Silversea Luxury Cruises To Torquay, England

Enjoy an active half-day excursion, on this lovely walk along the Coral Coast, rounded up by a pint and a pasty before visiting the prehistoric Kent's Cavern.

Coral Coast

Depart Torquay pier and drive to Anstey's Cove for a circular walk with your guide along the Coral Coast to discover how arid deserts, tropical seas and ferocious floods have helped shape the coastline of Torbay today. Explore a section of the South West Coast Path, which takes you back in time to the Devonian period where the rocky outcrops of Torbay were formed during the ice ages and experience some spectacular rock formations, geological features and wildlife.

Devonshire Pasty and a PInt

End your walk at Kent's Cavern, a spectacular natural cave on the coast of south Devon with an incredible history that began 400 million years ago. Upon arrival, enjoy a traditional Devonshire pasty and a pint of beer before embarking on your private guided tour of the prehistoric caves.

Kent's Cavern

The cave was used by Britain's first humans including Neanderthals and remains of mammoth, woolly rhino and cave bears are found here. Listen, as your knowledgeable guide gives an amazing insight into Ice Age life and an opportunity to see naturally formed chambers, stunning geological formations and to walk through an underground world that was home to Europe's first humans.

After your tour re-board your coach for the short journey back to the pier

On this half-day tour, discover the beautiful Devonshire Riviera by traditional steam train. The tour includes some free time to explore the picturesque town of Dartmouth.

Paignton to Kingswear Steam Train Journey

After a short coach transfer from the pier to Paignton train station, board a steam train for a 30-minute ride to the river-side town of Kingswear. With whistles blowing and smoke puffing the train passes around the South Devon coastline past fine golden beaches, rocky cliffs and through rolling wooded valleys to emerge alongside the tranquil River Dart and its ever-widening estuary.

Dart River Ferry

Disembarking the train walk the short distance to the ferry for the three-minute journey across the river.

Dartmouth

On the other bank, visit the historic town of Dartmouth, with all its Royal Naval connections, narrow streets, old houses, and imposing river promenade. Here, enjoy a short walking tour of the old town, or enjoy some free time for shopping - or perhaps try one of the local pubs, to sample an English draft beer! Meet your coach and return to Torquay by road.

Enjoy a half day of exploration of Exeter, one of the oldest cities in the United Kingdom. Visit the magnificent Cathedral and have the opportunity to browse the local shops during some time at leisure.

Exeter Walking Tour

Exeter is one of the oldest cities in the United Kingdom. This tour of the city reveals its ancient past and offers guests the chance to tour on foot with the expert guide, visiting the magnificent Cathedral and neighbouring historic buildings, landmarks streets and public gardens developed over the last 900 years

Time at Leisure

If you would rather like to take advantage of the shopping opportunity, Exeter is the main regional shopping city and offers excellent choices in anything from cloths to antiques, with plenty of pleasant cafes and restaurants

On this leisurely half-day tour, visit a Medieval town that remains to this day a thriving market town, and travel to a fascinating nearby Abbey lovingly rebuilt in recent times.

Buckfast Abbey

On the edge of the moor lies Buckfast Abbey, a thriving community of Benedictine monks. The original 11th - century Buckfast Abbey fell into ruin after the dissolution of the monasteries. In 1882 four monks returned, and in 1906 they began the monumental task of rebuilding the church themselves. It took them 31 years - a feat made even more remarkable by the fact that only one of them had previous building experience. Now only the absence of the patina of age distinguishes this splendid church - a mix of early English and Norman styles - from original fabric.

A presentation and exhibition explains the monks' achievement and their present-day work. Famed for its stained glass, fine examples of the monk's own work adorn the Abbey. Join a guided tour of the Abbey Church conducted by one of the monks or take time to explore at leisure. Also visit the gardens and the produce shop which sells everything from bees wax to the much enjoyed monastic beverage: Meade.

Totnes

Afterwards head to the thriving Medieval town of Totnes. Choose to explore with your guide and ascend the steep hill to the well preserved castle, or enjoy some free time to shop in the eclectic selection of quaint ancient stores in the town's narrow streets. Coffee shops are also plentiful.

Spend a delightful half day, on a private visit of the country house of Coleton Fishacre and its amazing gardens, beautifully located along the South Devon coast.

Coleton Fishacre House

Famed for its connection with the D'Oyly Carte family, this charming country house is built on a site, which originally formed part of a 2000-acre estate, farmed from as early as the thirteenth century. The estate is now prized for the very individual house, beautiful gardens and magnificent coastline. Perhaps its most striking feature is its position on one of the most idyllic stretches of the South Devon coast.

It is said that Sir Rupert D'Oyly Carte first noticed the site while sailing between Brixham and Dartmouth and was immediately enchanted. When the National Trust came to buy the estate in 1982 as part of the Enterprise Neptune campaign, they were originally drawn by the coastline but gradually discovered that both the garden and house also held great interest.

Coleton Fishacre Gardens

The garden benefits from an exceptional climate, being warm and south-facing and enjoying the humidity provided by a rill. With no prevailing wind from the south, there has been no need to plant trees simply as a shield. These advantages allowed Lady Dorothy to include in her plantings some very rare and even newly discovered species from as far away as Chile and China. These are all detailed in her planting book, which still survives. Many of these rare species were found throughout the garden by the National Trust botanist when the site was surveyed upon its purchase.