LAL Torbay - LAL Language Centres
Transcription
LAL Torbay - LAL Language Centres
The school | Host homes | Britain | Safety | Attractions | Eating out | Excursions | Transport Your complete guide to LAL Torbay and the English Riviera. Useful ation inform first ur from yo oing g day to home! LAL Torbay Conway Road PAIGNTON Devon TQ4 5LH United Kingdom Tel: + 44 (0)1803 558555 Fax: + 44 (0)1803 559606 E-mail torbay@lalschools.com w w w. l a l s cho o ls.co m Emergencies You can contact the school in an emergency 24 hours a day by telephoning + 44 (0) 1803 553062 To call the Fire Brigade, Police or Coast Guard, or for an Ambulance, dial 999 or 112 © LAL Torbay 2013. Produced by LAL Language Centres UK Limited, registered in England 1907876. The LAL Torbay Guide is for information only. The listing of services or attractions does not imply recommendation. Prices will be subject to change. We have made every effort to ensure that the Guide is accurate at the time of publication, but we cannot be responsible for any unintentional errors. 2 | The LAL Torbay Guide Contents Facilities at LAL Torbay...... 4 Reception.................................... 4 Adult Lounge............................... 4 Student Lounge........................... 5 Café LAL...................................... 5 Bookshop & Library...................... 5 Computers & Internet.................. 5 Message Board............................ 5 No Smoking................................. 5 Your Lessons....................... 6 Class times................................... 6 Lessons are compulsory................ 6 Academic Office.......................... 6 Students with visas...................... 6 Our teachers................................ 7 What to expect in your lessons..... 7 Error correction............................ 7 Changing classes......................... 8 Outside the classroom.................. 8 Complaints.................................. 9 Torbay Host Homes.......... 10 What to expect.......................... 10 Your room................................. 10 Welcome Thank you for choosing to study at LAL Torbay. We are here to ensure you have a safe, fun and educational stay and aim for you to achieve all of your learning goals and benefit from everything the region has to offer. We are here to help you, so if you have any questions or worries, please tell your teacher or any other member of our school staff. The LAL Torbay Guide has been designed to support you during your time with us and to help you enjoy this wonderful part of England. From activities, excursions and destinations, via a spot of history to the more practical subjects related to living in the UK from tipping to telephones, all of this information is inside. Enjoy England and have a great time at LAL Torbay. Michelle Ramos-Bailey General Manager LAL Torbay Electrical equipment................... 10 Lighting and heating.................. 11 Food.......................................... 11 Cleaning and laundry................. 11 Telephone.................................. 11 Living in Britain................ 12 Cultural background.................. 12 Good manners........................... 13 Queuing.................................... 13 Money....................................... 13 Weights & measures.................. 14 Communications........................ 14 Smoking, drinking, sex & drugs.. 15 Electricity................................... 15 Water........................................ 15 Current currency.............. 16 Coins......................................... 16 Bank notes................................. 17 Understanding the English.18 Health & welfare.............. 20 Feeling unwell?.......................... 20 Long-term conditions................. 20 Is treatment free?...................... 20 Sexual health............................. 20 Feeling unhappy?....................... 21 Safe and Sound................ 22 The police.................................. 22 Staying safe on the streets......... 23 Avoiding theft............................ 23 Public transport.......................... 24 Taxis........................................... 24 Safety in bars and clubs............. 24 Discover Torbay................ 26 History of the English Riviera...... 26 What the English Riviera offers... 26 Beaches..................................... 28 On the water............................. 28 Animals..................................... 29 History....................................... 29 Culture & entertainment............ 30 Nightlife..................................... 31 Excursions & tours........... 32 Visiting London................ 51 Public transport................ 52 Driving in Britain.............. 54 Going home...................... 56 Directory........................... 