Torquay Stag Do

Somebody once decided this bit of Devon coast should be called the English Riviera, and a Torquay stag do lets you test that claim. There are palm trees, a busy harbour and a long seafront, and on a sunny day it does a decent impression of the Med. On a rainy day it does a decent impression of Devon.

It’s a seaside town at heart, so the night out is cheerful rather than fancy. That suits most stag groups perfectly. Fawlty Towers was inspired by a Torquay hotel, so if the stag starts doing Basil impressions, you can’t say you weren’t warned.

The harbour and marina are the centre of things, with bars and pubs looking out over the boats. It’s a great spot for an early pint while the sun goes down.

When it’s time to head further in, Victoria Parade along the harbour and the streets around the Strand are where the bars are, and Torwood Street is home to the town’s main late clubs. It’s all close together, so the group can move on without needing a map.

Torquay’s nightlife is busiest in summer. Come out of season and some places will be quiet, so check what’s open on your dates.

Get on the water. Boat trips run across Torbay, and you can take the ferry over to Brixham, a working fishing port with pubs right on the harbour. A sea fishing trip is a laugh, especially when the loudest lad on the boat catches nothing.

The coast around Torbay is good for coasteering, scrambling along the rocks and jumping into the sea with a guide. I’d do it early in the weekend while everyone can still swim in a straight line.

If the weather turns, Kents Cavern, a prehistoric cave system in Torquay, runs guided tours underground. Agatha Christie was born in Torquay, so the bookish lad gets a fact to bore everyone with. Back on the seafront, a round of crazy golf is the perfect setting for the best man to cheat in public.

Dartmoor is also an easy drive away for hikes and outdoor activities.

Trains run to Torquay, usually via Exeter or Newton Abbot, with some direct services from London Paddington. By car, it’s down the M5 to Exeter and then towards Torbay.

Torquay works well as part of a wider Devon weekend. Exeter and Plymouth are both nearby, so take a look at our Exeter stag do page, or head further west and try a Newquay stag do for a full coastal blowout.

• No drinking in the street. Torbay has an order restricting drinking in public in Torquay town centre, and fines apply. Keep your drinks inside.
• Go in summer. A Torquay stag weekend is a seaside affair, so late spring to early autumn is the time to go.
• Weather back-up. Have an indoor plan in case it rains. The caves and the pubs both work.
• Fancy dress. Seaside towns love a stag in costume, but some bars may turn away big groups, so check before you go out.
• Bring ID. Doors in Torquay check, especially in the summer season.

I’d base the group near the harbour and marina. That’s the centre of things, with bars and pubs looking out over the boats, Victoria Parade runs along the harbour, and the ferry to Brixham is right there for a day out. Stay close and the walk to the first pint is about as long as the walk to the bathroom.

If the lads are planning on the late shift, look round the Strand or towards Torwood Street, which is home to the town’s main late clubs. It’s all close together, so wherever you land in that patch, nobody needs a map to get home.

Practical tip: go between late spring and early autumn, because Torquay goes quiet out of season and some places shut. If you’re coming by train, it’s usually via Exeter or Newton Abbot, with some direct services from Paddington, so check times before you book the arrival.

Friday Train in, drop the bags and head straight to the harbour for an early pint while the sun goes down over the marina. A wander along Victoria Parade after, then bed at a decent hour. You’ll want everyone fit for tomorrow morning.

Saturday Coasteering around Torbay first, scrambling along the rocks and jumping into the sea with a guide, while everyone can still swim in a straight line. If the group would rather stay dry, book paintball or go karting instead. Late afternoon, a round of crazy golf on the seafront so the best man can cheat in public. For the night, start at the bars and pubs over the boats, work through the Strand and finish in the clubs on Torwood Street. Bring ID, because doors check, keep your drinks inside, and if the whole group is in costume, check before heading out, as some bars turn away big groups.

Sunday Recovery by boat. Take the ferry over to Brixham, a working fishing port with pubs right on the harbour, and let the sea air do its work. If it’s raining, and this is Devon, swap it for a guided tour of Kents Cavern underground, which is dark and quiet and exactly what a hangover needs. Anyone still keen can drive out to Dartmoor for a hike before the trip home.