Occupying the southern tip of the English Riviera, Brixham is a working fishing port full of charm and steeped in history, and now Englands' biggest port with £44 million pounds worth of fish landed last year.
Brixham itself has much to offer and is also the ideal location to explore this beautiful part of the country. You can stay in the local area and enjoy the bustling harbour front with its diverse range of cafes, shops and bars. Alternatively, you can be in such destinations as Exeter, Plymouth, Dartmoor and Salcombe within an hour or so. Dartmouth, home of the world-famous Dartmouth Royal Regatta can be reached by short ferry rides.
During the calendar year, Brixham and the surrounding area host a plethora of amazing events and festivals celebrating both its heritage and its community spirit. The annual “Pirates Festival” kicks off proceedings during the first bank holiday in May with the amazing “Lanterns & Illuminations” signing off the year in late November. In between we have Brixfest, Torbay Lifeboat Week, Fishstock, and the annual Trawler Race to name but a few with a huge number of additional events taking place around the bay including the flagship Torbay AirShow normally early June… there is literally something for everyone!
Within Brixham itself a wide range of eating and drinking establishments should satisfy the most demanding of palettes and pockets wether it be locally caught fresh fish, local meats, tapas, local ale or even a cocktail with most establishments enjoying views of the harbour , marina or beyond.
There are many opportunities to explore Brixhams rich heritage. Jump aboard the iconic Golden Hind, pay a visit to the engaging Brixham Museum, walk around some of the best-preserved gun batteries from the Second World War in Battery Gardens or peer through one of the battlements in one of the Napoleonic fortresses at Berry Head. Last but definitely not least join the crew of one of the Brixham heritage fleet (an original wooden beam trawler) and experience the life of a trawlerman over a century ago.
For walkers yet again the choice is varied to say the very least, from a leisurely stroll around the harbour to the “measured mile” down the breakwater are just for starters. Brixham sits proudly on the South West Coastal Path (SWCP) and all year round walkers enjoy the attributes of the area. The Kingswear to Brixham stretch (10.5miles) is reckoned to be one of the more challenging stages but to finish on Berry Head (a UNESCO Global GEO Park) with a much needed “afternoon tea” at the Guardhouse Café will focus all levels of walkers. Dartmoor with its breathtaking beauty and wild landscapes is 50 minutes away.
This is just a snapshot of what can be experienced in Brixham and the surrounding area, with Fleur de Sel being your ideal base.