57 Eating out......................... 60 www.lalschools.com/torbay | 3 Facilities at LAL Torbay Reception The Reception desk is in the main entrance hall: Receiving Mail & Faxes If we receive mail, faxes or e-mail to students.tlc@lalgroup.com, it will be held at Reception and a note will be put on the Message Board at the bottom of the main stairs. Sending Mail & Faxes You can purchase postage and send mail at Reception. Reception will send faxes with a charge of 75p for each sheet. Photocopying Reception will copy noncopyright material for 10p for each A4 sheet. Telephone Cards You should buy a pre-paid telephone card if you want to call home from payphones or your host’s home. Cards cost £5 from Reception and allow you to make calls without putting money in a payphone or putting a charge on your host’s bill. 4 | The LAL Torbay Guide Souvenirs, Postcards & Stationery You can buy a range of LAL Torbay gifts, as well as postcards, pens and other stationery, from Reception. Lost Property Any items of personal belongings that are found at the school should be taken to Reception, and you should ask Reception if you have lost anything in the school. Adult Lounge The Adult Lounge is on the 5th floor, and is only for the use of Adult students. The lounge has comfortable armchairs, and a work area where you can catch up on your studies. Student Lounge The Student Lounge on the ground floor is available for all students to relax, watch television and meet friends. There is a pool table in the lounge, and a piano. Café LAL The school’s café, in the Student Lounge, is open from 07.30 until lunch and serves a range of hot and cold snacks and drinks, including hot meals. Bookshop & Library The Bookshop & Library, in the Internet Study on the 1st floor, have course books, dictionaries, reference books and reading books. We also have a wide range of listening material and worksheets; ask for details. Computers & Internet The Internet Study on the 1st floor has computers which you can use free of charge. We can recommend web sites to develop your English. The free wireless internet network called ‘LAL-Students’ can be used throughout the school by students with portable devices. Message Board Please make sure that you check the notice board marked ‘Messages’, at the bottom of the main stairs, every day. No Smoking Smoking is not permitted anywhere in the school building, including the porches and WCs. You may smoke in the garden, well away from the building. www.lalschools.com/torbay | 5 Your Lessons Class Times Your lesson times will be given to you on your first day, and will be different for each course. The current timetable is on display on the notice board at the bottom of the main stairs. Lessons are Compulsory You must come to all your lessons and you must arrive at the right time. If you do not come to all your lessons, we may have to report you to the UK Border Agency if you are missing from school. If you are ill, and cannot come to school, you must telephone LAL Torbay on (01803) 553062 to tell us that you will stay at home. If you are late for your lessons, you may not be able to join the class. Academic Office The Academic Office is in Room 1.01. You should visit the office if you have any questions about your course, if you would like to book extra lessons or would like to discuss exams. Students with visas to study in England If you have a student visa to visit Britain, LAL Torbay will check that you are complying with the terms of your visa. You must tell us where you will be if you will not be at school or your accommodation for 24 hours or more. If you do not, we will inform the government that you are missing. 6 | The LAL Torbay Guide Our Teachers Most of our teachers have the Cambridge University Certificate of English Language Teaching to Adults (or equivalent) and some also have the Diploma of English Language Teaching to Adults. They come from very different educational backgrounds and many have a wide range of experience and expertise. What to Expect in your Lessons We use an eclectic style of teaching in our classes. In the morning lessons, you and your classmates will use a course book, with which you will study grammar and vocabulary, as well as the four main skills of listening, reading, writing and speaking. The course book will also be supplemented by discussions, role-plays and other ways of increasing your active language. In the afternoon lessons we focus on communicative activities to improve your speaking skills and confidence. We often mix two levels in afternoon lessons. This adds authenticity to the tasks and activities. Error Correction It is important for you to feel comfortable and confident when using English. Our teachers are listening very carefully to everything you say in the lessons. Sometimes, when the focus is on accuracy, you will be corrected as you make the mistake. When the focus is on fluency, we will not interrupt you immediately but your teacher will be identifying problem areas and will correct at the end of the lesson or prepare future lessons to deal with the mistakes. We will not correct every error because this is not necessary. www.lalschools.com/torbay | 7 There are a number of methods of correction, but for you to benefit from them you need to ‘notice’ what other students and your teacher say. Changing Classes On your first day we test your vocabulary, grammar, communicative competence and writing skills and place you in a class based on these results. We aim to place you in a class which balances your need to improve your weakest areas without ignoring the areas in which you are strong. Your course will include level tests throughout the course book. The number of tests you take