Torquay seems to be glossed over or missed entirely by some of the guide books. Is it a bad place to stay? Does anyone have any hotel or bed & breakfast recommendations? <BR>

Isn't that the place where Fawlty Towers was located?

Yup. <BR>

Actually it's a very nice place. I went once or a conference and it wins head and shoulders over places like Brighton, tho' it has a little less history. <BR>It has a "grand" hotel, which from memory is called the Majestic and we hd an excellent meal the last night in a fish restauarnt at the east end of the town. <BR> <BR>My friend Adrian is MP. I'll e-mail him your query for responses

Thanks Sheila, I'd appreciate that. I am curious about a couple of places: Haldon Priors Hotel and Blue Haze Hotel. I have brochures from both but wonder what they're like in real life. I will look into the Majestic too. <BR>

I have just returned to Canada from two weeks in England, one week of which was spent in Torquay. Torquay is on Torbay, on what the English call the English Riviera (a somewhat pale imitation of the real French and Italian Rivieras but they have palm trees and mild climate, so perhaps it isn't that much of a stretch). I stayed at a private residence in Torquay overlooking the bay so I cannot comment on the quality of the B & Bs there, except to say there are millions of them, both there and in the community down the road I actually preferred to Torquay, Paignton. Although it is high season there were plenty of B & Bs with vacancy signs outside, and my recommendation is that someone wishing to go to Torquay should NOT book a B & B till they get there and check out the ones on location. There is myriad variety of B & Bs with prices ranging from 10 pounds a night to 20 pounds a night. Some also have what is called half board -- breakfast and dinner available for an extra charge. Personally, if I were to pick a B & B I would go down beach three miles to Paignton where many of the B & Bs are waterfront or near waterfront. Paignton has a glorious half mile long sandy beach the likes of which I have never before enjoyed in England. The beach in Torquay is, by comparison, small and ugly, being as it is crowded out by a rather huge marina which takes precedence over that part of the harbour. Evening entertainment is to be had for all ages in both communities, making Torquay and Paignton and the English Riviera a perfect site for a holiday!. If you need more, shout! <BR> <BR>Lanny Morry <BR>

Hello fellow Canadian. Now you have me thinking. One reason for going to Torquay is to visit Paignton so maybe we should stay there. I'm looking for a place to stay 5-7 days, preferably with nice grounds and views where my husband might sit and paint. Would you happen to know how a person, arriving by train, would get to Torquay or Paignton - is there a bus? <BR>

PS. <BR>I'm really glad to hear what you said about all the vacancies even in high season, Lanny, because I'm leery of booking a place for a whole week only to find out we don't like it! <BR>

Try Tides Reach just outside. Moderate prices and comfortable.

April, <BR> <BR>You can either take the branch line train from Newton Abbott or the bus from Exeter. Dartmouth is worth a visit if you get a chance.

OK, I will check out the Tides Reach AND Dartmouth. <BR> <BR>And here I thought no one would answer! Thank you. <BR>

The member of parliament for Torquay who clearly thinks that this is a job for the local tourist board ( or realises that americans don't have votes- well, shut my mouth!)doen't know either of the places which you mentioned but does say <BR> <BR>" Expensive range-The Grand Hotel, Torquay. Medium range - The Redcliffe <BR>Hotel, Paignton. " Incidentally the Grand (not the Majestic, sorry) is at the station. <BR> <BR>Have a good trip