European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - September 26, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse                                The Beach at Torre Abbey Sands in Torquay is popular with strollers waders and windsurfers. Torbay tourist Board Torquay but Only four Miles by one of the frequent ferries that shuttle across the Bay. Between March and the end of october nighttime cruises to Brixham Are available with the return trip after dusk offering a View of Torbay s Bright lights. Another nighttime cruise goes around a jutting piece of land to the East of Torquay known As Hope s nose for a trip to the Fisherman s inn an old English pub. The cruises Cost 3.50 pounds about $6 for adults and 1.50 pounds about $2,50 for children. Sights near the English Riviera include dartmoor National Park about a half hour s drive Inland. The moors there were the setting for the Sherlock Holmes mystery the hound of the Basker vines. North of the Park is a miniature Pony Center at Moretonhampstead where ponies measuring As tiny As 16 inches High Are bred. Some of the ponies have pedigrees dating Back More than a Century. For 75 Pence about $1.30children can ride one of the ponies. The Harbor at Brixham is Home to an Active fishing Industry. Torbay tourist Board travel Erst tips approximately 18 beaches. Some like Torre Abbey Sands in Torquay Are covered with red Sand from the nearby red Cliffs of Devon. Others such As Odd Combe Beach in nearby Babb Combe is an example of the  s pebbly coves and beaches. Palm Trees aside the English Riviera is decidedly English. Creamed teas usually served with fresh baked scones and Strawberry Jam Are available in almost every eatery. Caramel fudge and toffees made from Devon clotted Cream is sold at every confectionary shop. Fish and Chip shops most of them Selling fresh fish from Brixham Are prevalent. It s common to see folks lounging on the seafront munching on what the British Call the original fast food and watching boats pass in and out of the Harbor. The Babb Combe fish and Chip shop on Prince s Street in Babb Combe was voted the Best in Britain in 1989. It is open limited hours during the Day and is closed on sunday. Torquay has been described As the Queen of the three cities making up the English Riviera. Most of the Riviera s attractions Are in this City or in its adjacent villages. The Ivy covered Torre Abbey is Torbay s oldest and most historic building having been founded in 1196 As a monastery and later remodeler As a private residence. Inside the reportedly haunted mansion is the Agatha Christie memorial room. Memorabilia there include the Remington typewriter on which she churned out the famous mysteries solved by Hercule Poirot and miss Marple. Christie who was born in Torquay in 1890, honeymooned in the town s Seaside grand hotel in 1914. A one mile horse and Carriage taxi ride from Torquay s seafront Down Cocking on Lane brings visitors to Cocking on a picture perfect English Village of thatched buildings including an old forge and a Mill. Another Torquay attraction is Kents Cavern underground caves formed some 2 million years ago and excavated by the victorians. A guide conducts a 45-minute tour past stalactites and stalagmites dark tunnels and weird Stone configurations and tells of the times when the caverns were Home to hyenas bears and Cavemen. Paignton is the site of the grand White columned old Way mansion the Home started by Isaac Merritt Singer the founder of . Singer and company and completed in 1875, the year he died. Many of its rooms were designed As replicas of rooms in the French Palace at Versailles including the Hall of mirrors. The building now houses government offices but its first and second floors Are open to the Public. Another attraction in the City at the Middle of the curved coast of Tor Bay is its 75-acre zoo with More than 1,200 animals. Brixham the smallest of the three towns sits on the opposite end of the Bay from Torquay. Vessels operating from its Harbor continue its fishing tradition and fishermen Are known to clean their catch of the Day on the pier. The town s Harbor front businesses further emphasize its ties to the sea a there s the Crown and Anchor pub and the Galley restaurant just to name a couple. Fresh seafood including lobster is a Staple on restaurant menus in Brixham. Brixham is about 10 Miles by Road from to drive to the English Riviera from London take the m-4 West to Bristol and then the m-5 South past Exeter to the intersection with a-380. Follow a-380 to the turn off for Torquay. Another Way is to take the m-3 from London to the exit for a-303 near Popham. Stay on a-303 As it changes its name to a-30 and then a-380 near Exeter. Some opening times and admission prices a Torre Abbey is open until nov. 22, from 9 30 . To 5 . Admission is 2 pounds about $3.50 for adults and 1 Pound $1.75 for children 8 to 15. A Tours of Kents Cavern begin daily except Christmas at 10 . Closing times vary depending on time of year during september and october and april through june it is 6 ., Between november and March it is 5 ., and july and August it is 9 . Admission is 2.60 pounds for adults and 1.60 pounds for children 5 to 15. A the Public rooms of old Way mansion Are open May through september 10 . To 1 . And 2 15 . To 5 . Mondays through saturdays. On sunday the Public hours Are 2 30 . To 5 . A the Moretonhampstead Pony Center is open from 10 . To 5 . With last admissions at 4 . Through oct. 31. Entry tees Are 3.75 pounds for adults 2.75 pounds for children children younger than 3 Are free. Pony rides Are available Between 11 . And 4 ., weather permitting. A the Paignton zoo is open daily 10 . To 6 ., with Entrance fees of 4.95 pounds for adults and 3 pounds for children 5 to 15. Another attraction is a 4-acre Model Village in Babb Combe. Opening times Are 9 . To 10 . Daily until oct. 31 after oct. 31, closing time is 5 . Admission is 2.90 pounds for adults and 1.75 pounds for children 3 to 13. For a 200-Page Magazine on accommodations and More information on the English Riviera Contact the Torbay tourist Board at the tourist Center Vaughn Parade Torquay tq2 5jg, Devon us or Call 0803-296296. For information about what lies beyond the Riviera Call the West country tourist Board at 0392-76351. Both numbers Are for Calls within Britain if calling from outside Britain be sure to add the Pronier country code a Amy Geiszler Jones / Torbay september 26, 1991 stripes Magazine 7