will depend on the length of your course. Your teacher will arrange for a move to a higher level when you are ready. We normally move students from one class to another on Mondays only. If you want to move class for any reason please speak to your teacher who will discuss this with you and the 8 | The LAL Torbay Guide Academic Managers. If you want to change level and we agree that you are ready to do this, you can change level without a formal test. However, if your teacher does not believe that you are ready to move to a higher level, you can only move up if you pass a comprehensive English test. If you do not pass the test, you will have to study for a month before trying again. In Business English classes, the minimum level requirement is Intermediate and levels may vary up to Advanced. Students are sometimes grouped according to their specific needs and/or experiences rather than the level reached during placement testing. Outside the classroom There are lots of things you can do after your lessons to improve your English. Keep a learning diary. Try to read and listen to native speakers as much as you can. Start a conversation with your Host Family - don’t wait for them to talk to you! Your Host Family will want to know about you, so spend a little time each day talking to them. Go to the cinema or watch television; just a few minutes each day will help you understand authentic English. Remember, you don’t need to understand every word, so just getting the general idea means that you have succeeded. Read the signs around the school and in the street. Use the pictures in magazines and newspapers to help you get the idea of the topic in the text. Borrow a reading book from the school library. We have books for all levels and for all interests. There are useful practice exercises to help you learn new words and work on grammar. Write a postcard, Skype or send an e-mail in English to an English-speaking friend at home. Try the games and practice exercises on the CD that comes with your course book and explore the many useful websites. Try not to spend all your free time talking to other students who speak your own language and try to speak English even if our staff speak your language too. All our staff – not just our teachers – will help you. Make the most of all these opportunities and your English will soon begin to improve. Complaints This is a summary of our policy: the full policy is on display in Reception. If you would like to give feedback or have any cause for complaint, please tell us immediately so that we can sort out any problems. You can speak to any member of staff; if they cannot help you themselves, they will tell you who you need to speak to. We promise to treat every complaint fairly and as quickly as possible. If you are not satisfied with our response, and wish to make a formal complaint, please see Reception. We will respond to formal complaints within 24 hours. If you are still not satisfied, you should write to the General Manager of LAL Torbay. www.lalschools.com/torbay | 9 Living in a Torbay Host Home We hope you find living with a local family fun and rewarding and that the Host Home we have carefully chosen will be a ‘home away from home’ during your stay. What to expect Your host home should be a place where you feel welcome. Your hosts should talk to you and treat you like one of the family. However, that means that you’ll need to act like one of the family too, and not expect the host home to be like an hotel. Your room You may be given a key to the house but you will probably not get a key for your room, because bedroom doors are not usually locked in England. In your bedroom you should have a comfortable bed, bedside light, desk and storage space. Ask for permission from your host if you wish to move any furniture, or put pictures or posters on the wall. 10 | The LAL Torbay Guide Please be very careful with things like hairspray, nail varnish, hairdryers, hair straighteners and cigarettes, as you would in your own home. If you break or damage anything, tell your host as soon as possible and pay for repairs. Electric equipment Please ask for permission before you use your own electrical equipment, and check that it is suitable for our electricity supply, which is 220-240V, 50Hz AC. You can buy socket adapters from Reception at LAL Torbay. Lighting and heating All host homes will have heating in the bedrooms, but it is unusual in Britain to use heating all night. If your bedroom is colder than you ve Help sa the d n a energy ent by m environ ff lights go switchin ers when t a and he r ve you le you a . room are used to, ask your host for extra blankets, or to turn up the heating. You must not leave gas or electric heaters on through the night or when you are out, or place anything on or near the heaters, as this may cause a fire. Electricity is expensive, so please switch off the lights when you leave the room. Food Cleaning and laundry Your host will keep your room clean, but you will need to keep the room tidy. Your host will change your sheets every week and, within reason, wash clothes for you. You will have to iron your own clothes. Telephone Please ask permission to use the telephone, and pay for all calls with a telephone card. Your host will provide