the biggest harbour in Cornwall, Falmouth has moorings and a marina. It also has a good range of shops, pubs etc.

Yacht CARMEN is equipped with charts almanac and detailed pilot book to assist planning your trip. If you would like more detailed information on the local area feel free to contact the owner Stephen Latham, Tel; 07860-950851 when booking your charter or when you arrive.