| Boys to the left of me, boys to the right of me, and such a lot to drink! It's Devon boy heaven down in Torquay says Out UK's man-overboard Adrian Gillan. | |
| Though it has the feel of a typical English seaside resort and with an image that won't ever completely shake off memories of Fawlty Towers, there's nothing retiring about Torquay, undoubtedly the heart and soul of the 'Gay English Riviera'. Its compact scene nestles between palm-clad hills and a harbour warmed by sub-tropical winds, wafting gay male mariners in from as far as Exeter and Plymouth. |
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The friendly and attitude-free Meadfoot Inn just above the harbour parade
is a good place to start the evening off with the local crew. Then coast down to
the harbour and soak up some of the salty seaside atmosphere until you're dizzy.
If you are the kind of person who likes to eat as well as drink and know your plaice from your cod, catch the freshest fish and shellfish dishes for miles around at Number 7 Fish Bistro down on the Inner Harbour. Then steady as she goes, and cast aloft up the winding hilly streets to the old-world Clipper Inn on Melville Street to sink a few more, before descending the steepest, narrowest, most winding stone steps you're ever likely to navigate between bars. CLUBBINGAt the foot of the steps - whoosh - you'll hit Rockies down on Rock Road, bubbling with young shiver-my-timbers and foaming cuties all adding to the swell, where it's anchors away again, however choppy. The venue, built down a cliff face somehow, is spread over more decks than you can probably count by now. There are floors looking down onto floors and when you can't go down any further and it all looks black, you're in a very dark room.Fancy a scene change one night? Club Ibiza back at the harbour parade lures a fairly mixed crew down its basement hatches, but local scene sailors account it's not as gay these days as of yore. BEACHESIn summer, drop your kegs and let it all hang out at Petit Tor, a nudist beach with men-only area just to the north of town. And there is year-round cruising along the paths above Meadfoot Beach, but watch out for the tides and dodge the cliffs.BED & BOARDWe can heartily recommend the Cliff House Hotel, allegedly the longest running exclusively gay lodgings in England. It has theatrically themed rooms, stonking breakfasts, a lounge bar and terrace and the celebrated Locker Room sauna complex. | |
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The garden gate leads to Meadfoot Beach, views of the East Shag and cliff
walks to Daddyhole Cove (we kid you not!), the harbour and gay life as only Torquay knows it. For a more relaxed atmosphere The Wilsbrook is an attractive, comfortable and friendly gay-owned and run mixed guest house close to the seafront, town centre and gay scene. As well as a warm welcome John & Lee offer free private parking, ensuite facilities, TV & tea/coffee facilities in every room, full English or Continental breakfast, guest lounge with digital TV & DVD facilities and a sun terrace. | 
The Wilsbrook. | |
MORE INFOAdrian travelled to Torquay in just over three hours by train from London Paddington with First Great Western.
THE LITTLE BLACK BOOK |