breakfast and an evening meal. Tell your host in the morning if you do not want dinner. If you ting a ur Try star want extra food, with yo m sation r he t e v g n in o c please ask. If you by ask y il m e a want to keep your thes : Host F ns like io t s e u own food, ask q you hat are W ! to keep it in the g in morn day?” kitchen, not in “Good oing to d ay?” your room. like tod eather ur is the w was yo “What ! How k c a b I’m “Hello! day?” ...?” u enjoy “Did yo www.lalschools.com/torbay | 11 Living in Britain Some things are the same in Britain as in your country, but many things will be different from the way you live at home. You might find this exciting, or you might find it a bit frightening. We have adapted this information from English UK’s ‘Your Stay In Britain’ guide to help you fit in to our island. 12 | The LAL Torbay Guide Cultural background Political structure Torbay is in England, Britain and the UK. Confused? There are three countries in Great Britain: England, Scotland and Wales. Together with Northern Ireland, these countries make up the United Kingdom. Each has its own distinctive character and identity. The population, particularly in larger towns and cities, is very ‘multicultural’ - there are many foreign-born people seeking political refuge or better work and education. Queen Elizabeth II is the Head of State but all UK laws are made by the parliament. National obsessions Newspapers – particularly the popular ‘red top’ or ‘tabloid’ papers – are full of crime, celebrity gossip and scandals. This really does not offer a full picture of Britain. However, the media’s obsessions with soap operas, ‘reality’ television and sport, (particularly football) are shared by much of the population. And yes, we’re still obsessed with the weather. And tea. Good Manners “Manners make the world go round”, and really help you in Britain. Say ‘please’ if you want something and ‘thank you’ when you get it. If you want to interrupt someone, or walk past people, say ‘Excuse me!’. Students who stay for six months may be able to open a bank account; ask Welfare. Banks in Torbay are usually open 09.30-16.30 Monday to Friday, and a few open on Saturday mornings. Value Added Tax (VAT) It’s true that the British like to queue, and you must line up with everyone else if you are waiting for a bus or to be served. If you ‘queue-jump’ by pushing to the front of the line, you will appear rude and will be asked to go to the back. Money Britain’s currency is the Pound Sterling (£). Euros cannot be used in the UK. Credit and debit cards such as Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted, but American Express is often refused. You need your PIN code to use your card. The card may be refused if you don’t know your PIN, if you have not signed the back of the card or if the card is not in your own name. You should be able to get money from cash machines (ATMs). If you bump into someone, you must say ‘Sorry!’, or it may be interpreted as an attack. Queuing You can exchange money at any bank or Post Office, and some travel agencies have Bureau de Change desks. You will need your passport to change cash. VAT of 20% is included in the price of most goods: what you see on the price ticket is the price you will pay. If you spend £100+ in one shop, you may be able to claim tax back if you live outside the EU. Tips and service charges There are few rules for giving tips to staff in England: the main rule is that tips are not compulsory. www.lalschools.com/torbay | 13 Do not offer tips before you have been given a service. Never tip bar staff: offer them a drink instead. In restaurants, service is included in the price unless the menu says that a service charge will be added. If you want to leave a gratuity, give the tip in cash. 10% of the bill is sufficient. You don’t need to offer tips in selfservice shops and cafés. Weights & Measures As well as pints of beer, you may see the following: • • • • • • • • 1 mile (m) = 1760 yards ≈ 1.6km 1 yard (yd) = 3 feet ≈ 91cm 1 foot (ft or ') = 12 inches ≈ 30cm 1 inch (in or ") ≈ 2.5cm 1 pint (pt) ≈ 568ml 1 stone = 14 pounds ≈ 6.4kg 1 pound (lb) = 16 ounces ≈ 454g 1 ounce (oz) ≈ 28g Communications Post Individual stamps are sold in Post Offices, and books of six or 12 stamps are available at some other shops. Overseas mail must carry an ‘airmail’ label. If you need help, seek advice from the school, where you can also buy postage and send mail. The main Post Office in Torbay Rd, Paignton, is open 09.00-17.30 Monday Saturday. There is also a Post Office in St Michael’s Rd, 2 minutes from LAL. £5 Telephones. Don’t use your host family’s phone without permission. You must pay for all calls, including local ones. Calls are cheaper after 19.00 or at weekends. Numbers starting 080- are free; those starting 09- are very expensive. The dialling code for Torbay is 01803, or + 44 1803 if you use a foreign phone. For an international call, dial 00 then the country code, the area code (minus the first 0) and number. E.g. for Munich (089) 2525 2400 you would dial 00 49 89 2525 2400. To call abroad without using coins or putting a charge on your host’s bill: • To reverse the charges, dial the International Operator on 155. • Buy phone cards from the school’s Reception. Use