“Torquay like Rome was built on 7 hills, Italianate villas set amongst the pines…”

Today, Torquay is a busy international resort; but it wasn’t always so. Its rapid growth began in the first half of the 19th century when the population expanded from a small fishing village of approximately 800 to 10,000 by 1850.

In 1846 Queen Victoria and Prince Albert visited the area. The Queen wrote in her journal: ' We came to Babbacombe, a small bay, where we remained an hour. It was a beautiful spot; red cliffs and rocks with wooded hills like Italy.'  Torquay soon became known as ‘Queen of the Riviera’.

The age of the railway brought an era of unprecedented prosperity and many large hotels were built.  Brunel opened the railway station at Torre in 1848; Paignton and Torquay in 1859 and Brixham in1868.

Known for its mild winter climate and good air; during the 1800’s Torquay attracted many invalids who came to convalesce. This trend continued into the next century when WW1 soldiers were brought to Torquay to recover from their injuries. After the Great War a successful advertising campaign by The Great Western Railway Company was responsible for making Torquay one of Britain’s major resorts.

During the 1950’s,and 60’s like many seaside resorts, Torquay remained popular with the masses. The railways, and the Torbay Express in particular played a major role in Torquay’s success as a holiday destination. But with the increasing number of people owning a car, the railways role in holiday culture decreased, heralding a new era in Torquay’s history.