This small town just over two hours from Bristol has everything you need for a relaxing yet fun-packed holiday
(Image: Getty Images)
Brixham, a quaint town nestled on the Devon coast, could be your ideal holiday destination.
Far from being just another UK seaside spot, Brixham offers an intriguing, picturesque and unexpected experience and it’s just under two-and-a-half-hours away from Bristol.
Today, Brixham lures visitors to the most charming corner of the English Riviera with its beautiful beaches, lively pubs brimming with boisterous sailors, and a replica of the Golden Hind galleon.
Historians will remind you that Brixham first gained prominence when William of Orange landed his army there in 1688, before marching to London to seize the throne, marking the Glorious Revolution as a “big success”.
Alongside revolution, Brixham’s history is steeped in fishing. In 1804, Parliament sanctioned the construction of its fish market, which grew to become the largest in England, reports the Mirror.
Back then, 270 sail-operated decked trawlers and 1,600 seamen braved the elements to haul in thousands of tonnes of fish, which were transported by steam trains up the railways to the Capital.
Fast forward two centuries, and a post-Covid online auction system allows buyers worldwide to order some of the £25 million worth of catch landed annually at England’s most valuable fish market.
(Image: Cancer Research)
However, for me, and I suspect many holidaymakers who visit Brixham, it isn’t the Royal connection or fishing industry that make the town such a delightful place to visit. It’s Brixham’s beauty, and the locals’ love for a good knees-up.
Brixham’s beauty is unquestionably captivating. My wife and I had the pleasure of staying in the Petite Maison apartments situated above the quayside, waking up each morning to the idyllic sight of fishing boats gently swaying on the water, illuminated by the rising sun like a multicoloured oil slick.
The town of Brixham ascends 100m on both sides of the quay, with rows of cottages nestled on the hillside. Traditionally, these were painted in various colours to guide sailors home during days of poor visibility at sea, or so a local taxi driver informed us.
Recently, the Light Up Brixham community group has been encouraging homeowners to adopt pastel hues for their properties. The result is an exceptionally picturesque town that bears more than a passing resemblance to Balamory.
While most visitors flock to Brixham during the summer months when the quayside chip shops, sweet shops and arcades are bustling with activity, a winter stay presents an intriguing alternative.
Thanks to the efforts of Light Up Brixham, the town is adorned with Christmas lights throughout the festive season, transforming it into a twinkling spectacle of fairy lights and waving Santas that returning fishermen would find hard to miss even on the stormiest of nights.
In November, the townsfolk gather to honour those who have perished at sea, paying their respects to the sound of ‘Abide With Me’, a hymn penned by local Reverend Henry Francis Lyte just weeks before his death.
Brixham, United Kingdom – May 2, 2012: Colorful hillside homes overlooking the harbor at Brixham, UK(Image: Getty Images)
“One of the most moving moments of the year for me is Remembrance Sunday when the town band plays Abide With Me and it coincides with the lifeboat going out to sea to lay a wreath for the merchant navy seamen lost at sea,” explains local Paul Jolly on the Brixham Today podcast.
Visits to Brixham have evolved considerably in recent years. The town once boasted three holiday parks, including a Pontins, which shut its doors in 2014 before being ravaged by arson.
Nowadays, extended caravan holidays have given way to short breaks in Airbnbs and guesthouses.
Yet that doesn’t mean Brixham’s vibrant spirit isn’t readily accessible. The town’s pubs overflow with community atmosphere, ranking amongst the liveliest and most spirited establishments I’ve encountered in ages.
On Friday evening, local funk pairing The Schofields electrified The Bullers, encouraging patrons into impromptu Cossack dancing with a slap-bass rendition of Rasputin. Twenty-four hours later, guitarist Oli Syrett had Golden Anchor regulars providing backing vocals to AC/DC’s Thunderstruck.
Brixham, UK. 11 April 2025. People quayside in Brixham(Image: Getty Images)
Following his acoustic interpretation of Insomnia to close the set, we made our way to Liberty – a cocktail venue where they’ll print an image of your spouse’s face onto her beverage for a mere £1.50.
The festivities extended to more unexpected venues. Coinciding with the Tory Party Conference in Manchester, my wife and I decided to do something completely out of character and popped into the Brixham Conservative Club.
At the venue, the octogenarian and nonagenarian musicians of the Odds and Ends brass band performed a selection of 1960s and 1970s hits whilst patrons enjoyed reasonably priced pints under swirling disco lighting.
Our venture into unfamiliar political territory came to an abrupt halt when two amiable gentlemen from Herefordshire joined us on the seating, enquired whether we were “young Tories” and proceeded to outline their views on why Keir Starmer was “rotten to the core”.
My wife and I made our way to dinner at the delightful Olive restaurant along the seafront. The tapas-style establishment boasts a vibrant ambience, an impressively comprehensive wine selection, and what may well be the finest fried halloumi I’ve encountered.
The following morning, we recovered from our overindulgence and set sail at 6.50am aboard the Dolphin Explorer for a cooked breakfast and dolphin watching – all for just £12.50.
We’d received the invitation from a delightful local resident we’d encountered during a particularly spirited pub and restaurant tour of Torquay the previous day.
“It’s my birthday in two weeks,” she remarked whilst pouring four glasses of sparkling wine as dawn broke over the water. “What people need to know about Brixham is it’s a drinking town with a fishing problem.”
How to visit:
The official English Riviera website offers numerous recommendations for accommodation and activities.
The railway journey from London takes three hours from Paddington to Torquay, with a 30-minute bus connection linking Torquay to Brixham.