these in domestic or public phones. • You can pay by credit card: call 0800 032 0023. Some payphones take coins (minimum 60p), others take cards. Internet access Steve Woods Some host homes will let you use their internet connection, and there’s a free network at LAL Torbay and at Hunters’ Lodge. You can use public services such as the Cloud, Fon and BT 14 | The LAL Torbay Guide Konstanty Paluchowski Bjarne Henning Kvaale Tijmen Van Dobbenburgh Chris Chidsey Smoking, Drinking, Sex & Drugs Be aware of these laws: • You must obey all ‘No Smoking’ signs. You cannot smoke in shops, pubs, clubs, bars or restaurants, nor on railway stations, on trains or buses or in taxis. This is the law! • You must be over 18 to buy tobacco or alcohol. • It is illegal to have sex with anyone under 16. • The use, possession, purchase or sale of cannabis or any other controlled drug is illegal. It is, unfortunately, quite common for British people to drink too much. Do not respond to drunk people who become angry. If women are more friendly than in your country, don’t assume this is an invitation to have sex. You can buy adaptors for UK 3-pin sockets from Reception at LAL Torbay. Do not use sockets or adaptors marked ‘Shavers Only’ for high-power items, because they will stop working – you cannot use hair driers in bathrooms, for example. British sockets often have switches to turn the electricity on and off. Water Tap water in Torbay is safe to drink. It has a low mineral content (we say it is ‘soft’) and fluoride is not added. It is very common for there to be separate hot and cold taps on washbasins. Bidets are very rare in Britain. Lavatory paper Please put used toilet paper in the WC, not in the dustbin or waste basket. Mario Alberto Magallanes Trejo Openzone, but don’t log in to private networks without permission: it’s illegal. Electricity The UK’s supply is 220-240V, 50Hz (cycles) AC. www.lalschools.com/torbay | 15 Current currency Britain still uses the pound, but you may find that your bank notes or coins are no longer valid if you were given them a long time ago. Please check your currency to make sure that it will be accepted. If you have out-of-date notes or coins, you may be able to change them at a bank. Coins One pound sterling (£) is divided into 100 pence (p). There are copper (brown) coins of 1p and 2p, silver coins of 5p, 10p, 20p and 50p, a gold £1 coin, and a gold-and-silver £2 coin. Current coins are shown below at the actual size. If your 5p, 10p and 50p coins are larger than these pictures, then they can’t be used any more. If you have been given coins by friends and family you should check that they are the same size as these: 2p 1p 5p 10p 50p 20p £2 £1 Coins may be of different designs, but are always the same colour and size as these examples: all the coins have the head of Queen Elizabeth II on the other side. 16 | The LAL Torbay Guide Bank Notes Bank notes are the £5 (blue), £10 (orange/brown), £20 (purple) and £50 (red). Most shops will not accept £50 notes, but you can change them in banks. Current notes are shown below: the pictures are (obviously) much smaller than real notes! If you have been given notes by friends and family you should check that they are like these: You can use pes both ty of £50 note. Other UK bank notes You may be offered different bank notes in pounds from Scotland or Northern Ireland: don’t accept them. While you should be able to change them at banks, not every shop will take them as payment. www.lalschools.com/torbay | 17 Steve Woods Understanding the English If you find that you don’t understand what people say or do, don’t worry: you are not alone. Here are some tips to help you understand us a little bit more. loo, cloakrooms, washroom, Language If it is hard to understand people, don’t assume you don’t understand English! public convenience, ladies, women, female, male, men, gents, gentlemen - or WC. Accents Do we mean ‘yes’ or ‘no’? Many words for one thing If we think that you won’t like the answer to a question, we may not answer directly. If you don’t understand if we mean ‘no’ or ‘yes’, just ask. Not many people speak in ‘BBC English’ and there are hundreds of different accents in Britain. Even the British find some of them hard to understand. Do not be afraid to ask people to repeat things or speak more slowly. Chips/fries/sautéed potatoes; lounge/sitting room/living room/drawing room: so many ways to say the same things. The ruder it is, the more options there will be. If you don’t understand something, ask if there’s another word for it! For example, if you need the WC, you might look for signs saying toilets, lavatory, 18 | The LAL Torbay Guide The English are usually fairly polite – count the number of times we say ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ when we buy things. This can make us hard to understand. Typically vague ‘no’ phrases: • I’m afraid not. • Probably not. • I don’t think so. • Not really. • I’m sorry but... • I’d like to help, but... • I’m afraid that... • I don’t think that I can... Saying one thing to mean the opposite If it’s raining, you may be told that it’s a lovely day. We are not trying to lie: this is supposed to be funny, and is an example of irony. This can be confusing, but it’s one of the most common