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.
Visit the Redcliffe Hotel at the end of our road (below) – the hotel has an interesting past and quirky design, and the sweeping view of the bay from their terrace bar 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 delicious Miggi breakfast, head to Kent’s Cavern in Torquay. The Cavern is one of the most important Stone Age sites in Europe.
Entertaining tour guides explain how ancient humans used the caves, how they were formed, and the story of the Victorians who excavated the site. You’ll be surrounded by 400 million year old rocks and spectacular stalagmites and stalactites.
Some of the significant finds from the caves are exhibited at Torquay Museum. The Museum also hosts travelling exhibitions and a gallery dedicated to Agatha Christie.
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 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 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. Instead of the Round Robin, you can get a ticket for the train trip which includes the ferry over to Dartmouth. For an accessible river trip, check out the charity DartSailAbility.
Day Four
After your hearty Miggi breakfast, visit Berry Head Nature Reserve on the headland near Brixham. Surrounded by the sea on three sides, the reserve has the remains of a Napoleonic Fort and has views for miles across the bay.
There are dozens of paths and trails to explore before heading to the Guard House cafe which has panoramic views from the top of the headland and has a few vegan options on the menu for lunch.
The 300m path from the car park to the headland is well paved and the cafe is accessible for wheelchairs and scooters. The cafe is also dog-friendly.
Heading on into Brixham, you can see the historic harbour, Golden Hind Museum Ship and Brixham Heritage Museum.
If you want to get something to eat in Brixham, the Old Market House by the harbour has vegan options, some accessible tables, and is dog-friendly.
Day Five
After your tasty breakfast, visit Torre Abbey, ancient scheduled monument dating back to 1196 set within 18 acres of garden and parkland. Their “800 years gallery” tells the story of the Abbey, while other floors host hundreds of works of art.
The Abbey grounds include the “Potent Plants” garden which exhibits the plants that feature in the novels of Agatha Christie. There are also huge glasshouses to explore and lawns that slope down to the seafront. The Abbey cafe has a some limited vegan options for a snack.
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. The cream tea tradition started in Devon, so your history tour can’t be complete without one!
You can take any treats you can’t eat in one sitting back to your room to nibble through the evening.
Day Six
After a leisurely breakfast, take a historic walking tour of Paignton. You can borrow the Heritage Society guidebooks from our library or book a knowledgeable member of the Society to act as a tour guide to visit Kirkham House, The Clink, and other medieval sites around the town.
After your tour, take a stroll along the seafront from The Miggi, past the Victorian Paignton Pier, to Harbour Light for banana blossom “fish” and chips. Built into the harbour wall, in the building where the UK’s first ever female “Harbour Master” worked, 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!
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).