English Courses in Torquay
Overview
You can’t get much more of a “traditional British seaside” resort than the vibrant and cheerful town of Torquay. Set at the very heart of the English Riviera on the South Devon Coast, Torquay is famous for its sandy beaches, family attractions and genteel Victorian appearance. Made famous by the legendary comedy series Fawlty Towers, Torbay is distinctly Mediterranean and is a family favorite with plenty of attractions and things to do.
Torquay was a relatively minor settlement until the mid-Nineteenth Century when the railway linked it to the rest of the UK. The improved transport connections saw Torquay expand rapidly to cater for the area’s popularity with the Victorian’s desire to explore everything and everywhere, including the furthest flung corners of Britain. After the First World War, the Great Western Railway Company extensively promoted Torquay, helping the town to become a very popular UK holiday resort.
Why Study English in Torquay?
- Torquay is the most popular resort on the English Riviera, famous for its beaches, palm trees and warm climate.
It was voted England’s Number One seaside resort by Trip Advisor in 2015. It has over 3 million visitors each year and more attractions than any other UK resort. - Torquay and the surrounding region contains some of the best quality English language schools in England.
- Torquay is small enough to be intimate and to allow international students to move around on foot, but large enough for there to be many things for visitors to do, especially in the summertime.
- Torquay is approximately 3 hours from London by train and only 1 hour from the famous university city of Exeter.
- Torquay does not have a high saturation of English language schools, and as a result can offer very high quality host families to international students.
- The town offers students ample opportunity to practice their English. In Torquay, local people have time to stop and chat.
- For boat lovers, Torquay is an International Yachting Destination. Each year Torquay hosts several international sailing events and races, including the famous Solitaire du Figaro, which stops in the harbour in July for several days.
Language Schools and Camps in this Destination
Images of Torquay, United Kingdom
Things to Do and See During a Vacation Study
Activities
Eat at a restaurant, including one of its Michelin star restaurants. Torquay is a stylish resort with a real continental atmosphere. Torquay restaurants bring out the West Country flavor in a diverse range of cuisine from award-winning fish and chips to internationally inspired gastronomy.
Travel to Brixham from Torquay by ferry or bus. Berry Head is clearly signposted and about 30 minutes’ walk from Brixham Harbour.
Take the coast path from Torquay Harbour to Babbacombe Downs: Torquay has some beautiful coastline and beaches, all of which are linked by the South West Coast Path (approximately 6 km).
Take a Steam Train to Greenway House, the home of the world famous and much-loved author Agatha Christie. Agatha Christie was born and lived much of her life in Torquay, and the house is now a museum to her life. Torquay also holds the Agatha Christie Festival in September.
Visit Dartmoor National Park, which is 40 minutes by car from Torquay. It is a beautiful, rugged, rural area shared by farmers, tourists, riders, walkers, cattle, sheep and wild ponies.
Visit Torre Abbey, which was founded in 1196 as a Medieval monastery, but is now museum with gardens, Palm House and café.
Visit Kent’s Cavern, one of Europe’s most important ancient sites with a fascinating system of prehistoric caves.
Go to the Princess Theatre, the largest of the theatres within Torbay, which hosts a wide range of productions from musicals and theatre to opera and ballet.
Visit Living Coasts, a marine aviary showing coastal and marine habitats with many seabirds, penguins and seals.
Visit Cockington Country Park, a lovely old village of thatched cottages with a pub, tea-rooms, shops, gardens, lakes, church and horse-drawn carriages within the village. Enjoy a cream tea!
Gyms and Sports Clubs
There are several local gyms with and without swimming facilities. Torquay has very active local clubs for running, sailing, golf, tennis and football, all of which welcome international students on a regular basis.
Shopping
The main shopping street in Torquay (Union Street) runs from the Town Hall down to the harbour. Shops are usually open Monday to Saturday 9:00 to 17:30, Sunday 10:00 to 16:00.
How to Arrive at your Language Course
BY RAIL OR BUS
Torquay is easily reached from London by train or coach bus, but as the journey takes 3-4 hours, students should plan their flight times so that they don’t arrive too late at their accommodation, particularly if it’s with a host family. Of the London airports, only Heathrow is somewhat convenient to Torquay as the travel time to the others is much longer. The airports at Bristol (140 km) and Exeter (40 km) are closer to Torquay than London. The company Flybe has flights to Exeter from 10 European destinations. It is 1 hour by train from Torquay. All information on travelling by train, to and from Torquay is available here.
BY AIR
From Rome, Easyjet has a flight to Bristol that arrives at a convenient time on Saturdays and Sundays. Flybe, Ryanair and BMI also fly to Bristol. Students can take public transport to Torquay from Bristol (2 hours by train), or during the summer, the school organizes a shuttle on Sundays for about £30 per person. A taxi from Bristol airport will cost about £90.