Planning a trip to Torquay

Getting There -- Frequent trains run throughout the day from London's Paddington Station to Torquay, whose station is at the town center on the seafront. The trip takes 2 1/2 hours. For rail information, call tel. 0845/7484950 or visit www.nationalrail.co.uk.

National Express coach links from London's Victoria Coach Station leave every 2 hours during the day for the 5-hour trip to Torquay. For information and schedules, call tel. 0871/781-81-81 or visit www.nationalexpress.com.

If you're driving from Exeter, head west on the A38, veering south at the junction with the A380.

Visitor Information -- The Tourist Information Centre is at Vaughan Parade (tel. 01803/2112111; www.englishriviera.co.uk); open June to September Monday to Saturday from 9:30am to 5:30pm and Sunday from 10am to 4pm, and October to May Monday to Saturday 9:30am to 5pm.