Brixham

Brixham is a fishing town in the Torbay area of English Riviera and South Devon of Devon.

Understand

Brixham
Climate chart (explanation)
J F M A M J J A S O N D       95     9 4       72     9 4       69     11 5       58     13 6       59     16 9       51     19 12       46     21 14       54     21 14       58     19 12       94     15 9       89     12 6       103     10 4 Average max. and min. temperatures in °C Precipitation+Snow totals in mm Source: Met Office. Visit the Met Office for a five-day forecast.
Imperial conversion J F M A M J J A S O N D       3.7     49 39       2.8     48 39       2.7     52 41       2.3     55 43       2.3     60 48       2     66 53       1.8     69 57       2.1     69 57       2.3     65 53       3.7     59 49       3.5     54 44       4.1     50 40 Average max. and min. temperatures in °F Precipitation+Snow totals in inches

The Golden Hind - Sir Francis Drake's ship

Get in

By car

Take the A380 from the M5 and Exeter into Torbay, which becomes the A3022 into the centre of Brixham. There is limited on street parking, but ample space in two large long-stay car parks.

By bus

Stagecoach 12 – Newton Abbot, Torquay, Paignton and Brixham.

By train

Brixham station was closed in 1963. The closest train stations are 1 Paignton station – 5.5 mi (8.9 km), 2 Torquay station – 8.4 mi (13.5 km) and 3 Totnes station – 9.5 mi (15.3 km).

Paignton and Torquay are on the Riviera Line serving Exeter, Starcross, Dawlish, Teignmouth, Newton Abbot, Torre, Torquay and Paignton. Additionally offering a connection to Manchester Piccadilly.

Totnes is on the line serving London Paddington to Penzance.

By ferry

The Western Lady Ferry runs up to every 30 minutes from Torquay in the summer and Paignton Pleasure Cruises run from Paignton Harbour during the summer.

See

• 1 Brixham Breakwater. A half-mile-long pier, from which one can walk all the way to the lighthouse or do a spot of fishing. (updated Dec 2017)
• 2 Brixham Heritage Museum, Bolton Cross, TQ5 8LZ, ☏ +44 1803 856267. Tu-Th 10AM-4PM; F 10AM-3:30PM; Sa 10AM-1PM; Su M closed. Museum showcasing the town's history from Napoleon and the Battle of Waterloo, to the Victorian era to both World Wars. There's also archaeological displays. Free. (updated Oct 2017)
• 3 Golden Hind Museum Ship, The Quay, TQ5 8AW, ☏ +44 1803 856223. A replica of Sir Francis Drake's own ship The Golden Hind that has been moored at the town since its creation in 1988. Adult £7, child/senior £5, family (2+2, 1+3) £18. (updated Oct 2017)
• 4 Colton Fishacre, Brownstone Rd, Kingswear, TQ6 0EQ, ☏ +44 1803 842382, coletonfishacre@nationaltrust.org.uk. A country retreat built for Rupert D'Oyly Carte and his wife, Lady Dorothy Carte, between 1923 and 1926. It was designed during the Arts and Crafts movement. The house and gardens are open to the public. (updated Oct 2017)
• 5 Greenway, Greenway Road, Galmpton, TQ5 0ES, ☏ +44 1803 842382, greenway@nationaltrust.org.uk. Greenway is one of many properties owned by world-renowned mystery writer Agatha Christie. The National Trust have painstakingly created an atmosphere that allows visitors to get a glimpse into what she would have done in the summer. (updated Oct 2016)

Do

Berry Head's lighthouse

• 1 Brixham RFC (Brixham Rugby Football Club or The Fisherman), Astley Park, Rea Barn Rd, TQ5 9ED, ☏ +44 1803 882162. (updated Dec 2017)
• 2 Brixham Theatre (Brixham Arts and Theatre Society), New Rd, TQ5 8TA, ☏ +44 1803 882717. The town's theatre. (updated Mar 2020)
• 3 Pirate Days, TQ5 8AJ. There are regular pirate days, and a pirate festival (in May) in the town. (updated Oct 2017)
• 4 Shoalstone Pool, Berry Head Rd, TQ5 9FT. 10AM-6PM. A lido with a 53-metre square sea water swimming pool. Open from May to September. Free. (updated Oct 2017)
• 5 South West Coast Path, ☏ +44 1752 896237, hello@southwestcoastpath.org.uk. The longest national trail in England passes through the centre of Brixham. (updated Oct 2017)
• 6 Berry Head. Conservation area and nature reserve with spectacular views and plenty of sights to see. (updated Oct 2017)
  • 7 Visitor Centre. Former artillery storage building used to stockpile shells for the French invasion. Now a visitor centre with plaques detailing the area. (updated Oct 2017)
  • 8 Lighthouse. Berry Head Lighthouse is an active dome lighthouse. Only 5 m in height, making it one of the shortest in the world. (updated Oct 2017)

Buy

Brixham is known throughout the UK for its fishing. The town has several fish markets that can also be toured provided you arrive early enough.

Eat

Brixham is renowned for its seafood.

Budget

• 1 The Guardhouse Cafe, Berry Head, TQ5 9AW, ☏ +44 1803 855778. Part of Berry Head. A former Napoleonic guard house. (updated Oct 2017)

Mid-range

• 2 Breakwater Bistro, Berry Head Rd, TQ5 9AF, ☏ +44 1803 856738. M-F 10AM-4PM, Sa 9AM-9PM, Su 9AM-4PM. Has a good view of seafront and a good evening menu selection on Saturdays. Booking is recommended, even in the winter. (updated Dec 2017)
• 3 Rockfish, New Fish Quay, TQ5 8AJ, ☏ +44 1803 850872. noon-9:30PM. (updated Dec 2017)

Drink

The Blue Anchor

• 1 The Blue Anchor, 83 Fore St, TQ5 8AH, ☏ +44 1803 859373. Live music and local ales. (updated Dec 2017)
• 2 The Vigilance, 5 Bolton St, TQ5 9DE, ☏ +44 1803 850489. Wetherspoons pub. (updated Oct 2017)

Sleep

• 1 Manor Inn, 2 Stoke Gabriel Rd, Galmpton, TQ5 0NL, ☏ +44 1803 661101. From £49 (includes breakfast). (updated Oct 2017)
• 2 Churston Manor Hotel (Churston Court Inn), Church Rd, Churston Ferrers, TQ5 0JE. From £60 (includes breakfast). (updated Oct 2017)
• 3 Berry Head Hotel, Berry Head Rd, TQ5 9AJ, ☏ +44 1803 853225. 3-star hotel overlooking Berry Head, it was former Napoleonic military hospital. From £99 (includes breakfast). (updated Dec 2017)

Connect

Brixham and its approach roads have 4G from all UK carriers. As of Sep 2023, 5G has reached Paignton but has not yet extended to Brixham.

Go next

• Dartmouth
• Torquay
• Paignton
• Totnes