![\"Katie](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/SEC_270220422-a40b.jpg\")
\n\t\tKatie Boyden and her partner spent their seventh anniversary in a Torquay B&B (Picture: Katie Boyden\/Metro)<\/p>\n
\t\t
\n\t\tKatie Boyden and her partner spent their seventh anniversary in a Torquay B&B (Picture: Katie Boyden\/Metro)<\/p>\n
In the latest instalment of\u00a0Metro Travel Hot Takes<\/a>, our reporter Katie Boyden<\/a> writes about her experience at \u2018England\u2019s best B&B\u2019 and how it\u2019s changed how she travels.<\/p>\n My partner and I love a staycation, and in the last couple of years we\u2019ve spent our anniversaries in York<\/a>, Edinburgh<\/a>, and Brighton<\/a>.<\/p>\n But eyebrows were certainly raised when I started telling people we were spending our seventh anniversary in Torquay<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Located on the so-called \u2018English Riviera\u2019, the Devon<\/a> town is best known for its beaches and seal-watching boat tours.<\/p>\n There was no chance in hell I\u2019d brave the waters for a dip in late September, so I must admit I was worried that we\u2019d be left with nothing to do during our weekend getaway.<\/p>\n Thankfully, it turned out that there\u2019s more to this Devon town than meets the eye \u2014 and our accommodation alone made it worth the trip.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\tSign up to The Getaway newsletter\t\t\t<\/p>\n Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration.\u00a0Sign up here<\/a>.<\/p>\n \t\t We stayed at The 25<\/a>, a boutique B&B just off the main road into town that was recently crowned England\u2019s best at the AA\u2019s annual tourism awards. <\/p>\n Joanna Lumley<\/a> is a fan \u2013 a framed \u2018thank you\u2019 note from the Ab Fab star hangs on the wall \u2013 and the maximalist decor and luxurious finish make it clear to see why.<\/p>\n We were impressed by the huge and extremely comfortable bed, the attentive and friendly service, and crucially, the breakfast (a veritable smorgasbord of homemade yogurts, pastries, fruit pots, fruit shots, and perfectly poached eggs).<\/p>\n \t\t But even more impressive was the fact that husband-and-wife owners, Jason and Marsela, had only taken over the B&B a few days before our arrival, the much-loved former proprietors having retired.<\/p>\n Not only are Jason and Marsela new to running the show, they\u2019re also new to Torquay. They recently relocated, along with their three children, from Surrey.<\/p>\n They\u2019re already head over heels for the town that spawned the world\u2019s rudest hotelier, Basil Fawlty<\/a>, a character based on a Torquay guesthouse owner.<\/p>\n The WiFi password even contains a nod to the classic TV show \u2014 but thankfully The 25\u2019s new owners are nothing like the infamous Mr F.<\/p>\n \u2018We know a lot of B&Bs close down over the winter period, but I think there\u2019s an opportunity here to stay open longer, there\u2019s so much to do here,\u2019 Jason said.<\/p>\n \u2018This is the best B&B in the country. If it\u2019s closed during this period, does that mean I shouldn\u2019t go to Torquay?\u2019<\/p>\n Despite ominous grey skies throughout our trip, we were lucky the temperature stayed warm and there wasn\u2019t a drop of rain to be seen.<\/p>\n On our first night, after a hellish six-hour drive, we freshened up and managed to squeeze in at Twenty1<\/a>, a highly-rated tapas and cocktail bar overlooking the harbour.<\/p>\n The lychee margarita was delicious, as was the mushroom and truffle flatbread, and there was beer brewed in neighbouring Cornwall<\/a> on tap, which went down a treat.<\/p>\n The next day, following a slap-up Full English at The 25, we made the half-hour pilgrimage to Kents Caverns, a deep dive (literally) into our ancient ancestors.<\/p>\n \t\t I\u2019d return to the Caverns in a heartbeat, if only to get hold of some more Quicke\u2019s Cave-aged Clothbound Cheddar, which spends at least six weeks maturing in the subterranean ambient temperature.<\/p>\n Next on the agenda was a walk around the seafront, checking out some of the grand rock formations and squinting at the waves to try and spot seals.<\/p>\n Sustenance was needed after our seaside walk. We hopped into The Yacht<\/a> for a bowl of truffle parmesan fries and a drink until our dinner reservation at Bistrot Pierre<\/a>.<\/p>\n Once we returned to The 25 \u2013 a 10-minute walk from the seafront cutting through the grounds of the historic Torre Abbey \u2013 we received the sort of attention to detail and personal touch that set it apart from the anonymous and sometimes grotty Airbnbs we\u2019ve used in the past.<\/p>\n Over breakfast, I mentioned to Jason and Marsela that we were in Torquay to celebrate our anniversary. I hadn\u2019t said anything when we booked, as I didn\u2019t want to make a fuss.<\/p>\n \t\t But when we returned to our room (the luxurious Torre suite), a bottle of pink prosecco and a card addressed to \u2018such a lovely couple\u2019 was waiting for us.<\/p>\n I\u2019d also mentioned in passing that I was dreading the return drive after such a lengthy trip from Kent to Torquay on Friday.<\/p>\n In response, Jason and Marsela made up a goody bag of bottled water, crisps and snacks to make the journey more bearable (and save a bit of money at the services).<\/p>\n Honestly, we were both touched. Maybe this is standard practice at B&Bs, but after years of budget accommodation, we were both delighted by the genuine care that went into hosting us.<\/p>\n \t\t On that lengthy drive back, as my partner fed me crisps from the passenger seat, we made a vow for our anniversary trips to come: no more Airbnbs.<\/p>\n Yes, a B&B will likely cost more, and budget hotel chains or Airbnbs are fine for flying visits.<\/p>\n But next time we go away to celebrate, we\u2019ll be making sure our accommodation is just as special.<\/p>\n Katie and Robert stayed in the Torre suite at The 25 on Avenue Road, Torquay<\/a>, for \u00a3225 per night including breakfast. Prices range from \u00a3125 to \u00a3275 per night, depending on room and level of demand<\/p>\n Arrow Arrow Arrow![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/1000014032-4be3.jpg\")
\n\t\tThe 25 in Torquay is bold, brash and brilliant (Picture: Katie Boyden)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/1000014066-289d.jpg\")
\n\t\tThe breakfast, including the \u2018smoothie shot of the day\u2019 and homemade yogurt, was delightful (Picture: Katie Boyden)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/1000014029-e405.jpg\")
\n\t\tA shower dreams are made of (Picture: Katie Boyden)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/1000014083-0f0a.jpg\")
\n\t\tI highly recommend a seafront walk, whatever the weather, to blow away the cobwebs (Picture: Katie Boyden)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/1000014092-3848-e1760435558683.jpg\")
\n\t\tJason and Marsela left us a lovely card and a bottle of fizz (Picture: Katie Boyden)<\/p>\n
\nMORE: The \u2018Santorini of Italy\u2019 with \u00a322 autumn flights and close links to Greece<\/a><\/p>\n
\nMORE: Big John Fisher forced into deportation hotel in Australia after visa mishap<\/a><\/p>\n
\nMORE: All the European airport strikes planned for October 2025 and beyond<\/a><\/p>\n