forms of ‘humour’ in Britain. Behaviour English reserve The English in particular are often controlled in public behaviour and keep emotions private. For example, we do not hug and kiss a lot, and people do not usually talk to strangers. This is not the same as being cold or unfriendly: although we don’t display our emotions like in some other countries, we still feel the same, and we will be perfectly friendly when we get to know you. English excess By contrast, the British do some things to excess: after a few (or often a lot of) drinks we can become louder and ruder than almost anyone. Don’t copy us! Meeting new people When we meet new people we may not show much interest: don’t expect to find out names or be involved in conversations immediately. This is not a sign that we don’t like you. We seem to like to give people time to ‘settle in’ before asking questions and ‘confusing’ you with conversation. Fair play In general Britons obey the rules and have respect for the law, the police and other people. There is a belief in ‘fair play’ - making sure that everyone is treated properly and has equal rights and opportunities. Bribes are unacceptable, and offering more money to anyone to get what you want is unlikely to succeed. Don’t even think about offering money to policemen: you will be arrested. Disrespectful deference It is common to hear rude comments about politicians and the royal family and we have a long tradition of satire. Yet millions vote for the same politicians in elections, and bow when they see the Queen. You could say that the British just like to say one thing and do the opposite. Families If you stay with a host family, you may be surprised how little time English families spend together. English people love their parents and children - but like to have independence. No matter how strange you think the British are, don’t be shy: we’re all normal really! You won’t see many British flags in Britain: we love our country, but we don’t like to say so, unless it’s a very special occasion! www.lalschools.com/torbay | 19 Health & welfare We are all ill from time to time. Don’t panic! Our staff are here to help. We have people trained in first aid in the school, so please report any accident or illness to the Welfare Team. You can get quick advice and buy many medicines from the pharmacist at a chemist. If you need a doctor, Welfare will make an appointment for you, or you can call Devon Doctors out of hours (see page 58). There is often a charge of at least £35.00. This may be free if you have a European Health Entitlement Card, or if you have health insurance you can claim costs back (make sure you get receipts). Long-term conditions Let the Welfare Team know if you have a long-term condition, such as diabetes, so that we can help if you fall ill at school. • if you are a national of an EU country. • if your country has a full reciprocal health agreement with Britain. • if you have an infectious illness Anyone else will have to pay if they are admitted to a hospital bed or if they need to see a doctor. If you study with us for more than six months, you can register with a doctor and receive free treatment for illnesses which began after you arrived in England. However, you may be asked to pay for all or part of the cost of medicine. If you need to see a dentist you will have to pay the full cost as a private patient. Sexual Health Is treatment free? Contraception is widely available through chemists. Condoms are also available in supermarkets, many garages and from machines in the lavatories in pubs, clubs and bars. Other treatment in hospital under the National Health Service (NHS) is free: If you think you may have caught a sexually transmitted disease, a doctor will treat you in private and without charge. The only exception is HIV/AIDS: only diagnosis and emergency treatment is free. If you have an accident or fall suddenly ill, you will be given free accident and emergency treatment. 20 | The LAL Torbay Guide Paul Barker Feeling unwell? We’re here to help! If you have any problems, whether it’s to do with your health, your accommodation or even something at home, ask to see the Welfare team. These staff are here to help you in any way they can, and have plenty of experience in dealing with problems. The Welfare Team are on the ground floor. You can telephone us on + 44 (0)1803 553062. Feeling unhappy? British behaviour may seem very strange to your culture. At home you feel secure as you can easily interpret the things around you, but you may find things are very different here. Keeping an open mind is essential: expect to find differences, and don’t try to judge your experiences in Britain by the standards of your home country. Culture Shock If you were excited by coming to Britain, but you are now getting more nervous, don’t worry: it’s perfectly normal. You may go through lots of changes of mood and attitude before coming to terms with your new environment. Strange food, new routines, different travel arrangements and unfamiliar official procedures can be made worse by the deeper cultural differences in everyday life or language. Many people are initially very excited and positive about being somewhere new. However, as the reality of deeper cultural differences sinks