For over 150 years Brixham has been established as the largest fishery in England. Visitors (if they are early risers) can see the daily catch being unloaded, and the hustle and bustle of the busy port can be watched from a viewing platform.

Brixham has acquired the title of 'The Mother of Trawling' after perfecting the method of fishing that involves dragging the seabed with nets to catch deep lying fish. Today 40-50 Beam Trawlers enter and leave the harbour which in the 1800s saw a fleet of over 300 sail trawlers fishing out of Brixham.

A few of these Heritage Trawlers have been lovingly restored and represent the last of the wooden vessels to trawl under sail. Some can be seen with other historic vessels around the harbour.The Heritage Trawler Race in May is a great way to see the last of the Heritage Fleet under sail around the Bay.

Pilgrim (built 1895) is at present undergoing restoration work in dry dock. For more information about the project www.pilgrimofbrixham.co.uk

Vigilance(1926) from Easter Sunday offers public sailing trips on Sunday mornings and Tuesday evenings (max12 individuals), or can be chartered by groups for 3hrs trips and weekly cruises. Vigilance is also available for chartering and private events alongside the Brixham Heritage Pontoon. 

For bookings or enquires contact 07764-845353 or email sailing bookings through www.vigilanceofbrixham.co.uk

Leader (1892), Golden Vanity (1908) and Provident (1924) owned by Trinity Sailing Foundation,can also be chartered for private tours, contact 01803 883355 or for further information www.trinitysailing.co.uk

The Statue of Prince William of Orange, overlooking the harbour, commemorates the landing of the Prince in 1688 during 'The Bloodless Revolution', a short time before he was crowned King William III.

As well as its fantastic location, Berry Head National Nature Reserve has many attractions to captivate the visitor. The area is rich in natural history with protected Orchids and many other rare plants. Also the largest Guillemot colony in England nests on the cliffs at Berry Head, and can be viewed through strategically placed cameras. The caves below the cliffs are home to a colony of rare Greater Horseshoe Bats. During the Napoleonic Wars a large fort was built on the cliffs to prevent invasion from the sea and the well-preserved remains are one of the finest examples remaining in this country. The Guard House is now the Guard House Cafe. Finally, the Berry Head Lighthouse is both the smallest and the highest (at 200ft) in Britain. Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust manage this site and many other around the Bay and hold many events throughout the year.

www.countryside-trust.org.uk

On the other side of Brixham is Battery Gardens, so called because of the presence of the WW2 Coastal Defense Battery. Out of 116 batteries that were sited around our coast only 7 remain and because of its importance, English Heritage have recently made it a scheduled monument.

Brixham Battery Heritage Centre provides an educational facility with guided tours of the site.Contact-01803 856267.

There are two way-marked walks in Brixham, one of which  takes in Battery Gardens. Both walks offer stunning coastal views and the guides, available from the Tourist Information Centre, give lots of information about Brixham.

Brixham Heritage Museum is situated in the Old Police Station at Bolton Cross and records the town's proud history and association with the sea with displays on smuggling, the lifeboats, coastguards and much more. Tel 01803 856267 or visit: www.brixhamheritage.org.uk

All Saints Church first vicar The Revd. Henry Francis Lyte wrote the famous hymn and soccer anthem 'Abide With Me'. It is played every night at 8pm by the carillon installed in church in 1928.

There is a full-size replica of 'The Golden Hind' moored in the harbour. Here you can experience the conditions that Sir Francis Drake and his crew encountered during their epic circumnavigation of the World 1577-1580. Tel 01803 856223 or visit: www.goldenhind.co.uk