Princess Theatre

The Princess Theatre sits right on Torquay's seafront, a proper Edwardian beauty that's been pulling in audiences since 1912. Walking past the ornate facade feels a bit like stepping back in time - the gilt and red velvet interior is genuinely lovely, though you'll want to check what's on before you visit since the programme shifts constantly between theatre, musicals, comedy and tribute acts.

It's the sort of place that works best if you're keen on live performance rather than just looking for a pretty building to photograph. The venue holds around 1,400 people, so it's intimate enough to feel special but big enough to attract proper touring productions. Torquay locals clearly rate it - the atmosphere on performance nights is buzzy without being rammed.

If you're basing yourself at South Bay Holiday Park five miles down the coast, an evening here breaks up a beach-focused week nicely. Tickets run the usual range depending on what's showing, so budget accordingly. The seafront location means you can wander along the promenade before curtain up, grab a bite nearby, and not feel rushed. Summer tends to bring the biggest shows, though there's usually something worth catching year-round.

Realistic expectation: this isn't a destination attraction in itself. Come if something catches your eye on their calendar, not just because it exists. The real draw is that it's there when you need an evening out during a seaside holiday.