in, this excited feeling wears away. You may start to miss friends, family and places as you begin to have doubts about yourself and your new environment. Do not worry. You will find that most British people are happy to help you if you have a problem or need some information. Language You may not understand spoken English no matter what level of proficiency you achieved in your country. Listening and speaking in English all the time will make you tired, so you may make more mistakes. Don’t feel frustrated or depressed if you cannot contribute to conversations as you can at home. Using a second language all day takes a lot of effort and may sometimes seem too intense an experience. These feelings are perfectly normal and things will improve as you get used to your situation. www.lalschools.com/torbay | 21 Safe and Sound Much of the advice that follows is common sense, but taking a few simple precautions will make you feel safer and help stop you becoming one of the unlucky few who may become a victim of crime. The UK is generally a safe country, and Torbay is one of the safest places to visit in the UK. However, just as in your own country, crimes do take place in Torbay. We want to make your time in Torbay as safe as possible. The vast majority of students who visit Torbay will not experience any form of crime. The Police Nick Winchester Britain’s police are friendly. They are here to help you as well as to look after you: feel free to speak to them and ask them questions. If you want to report a crime, tell a member of the LAL Torbay Welfare Team who can contact the police on your behalf. In an Emergency You can contact the school in an emergency 24 hours a day by telephoning +44 (0)1803 553062 22 | The LAL Torbay Guide You can call the Police, Fire Brigade, Coast Guard or an Ambulance by dialling 999 or 112 free of charge. If you feel afraid or are threatened when you are out, leave the place immediately. Never reply to threats or insults. If you think that someone is following you, cross the road, go to a public place, such as a shop or restaurant and either ask or telephone for help. Leave your d in rt locke passpo se in your itca your su ost home: it rh hotel o ery difficult v e b l wil it is lace it if . p e r to n le sto lost or Avoiding Theft Mark it! If you contact the police directly, please tell the Welfare Team. Look after your personal belongings. Make sure that anything valuable is marked with your name and address: it is unlikely that it will be stolen, but you might lose it! You can use an ‘invisible’ marker that can only be seen under special light - ask the Welfare Team. You can telephone the police on 101 (or + 44 1392 420320) for non-urgent enquiries. If you were told to register with the police when you arrived in the UK, ask the Welfare team to arrange for you to visit the local police station. There is a police station at South Street in Torquay. The police have translators who can speak your language. Record it! Write down the serial numbers of electronic devices, especially mobile telephones, to identify them if they are lost. You can register these items with LAL Torbay. Staying Safe on the Streets www.lalschools.com/torbay | 23 ije ch e nS It’s safer to walk with friends and not on your own. If you do have to walk on your own, avoid dark or empty places. Don’t listen to music while you are walking. It is a good idea to find safe routes during the day, rather than struggling with a map in the dark. Don’t leave anything valuable where it can be seen by other people. Don’t talk for a long time on a mobile telephone in public, for example. Make sure that you can see your coat, bag and other belongings all the time. Keep your keys in a pocket, not in a bag. If you have a portable computer or tablet, don’t use a bag which is obviously designed for computers, and be careful when you use it in public. Jea The biggest risk on the streets is traffic, not criminals. Remember that our cars are driven on the left of the road, and look both ways before you cross or step onto the road. Use a pedestrian crossing to cross the road if possible. n Hide it! licensed taxis! Licensed taxis must have signs like these on the car: Only use licensed taxis with plates like this on the car. Leave it at home! great, it is safer to travel on the bottom, near the driver. Carry at least enough change to make a telephone call (60p), but do not, under any circumstances, carry large amounts of cash. Taxis You must carry your Student Card with you, but you do not need to carry your passport in Britain. You should keep your passport and large amounts of money safely locked away. At the very least you should keep them locked in your suitcase. If you travel on your own in a taxi, sit behind the driver. Keep alert! Take care if you use a cash machine, both to make sure that your card or money is not stolen, and to make sure that your PIN (code number) is not copied. Never write down your PIN. Public Transport Try not to wait on your own at bus stops. Check the time of the last bus or train. If you travel late at night, try to get friends to meet you at the bus stop or station and walk home with you. Taxis which have a notice on the back which shows the licence from the council may be considered