#torquay

Shirley Towers, Torquay, 2025

A sunny street scene features people walking past colourful shops and cafés on the ground floor of older buildings. Modern blocks of flats rise in the background under a bright blue sky with scattered clouds. A silver car is parked near the pavement.

View of a coastal town with hillside buildings, including tall modern flats among trees, older houses below, a prominent brick wall in the foreground, and a marina with many boats on the right, under a partly cloudy sky.

Built 1963-6, designed by Alec C. French & Partners. Shirley Towers will be my drag name when I grow up.

Riviera International Centre, Torquay, 2025

A paved path leads to blue and green tennis courts, separated by fences. A large, modern building with Riviera Centre signage stands in the background, surrounded by trees. The sky is partly cloudy, and the foreground shows dry, patchy grass.

A large, modern concrete building labelled “RIVIERA CENTRE” has balconies and palm trees in front. Two parked cars and two people standing near a sign are visible. The sky is partly cloudy, and the area looks clean and well-maintained.

A modern, grey concrete leisure centre with large mirrored windows reflects the sky. A yellow Waves sign is on the upper wall. Bushes and palm trees surround the entrance. A paved path and grassy area with rocks are in front, under a partly cloudy sky.

A dense cluster of palm fronds grows in front of black metal garage doors set into a concrete building. The pavement consists of grey interlocking bricks. A red and white ‘No entry’ sign is mounted on the left side of the structure.

A grey, concrete building with RIVIERA CENTRE in bold letters at the top. A large circular window is above three blue doors. The lower facade features dark brickwork. Some plants and bicycle racks are visible near the pavement in the foreground.

Conference & leisure centre, designed by Module 2 and built 1984-87. For a gold star, spot the disinterested boyfriend.

Princess Theatre, Torquay, 2025

A large white building labelled “Princess Theatre” in blue letters. Several blue doors and vertical lines decorate the exterior. Palm trees and benches sit outside, with a hillside and overcast sky in the background. No people are present.

A modern glass-fronted building labelled Princess Theatre with large rounded windows, white trim, and ramp access. Posters are visible near the entrance. In the background, a Ferris wheel and hillside buildings can be seen under a cloudy sky.

Designed by F. T. W. Nixon & G. R. Todd Architects for Torquay Council, opening in 1961. As is so often the case, possibly more attractive from the back.

Shirley Towers, Torquay, 2025

Riviera International Centre, Torquay, 2025

Princess Theatre, Torquay, 2025

Staircases, Torquay, 2025