With the Easter holidays here, we're getting ready to introduce our annual seasonal changes.

We’ve put together an essential guide for residents and visitors to advise them on what we are doing to make Torbay enjoyable and accessible for all this summer.

English Riviera Wheel

The English Riviera Wheel arrived in Torquay earlier this week and will be open from Saturday 1 April. Standing 100 feet tall at its location in Princess Gardens, the popular attraction provides passengers with a bird’s eye view of the English Riviera coastline with 360-degree views across Torquay Harbour and beyond.

The English Riviera Wheel will be open daily from 10am until 7pm Monday through to Friday, and 10am until 10pm on Saturday and Sunday.

Tickets can be purchased through the English Riviera Wheel website. 

Toilets

From 1 April, public toilets across Torbay will be open from 8am until 9pm. Toilets are regularly cleaned but are only as clean as the last user. Anyone using the toilets are asked to leave them how they would wish to find them.

For a full list of facilities, opening times and reporting issues please refer to our Public toilets page. 

Tor Bay Harbour Authority

Tor Bay Harbour Authority are in the process of preparing the 5 Knot speed markers ready for their deployment from 1 May 2023. The markers are in place to protect swimmers and small craft users.

Over the winter new guidance has been received which relates to the misuse of Personal Water Craft (PWC) such as Jet Skis. Anyone who uses such equipment are advised to familiarise themselves with the new laws to avoid prosecution. Find out more about using PWCs safely and legally on Torbay’s waters. 

The Beach team have been busy getting Beach Huts out of winter storage ready for the summer season. Some of Torbay’s beaches have Beach Huts that can be hired for a short time (daily and weekly). Find out more about Beach Hut hire. 

Anyone using Torbay’s beaches or waters are encouraged to read important safety information to ensure all users remain safe. Find out more on the Tor Bay Harbour Authority website. 

Street and beach cleaning

April signals the start of additional cleaning. Torbay’s beaches are regularly raked, and the seaweed collected is taken to a nearby farm, after which it is turned into compost and reused in parks and flowerbeds.

Seasonal staff begin their employment to help keep Torbay’s town centres and seafront locations tidy. Additional bins are placed along the beachfront promenades.

Grass cutting and planting

SWISCo Parks and Open Spaces teams are currently preparing flower beds for Torbay’s annual flower meadow displays. New planting schemes will also be implemented in Paignton and Meadfoot. Both schemes have been designed to suit their locations to accommodate either the harsh salt sea winds or areas that have in the past been inherent with weeds.

Across Torbay efforts continue to improve biodiversity by linking up nature corridors, reducing herbicides, encouraging wildflowers to provide an oasis for insects, reduce CO2 emissions and trap water. These areas will be identifiable with new colourful signs.

Find out more about planting, grass cutting and the management of open spaces. 

Dogs on beaches

An early reminder that from 1 May until 30 September 2023, dogs will only be allowed on certain beaches across Torbay. Find out which beaches in Torbay you can take your dog to and when. 

All dog owners or walkers are reminded that they are responsible for the control of their pet at all times, as well as picking up after their dog to ensure all areas of Torbay remain safe and clean. Find out more about being a responsible dog owner and reporting fouling. 

Preventing unauthorised encampments

Every year we do all we can to prevent unauthorised encampments at various sites across Torbay. We have already put in place several preventative measures and will be proactively visiting and monitoring these sites to discourage unauthorised access to council land. Generally, we become aware of encampments very quickly and deploy teams to gather information and start any legal proceedings. Our Unauthorised Encampments page explains the process and how encampments can be reported. 

What’s on in 2023

There’s an amazing calendar of events happening across Torquay, Paignton, and Brixham from Easter until the end of the year. There’s something for everyone to enjoy and experience. Find out more on the English Riviera website. 

Playing in the Streets returns next week for more FREE entertainment for all the family.

• Monday 3 April, Fore Street, Brixham
• Tuesday 4 April, Torbay Road, Paignton
• Wednesday 5 April, Lower Union Street, Torquay

Turn up anytime between 11am and 3pm for street magic, circus workshops, art activities and more!

Playing in the Streets is a Torbay Council event as part of its Torbay on the Move initiative which is being delivered by Tonic Creatives a local event company.