What is Paignton like?
Paignton is a medium-sized town and has the feel of
a traditional English seaside resort. Most of Paignton’s
attractions are easily accessible by foot or by the local
bus service. It is an ideal resort for both younger and
mature holidaymakers alike and is generally friendly
and very safe.

Torquay has that special continental flair with a real
Riviera café culture, glitzy marina, top attractions,
lively nightlife and specialist shopping.

Brixham is the smallest of Torbay’s three towns, and
is primarily a fishing village with many quaint buildings
and pretty vistas.

For more information click:
All you need to know about the English Riviera on one site
Around and about Torbay – centre of the English Riviera
Fascinating introduction to the history of Torbay: its historical sites and its famous people

Where is the school and is it easy to get around?
LAL Torbay is situated within a quiet residential area of Paignton, about 10 minutes walk from the town centre and 15 minutes walk from the main beaches.

Most students staying in host families either walk to school or take the bus. Students staying at any of our residences are never more than a 10 minutes walk to school.

What can I do with my free time?
A short 20 minute walk from the school is the well-equipped Torbay Leisure Centre. It is open to non-members every day from 09.00 and closes in the early evening (the times vary on each day). The Leisure Centre offers:

• Large swimming pool GBP 2.70
• Aerobic sessions GBP 3.55
• Table tennis (60 mins) GBP 3.10
• Squash courts (45 mins) GBP 5.60
• Badminton (60 mins) GBP 6.10
• Sunbed centre (6 minutes) GBP 5.40
• Equipment hire from GBP 1.00

Students gain automatic membership at discounted rates.

Students wishing to play tennis or golf will find that a short 15 minute walk will take them to Oldway Mansion (for Tennis) or a 10 minute walk for a pretty 9-hole pitch and putt course, both of which are open to the public and are very reasonably-priced. Golf courses are located at Churston and Torquay (both approx. 25 minutes by bus); students must have a handicap certificate to play on these courses.

Torbay houses a number of popular cinemas, the ground-breaking Living Coasts marine wildlife centre and fun attractions such as a ten-pin bowling alley and fun house.

What about shops and facilities?
Torbay has a wide variety of shops, cafes and restaurants and also offers major chains of supermarkets and major retailers.

There are many banks (with cash machines), a main post-office, and a library close to the school.

The main railway and bus stations are approximately a 10-minute walk from the school, and there is a taxi rank in front of the railway station.

Especially popular are the various tea-rooms where students often congregate and, of course, the parks, promenades and beaches.

What about eating out and the local nightlife?
There are many restaurants and cafes in Torbay, including Italian, Thai, Indian and Chinese restaurants.

The most popular with our students are the many pubs that offer traditional English bar-food at reasonable prices.

At night, Torbay’s seafront comes alive with illuminations and is perfect for an evening promenade. The opening of a multi-million pound multiplex cinema and the redevelopment of the Palace Theatre, together with the numerous bars and nightclubs, has provided an exciting mix of entertainment.

For more information click:
A site full of information for both - visitors and locals: News, restaurants, attractions and fun.