Christmas on the English Riviera

After joining the coach, we make our way to our hotel and check in. Enjoy a warm welcome, with a festive mince pie and then pick up a glass of Bucks Fizz on your way to the hotel restaurant this evening. Tonight’s entertainment includes a tribute to 60s Divas!

Christmas on the English Riviera

We enjoy a day out, visiting the quaint towns of Dawlish and Teignmouth. Dawlish, a quaint and friendly resort that was once a tiny fishing village before the Victorian Railway Age transformed it into a thriving seaside town. Nestled between striking red sandstone cliffs and overlooking a sandy beach, it still has trains running right along the seafront. We then continue to Teignmouth, a handsome estuary town with a bustling harbour, elegant Georgian crescent, classic promenade and Victorian pier, offering fine views across the bay.

Later today, we return to our hotel with time to relax before we regroup for dinner in the Restaurant, followed by a quiz, bingo and special live entertainment – a tribute to Lionel Richie.

Christmas on the English Riviera

We start the day with a special breakfast in the restaurant, where Santa will visit with gifts! The show bar opens mid-morning, the ideal place to relax with a drink or join in on the festive quiz, Christmas singalong or bingo. Enjoy your traditional Christmas Day lunch, complete with all the trimmings, and later, watch the King’s speech before settling in for our afternoon Christmas Movie.

This evening, we help ourselves to a buffet in the restaurant and then there’s the chance for more fun and games in the Show Bar, as we delve into our nightly entertainment programme of bingo, a quiz and live entertainment with Chris Chaplin.

Christmas on the English Riviera

Enjoy a hearty breakfast before we visit Brixham, a lively and picturesque fishing port nestled along the English Riviera. Colourful cottages tumble down the hillside towards the harbour, where you’ll find a full-sized replica of Sir Francis Drake’s Golden Hind. Enjoy time to explore the winding streets, browse independent shops and arcades or simply relax with a drink while watching the boats bob in the horseshoe bay.

We return to the hotel for some time at leisure and to enjoy a mince pie or two! Later, we are treated to a delicious carvery before more games and live entertainment with our Tom Jones tribute in the Show Bar.

Christmas on the English Riviera

This morning, after a full English breakfast, we board the coach for our return journey home.

On day 4, travel along the bay to lively Brixham, a picturesque fishing port where colourful cottages tumble to the harbour. Wander the quayside to the full-size replica of Sir Francis Drake’s Golden Hind, then explore winding streets lined with galleries and independent shops. Take a seat by the water to watch trawlers and pleasure craft bob in the horseshoe bay.

Brixham’s maritime story spans Tudor privateering to a thriving modern fish market, and you can still sense the town’s seafaring grit in the working fish quay, the cry of gulls and the smell of tarred nets. Use your free time to pause for photos and reflection along the harbour walls or browse for nautical keepsakes before returning to Torquay.

On day 1, settle into the Riviera Hotel and join the festive welcome with a warm mince pie and a sparkling glass of Bucks Fizz. Take a moment to unwind before dinner in the restaurant, then make your way to the Show Bar where the evening’s entertainment begins.

Tonight features a tribute to 60s Divas, channelling the spirit of Dusty, Dionne and Motown greats in a friendly, cabaret-style setting. Expect familiar choruses, tight harmonies and a convivial seaside-hotel atmosphere that sets the tone for a sociable festive break. This relaxed first night eases you into Torquay’s coastal pace and ensures you enjoy a free evening filled with music and seasonal cheer.

On day 3, start with a special breakfast as Santa visits with gifts. The Show Bar opens mid-morning for a relaxed programme where you can join the festive quiz, lift your voice in a Christmas singalong or try your luck at bingo. Between activities, enjoy the buzz of holiday conversations and the glow of decorations around the lounge.

At midday, sit down to a traditional Christmas Day lunch with all the trimmings, followed by the nation’s ritual to watch the King’s Speech. Later, settle in for an afternoon Christmas movie and, come evening, help yourself to a light buffet before more sociable games. The day blends cherished British customs with unhurried hotel comfort, all under one festive roof.

On days 2–4, after dinner in the restaurant, head to the Show Bar to test your wits in a lively quiz, try your luck at bingo and enjoy live tribute performances. Order a drink, settle into the banquette seating and soak up a friendly, cabaret mood where sing-along choruses and light-hearted competition keep the night moving.

Expect soulful anthems in a tribute to Lionel Richie (day 2), live entertainment with Chris Chaplin on Christmas night (day 3) and big-voice classics in a Tom Jones tribute (day 4). These hosted evenings capture the sociable spirit of a British seaside Christmas, offering an easy way to unwind and enjoy a free evening in good company.

On day 2, join a scenic coastal excursion to Dawlish and Teignmouth. In Dawlish, stroll the seafront beneath red sandstone cliffs as trains skimming the seawall flash past the beach and the town brook winds through the Lawn, often with black swans in attendance. Continue to Teignmouth’s elegant Georgian crescent, bustling harbour and Victorian pier, taking in broad views across the bay towards Shaldon.

This outing traces how the South Devon coast grew from fishing villages into chic resorts, with Brunel’s sea wall carrying the Great Western Railway at the ocean’s edge. Enjoy time to browse independent shops, amble the promenade and pause for photos and reflection by the estuary. Return to Torquay late afternoon, leaving a little time to enjoy a free evening before dinner and entertainment.