Editing Torquay (section)

{{Short description|Town in Devon, England}}
{{About|the English town}}
{{Use British English|date=October 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2017}}
{{Infobox UK place
| country = England
| official_name = Torquay
| population = 65,245
| population_ref = (2011)<ref name=CTP>{{cite web |date=3 July 2013 |title=Census 2011 - Torbay Profile |publisher=Torbay Council |page=4 |url=http://www.torbay.gov.uk/index/yourcouncil/factsfigures/censusprofile.doc |access-date=13 February 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222175922/http://www.torbay.gov.uk/index/yourcouncil/factsfigures/censusprofile.doc |archive-date=22 February 2014}} (Word document)</ref>
| coordinates = {{coord|50.47|-3.53|display=inline,title}}
| unitary_england = [[Torbay]]
| lieutenancy_england = [[Devon]]
| region = South West England
| constituency_westminster = [[Torbay (UK Parliament constituency)|Torbay]]
| post_town = TORQUAY
| postcode_district = TQ1, TQ2
| postcode_area = TQ
| dial_code = 01803
| os_grid_reference = SX915655
| static_image_name = Torquay harbour october 2012.jpg
| static_image_caption = View across Torquay Harbour
| type = Town
}}

'''Torquay''' ({{IPAc-en|t|ɔr|ˈ|k|iː}} {{respell|tor|KEE}}) is a seaside town in [[Devon]], England, part of the [[unitary authority|unitary authority area]] of [[Torbay]]. It lies {{convert|18|mi|km|0}} south of the county town of [[Exeter]] and {{convert|28|mi|km|0}} east-north-east of [[Plymouth]], on the north of [[Tor Bay]], adjoining the neighbouring town of [[Paignton]] on the west of the bay and across from the fishing port of [[Brixham]].  In 2011 the built-up area of Torquay had a population of 65,245.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Torquay (Torbay, South West England, United Kingdom) - Population Statistics, Charts, Map, Location, Weather and Web Information |url=https://www.citypopulation.de/en/uk/southwestengland/torbay/E63006890__torquay/ |access-date=2025-01-16 |website=www.citypopulation.de}}</ref>

The town's economy, like Brixham's, was initially based upon fishing and agriculture; however, in the early 19th century, it began to develop into a fashionable [[seaside resort]]. Later, as the town's fame spread, it was popular with [[Victorian era|Victorian]] society. Renowned for its mild climate (at least for England), the town earned the nickname the [[English Riviera]].

The writer [[Agatha Christie]] was born in the town and lived at [[Ashfield, Torquay|Ashfield]] in Torquay during her early years. There is an "Agatha Christie Mile", a tour with plaques dedicated to her life and work.<ref>{{cite web |title=Go on a mystery walk in beautiful Torquay |publisher=BBC |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/devon/outdoors/walks/agatha_walk.shtml |access-date=18 February 2010 |archive-date=2 March 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100302075230/http://www.bbc.co.uk/devon/outdoors/walks/agatha_walk.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref>

The poet [[Elizabeth Barrett Browning]] lived in the town from 1837 to 1841. This was on the recommendation of her doctor in an attempt to cure her of a disease; the disease is thought likely to have been tuberculosis. Her former home now forms part of the Regina Hotel in Vaughan Parade.