Torquay – Janet's Adventures in Waterstones

Torquay is a popular seaside town on the south coast of Devon, colloquially known as the English Riviera. The town is currently undergoing quite a lot of regeneration. The author Agatha Christie was born in the town in 1890 and lived there until 1914 when she got married. The town is rightly proud of Christie, and there is a statue commemorating her close to the harbour. Torquay is also known as being the location of the 70s sitcom <i>Fawlty Towers</i> starring John Cleese, his then wife Connie Booth, and Andrew Sachs. I thought it would be fun to find the hotel used for filming, but sadly it was demolished, and a retirement living complex built in its place. It’s called Sachs Lodge, and has a blue plaque to mark the show. The Waterstones in Torquay is in the main shopping area in a modern building.

Torquay map

The Pavilion Theatre

The theatre opened in 1912 and hosted numerous plays and concerts before closing its doors in 1973 when it was proposed the building be demolished. It was given listed status and continued with new owners in 1976, until it closed again in 2013. Art Nouveau in style, it is due to be renovated by the council, with an aim to reopening it to the public for events in the future. There is, of course, a plaque to Agatha Christie on the front of the building!

London Bridge Arch

This is a natural limestone arch close to the South West Coastal Path. We spotted it from the Beacon Quay so walked along the path to take a closer look.