Brixham on the English Riviera for Seafood
Leading Chefs From Top Restaurants Know Where to Find the Best Fish
The County of Devon in England has long been synonymous with cream teas and a leisurely lifestyle. Now Brixham, the bustling little fishing town on the southern edge of this English Riviera, has moved on from cream teas to providing fresh seafood to some of the country’s leading chefs and restauranteurs.
Brixham Harbour, with one of the largest fishing fleets in the UK – over 100 trawlers and smaller day boats - is transforming its famous fish market. Currently the catch is landed and sold at the Fish Market on the quayside, but the multi-million pound transformation of the famous market will be able to offer improved access, a new tourist walkway, a restaurant, and new shopping facilities. The first floor walkway will be completed mid-2009.
Fishworks Restaurant
People who like their fish fresh and served well, will already know of FishWorks, the string of restaurants, cookery schools and fishmongers found in London and across the South of England. Now FishWorks, founded by Mitch Tonks in 1995 from one single fishmongers, is promoting the quality of catch from the waters of Brixham in their restaurants and will develop a restaurant and open a cookery school in the harbour. This should be completed in early 2010. FishWorks is an Award winning organization and it also provides a home delivery service of Brixham fish to people all around the country.
Brixham's Fishing Fleet
Brixham was the largest fishing port in the South West of England in the Middle Ages. It’s invention of the fishing trawler has influenced fishing fleets world-wide. At its peak, there were more than 300 of these elegant wooden boats in the fleet, in Brixham alone.
The six remaining trawlers that make-up the Brixham Heritage Fleet, made at the turn of the 19th century, are often berthed in the Marina at Brixham, where visitors can inspect them at close quarters. They share the harbour with a replica of Sir Francis Drake’s ship The Golden Hinde, a popular tourist attraction and focal point of the town.
Brixham's Annual Trawler Race
The Brixham Trawler Race was revived eleven years ago and is now an Annual event. The King’s Cup Heritage Race was first run in 1913 in honour of the King and raced for by professional fishermen until the Second World War.
Town, Harbour and Cliff-top Nature Reserve
The centre of this hilly town is built around the harbour area, which is also its lifeblood. Colourful, some would say vibrant, fishermen’s cottages line the harbour and gaze out across the port.
For walkers, some of the most stunning walks in the UK are right on the doorstep. Try the climb to the cliff-top nature reserve of Berry Head and be rewarded with astounding views across the emerald bay to Torquay.
