England’s seafood coast, harbour heart, hidden gem — a genuine working fishing port with extraordinary natural beauty on its doorstep.
Brixham is the real thing. While neighbouring towns on the English Riviera attract summer holidaymakers, Brixham remains fundamentally itself — a working fishing harbour that has been at the centre of Devon’s maritime life for centuries, where the catch of the day is still landed every morning at one of the busiest fish markets in England and the harbour is always full of noise and colour.
But Brixham is far more than its fishing heritage. The town has quietly become one of Devon’s most interesting places to visit, with exceptional seafood restaurants, a vibrant street art scene, extraordinary coastal walking on Berry Head and a warmth of welcome that the bigger resorts can rarely match.
And remember — if you’d like us to arrange anything during your stay, from restaurant bookings and boat trips to guided walks and local experiences, just ask. We’re here to make every detail feel effortless.
Getting Your Bearings
Brixham sits at the southern tip of Torbay, separated from Paignton and Torquay to the north by the sweep of the bay. The harbour is the heart of everything — the inner harbour, fish market and marina all clustered together at the base of narrow streets that climb steeply into the town.
The seasonal Western Lady Ferry is the most atmospheric way to arrive, crossing from Torquay or Paignton harbour across the sparkling bay in around 30 minutes. By road, Brixham is about 6 miles south of Torquay, well signed from the A380.
💡 Local Tip: Take the ferry from Torquay rather than driving in summer. You arrive right at the harbour, the views of the bay are spectacular and you avoid the town centre parking entirely.
The Harbour & Waterfront
Everything in Brixham flows from the harbour, and spending time just watching the activity there is one of the great pleasures of a visit. Heritage trawlers and modern fishing vessels come and go, the fish market opens in the early hours, and the quayside is always busy with colour and life.
Walk the length of the Brixham Breakwater — half a mile of stonework sheltering the harbour from the open sea — for a completely different perspective of the town and the bay. It is one of the finest viewpoints on the English Riviera.
The Golden Hind
A full-size replica of Sir Francis Drake’s famous circumnavigation vessel, moored in the inner harbour. Drake used the original Golden Hind to complete the first English circumnavigation of the globe between 1577 and 1580. Explore five decks of Tudor maritime history in one of the town’s most iconic sights. Excellent for families.
Brixham Fish Market
One of the busiest and most diverse fish markets in England. Guided tours run regularly and offer a fascinating insight into how the fishing industry actually works. If you want to cook at your property, the fishmongers around the harbour sell the same morning’s catch at outstanding quality and exceptional value.
Things to See & Do
Berry Head National Nature Reserve
One of the finest nature reserves in Devon and a UNESCO Global Geopark site. The dramatic limestone headland has Napoleonic forts, Britain’s smallest and highest lighthouse, and the largest guillemot colony in southern England. The cliffs are home to rare plants and extraordinary geology, and on a clear day the views across Torbay and towards Start Point are extraordinary. Free to enter and open all year.
💡 Local Tip: Visit Berry Head at dusk in spring and summer to watch the guillemots and razorbills returning to their nesting ledges. It is an extraordinary natural spectacle and completely free.
Shoalstone Seawater Pool
One of only a handful of surviving natural outdoor seawater pools in England, set on the seafront below Berry Head. Run by volunteers, open May to September, free to use with donations welcomed. A genuinely special and increasingly rare experience — the Art Deco structure is beautiful and the water is bracing.
South West Coast Path
The coast path around Berry Head and along the cliffs towards St Mary’s Bay and Sharkham Point is some of the most exhilarating walking on the English Riviera. The stretch from Brixham north along the coast towards Paignton also passes through beautiful clifftop country with outstanding views across Torbay.
Brixham Heritage Museum
A free-entry museum covering Brixham’s remarkable history, from the 1688 landing of William of Orange to the height of the trawler fleet era and the town’s wartime role. Passionate volunteers bring the stories to life.
Brixham Street Art
Brixham has quietly become one of Devon’s most exciting street art destinations. Over 15 full-size murals by local and visiting artists cover the sides of buildings across the town. Picking up the self-guided street art trail map from the tourist information point is a wonderful way to spend a couple of hours and discover parts of the town you might otherwise miss.
Brixham Battery Heritage Centre
The best-preserved World War Two coastal artillery battery on the British coastline, operated by passionate volunteers just along the waterfront from the harbour. Free entry and a genuinely moving piece of local history.
Harbour Boat Trips
A row of operators along the waterfront offers an excellent range of boat trips — from fishing excursions and pleasure cruises around the bay to Dolphin Watch wildlife tours in the waters around Berry Head. Dolphin sightings are common, and on lucky days you might spot basking sharks or sunfish in the summer months. Book ahead in peak season.
Eating & Drinking
Rockfish Brixham
Arguably the finest fish restaurant on the English Riviera, and located right next to the fish market. Rockfish’s own boat — the Rockfisher — lands its catch directly into the market below the restaurant, so the fish on your plate today was in the sea this morning. Exceptional quality, outstanding sustainable sourcing and a brilliant waterfront setting. Book ahead.
The Guardhouse Café, Berry Head
Set inside a Napoleonic-era fort at Berry Head with some of the most extraordinary views on the South Devon coast. Excellent food, warm service and a setting that makes any meal feel like an occasion. Well worth the walk from the car park.
The New Quay Inn & The Blue Anchor
Two proper harbourside pubs with good local ales, genuine atmosphere and real warmth. The New Quay looks directly over the inner harbour and is a wonderful spot for an evening pint as the fishing boats come and go.
💡 Local Tip: Fresh crab and lobster from the harbour fishmongers is the definitive Brixham lunch — buy it in the morning and enjoy it at the waterfront. There is nothing better on a warm Devon day.
Day Trips from Brixham
Dartmouth — Reachable by seasonal ferry from Brixham harbour. Dartmouth Castle, the medieval Embankment and some of the finest seafood restaurants in the South West make it a superb day out.
Berry Head to Start Point — Walk the coast path south from Brixham for some of the most dramatic coastal scenery in Devon, with sweeping views across Lyme Bay.
Torquay — Just along the bay to the north. Kents Cavern, Torre Abbey, Babbacombe Model Village and the Agatha Christie connection are all within easy reach.
Dartmoor National Park — Less than an hour inland. A complete change of scenery and atmosphere that makes for a wonderful day’s contrast with the coast.
Our Local Tips
- Go to the harbour area early morning to see the fleet at work and the fish market in full swing
- Walk the Brixham Breakwater on a calm morning for the best views of the harbour and across Torbay
- The street art trail is free, takes about an hour and is genuinely impressive
- Visit Berry Head on a weekday to have the headland largely to yourself
- The Brixham to Berry Head coastal walk takes about 90 minutes and is spectacular in both directions
- Shoalstone Pool is best on a warm weekday morning — it feels wonderfully timeless
- Book dolphin watching boat trips in advance in summer as they fill up quickly
- The Brixham Pirate Festival in May brings street food, live entertainment and extraordinary costumes to the harbour
We Can Arrange It For You
If there’s something you’d like to do, see, eat or experience during your stay in Brixham, just ask. We can help arrange dolphin watching boat trips, fishing excursions, a table at Rockfish, guided tours of the fish market, harbour boat charters and much more.
There’s no obligation and no booking fee. Get in touch at hello@thehostingcompany.uk or call us on 01803, and we’ll take care of it.
Staying in Brixham? Browse our collection of professionally managed properties at thehostingcompany.uk.
