Explore the beautiful gardens and fabulous views of Torbay from the comfort of The Miggi.
Day One
Arrive at The Miggi. Settle into your comfy, book-themed room, enjoy a welcome cuppa, and perhaps choose a book to read from our shelves.
A two-minute stroll to our local beach to walk on the sand and watch the waves is soothing at any time of day, and a great way to stretch your legs if you’ve been sitting in a car or train all day.
Pick up a vegan smoothie, coffee, or ice cream from the blue Sara’s at the Beach shack in the row of beach huts, or a drink from the terrace bar of the Redcliffe Hotel at the end of our road – the hotel has an interesting past and quirky design, and the sweeping view of the bay from their terrace is fabulous.
In the evening, enjoy a freshly-cooked meal made by Phoenix of All Good Things, served in our Agatha Christie dining room (book in advance with Phoenix).
Day Two
After your tasty Miggi breakfast, visit Coleton Fishacre. The Arts and Crafts house nestles in a coastal valley surrounded by beautiful RHS-accredited gardens with exotic plants, herbaceous borders and sea views, bordered by woodland and wildflowers.
The mansion was built in the 1920s for the son of Richard D’Oyly Carte, the entrepreneur behind Gilbert and Sullivan and owner of the Savoy Hotel. Now maintained by the National Trust, so there’s the traditional shop and cafe (vegan options available).
Arriving back in Paignton, treat yourself to a meal at Tam’s Kitchen, our local vegan cafe (dogs welcome, accessible but has narrow doorway). Do mention that you’re staying at The Miggi!
Day Three
After breakfast, visit the tranquil Tessier Gardens, an award-winning adults-only park near Babbacombe, Torquay. Sit on one of the many benches arranged around the park to watch the squirrels.
Next, head to Torre Abbey. The Abbey cafe has a few vegan options for a snack lunch. The ancient abbey is set in 18 acres of gardens, including huge greenhouses and the Potent Plants garden which commemorates all the plants that feature in the novels of Agatha Christie.
For your evening meal, check out our list of places with vegan options in Torbay.
Day Four
After a leisurely breakfast, visit Greenway house and garden. A Georgian house with views to the Dart river estuary which was the holiday home of Agatha Christie. The house interior is 1950s style and houses many of Christie’s collections. The extensive grounds include walled gardens, woodland, a Camellia Garden, Fernery and riverside paths around the boathouse. Greenway is run by the National Trust, so there’s the traditional shop and cafe (vegan options available), and also a large secondhand book shop.
Head back to The Miggi late afternoon for one of Phoenix’s epic afternoon cream teas, served on traditional tiered stands in our dining room. You can take any treats you can’t eat in one sitting back to your room to nibble through the evening.
Day Five
After breakfast, visit Cockington Country Park. Surrounded by woodlands, the country park is home to a quaint historic village, Cockington Court, walled rose gardens, and a craft centre with makers’ workspaces and studios.
The Country Park hosts a range of events, exhibitions and workshops through the year, including a sculpture trail around the gardens. There is a guide to various walking routes here.
For a meal out, there are some (limited) vegan options at the tea rooms, or the Drum Inn at Cockington has vegan options, wheelchair access and welcomes dogs.
Day Six
After your delicious breakfast, take the “Round Robin” trip by steam train, river cruise and bus. The views from the train and boat are lovely, and you’ll also get to visit historic Dartmouth and Totnes.
You can do the triangular route in either direction – we recommend getting lunch in quaint Totnes where you’ll have a choice of vegan and veggie cafes such as Zappa’s, Seeds2, and the Hairy Barrista. There are lots of independent bookshops and a large healthfood store to explore, too.
For wheelchair and scooter users, the steam train has an accessible carriage and alternate ferries across to Dartmouth have ramps, but unfortunately, the river cruise is not accessible. You can get a ticket for the train trip and ferry over to Dartmouth. For an accessible river trip, check out the charity DartSailAbility.
In the evening, book another gourmet vegan meal from Phoenix of All Good Things to enjoy in our dining room.
Day Seven
After breakfast, take a late morning leisurely stroll along the seafront past the Victorian Paignton Pier, to Harbour Light for banana blossom “fish” and chips. Built into the harbour wall, Harbour Light’s dining room and roof terrace have views of the harbour one side and the sea on the other.
On Sundays there is a local maker’s market at the harbour – look out for the Curious Crumbs stall for some tasty vegan and gluten-free treats!
If you feel like continuing your walk after lunch, you can carry on along the South West Coast Path to see Fairy Cove and Goodrington Beach by pretty Youngs Park (Cantina cafe has vegan options).
Last day
Our hearty breakfast should set you up for your journey home. Although your room check-out time is 11am, you’re welcome to leave your bags a little longer so you needn’t rush too much – there’s always time to pop to the beach and say goodbye to the sea (until next time).