safe; taxis with no license plate are dangerous. Safety in Bars and Clubs There is an increasing risk of drinks being ‘spiked’ with drugs in bars and clubs. Do not accept drinks from strangers, and do not let your drinks out of your sight. If you feel unusually unwell or ‘strange’ after a drink, get help from a friend or a senior member of the bar staff immediately. Rodrigo Reis Although the view from the top of double-deck buses is 24 | The LAL Torbay Guide Discover Torbay and the south-west of England Where to go, what to see and how to get there: turn the page to begin your journey of discovery www.lalschools.com/torbay | 25 Discover Torbay Torbay is full of great places to see and great places to go. A popular tourist resort since Victorian times, the bay’s three towns each have their own character and attract different people. History of the English Riviera The Torbay area first gained a reputation as a destination for relaxation in the late 18th century. Its ‘romantic’ location and fantastic weather conditions were praised by families of sailors stationed in the bay. It was the Victorians, however, that coined the phrase the ‘English Riviera’, likening the area to the south of France. Torbay has a warm, sunny climate, and sub-tropical plants such as the famous Torbay Palm add to the Mediterranean feel, as do the luxury boats and open-air cafes and bars. The sea has always been the focus of the towns and these days the busy waterfronts are full of working boats and pleasure craft, while the coast is ideal for swimming and water sports. 26 | The LAL Torbay Guide What the English Riviera has to offer. The three Riviera towns of Torquay, Paignton and Brixham surround the natural, sheltered Bay which forms an ideal suntrap with many Blue Flag beaches. Each town lends its own individual character to a holiday, so whether it is for a relaxing break enjoying local food, an action-packed visit out on the waves, or a funfilled family trip, the English Riviera offers something for everyone. The three towns have a combined population of approximately 130,000 and the resort attracts 1.5 million visitors every year. Torquay is the main town of Torbay. It has a sophisticated charm with white villas, superb coastal scenery and excellent beaches, such as Oddicombe and Meadfoot. Well-kept gardens sit alongside new developments ERTC Brixham is a picturesque fishing town at the southern end of Torbay. Life here revolves around the busy harbour, where fish are unloaded and pleasure boats make tours of the coast. There are stalls selling freshly-caught seafood, and restaurants and pubs serving fresh fish cooked in traditional recipes. Paignton has colourful gardens, pretty coastal ERTC such as Fleet Walk and the Riviera International Centre. Many visitors enjoy walking around Torquay soaking up the atmosphere. It’s also the best town for shopping. From top Torquay Harbour; typical beach huts; the Pavilion. lights and plenty of special activities. The town has a long seafront with a popular pier, an old harbour, a water park, great beaches and a steam railway. In summer the wide-open area known as Paignton Green holds events, including funfairs and firework www.lalschools.com/torbay | 27 Clockwise from top: Breakwater beach; Splashdown water park; penguins at Living Coasts displays. Paignton has a lively centre with interesting shops and nightlife. Most shops can be found by walking along Winner Street, through Palace Avenue, along Victoria Street and down Torbay Road to the seafront - the closer you are to the sea, the more touristorientated are the shops! Beaches Torbay has 22 miles of coast with stunning beaches. Four beaches at Oddicombe (Torquay), Meadfoot (Torquay), Broadsands (Paignton) and Breakwater Beach (Brixham) received the European Blue Flag award for excellent facilities and water quality in 2012. Most beaches are safe for swimming and have cafés and lavatories. You can hire deckchairs, pedaloes and kayaks at the more popular beaches. The largest beach in Paignton is the long, sandy 28 | The LAL Torbay Guide beach next to the town centre. The beach is next to Paignton Green and has lots of kiosks and cafes by the beach and amusements on the pier. You can hire deckchairs and pedaloes on the beach. Right below Hunters’ Lodge residence, Goodrington Sands is a popular beach for families, with the Seashore Centre, Splashdown at Quaywest Waterpark, Youngs Park and Inn on the Quay all right behind the beach. There are lots of rock pools at low tide. In Torquay, Oddicombe Beach is famous for the cliff railway, which descends 73m to the beach. On the Water If you prefer to get out on the water rather than relax on the beach, Ski West at Goodrington offers waterskiing and wakeboarding. There are also lots of sightseeing and fishing trips available from the harbours Splashdown at Quaywest, in Paignton, has eight water slides, from a terrifying 20m plunge on the Devil’s Drop, to relaxing ring- and matslides. There are swimming pools at Torbay Leisure Centre in Paignton and the Riviera Centre in Torquay. Animals Natural history enthusiasts should visit Paignton Zoo and Living Coasts. Paignton Zoo is one of the largest in Britain, and houses over 250 species of creatures. You can walk with penguins at Living Coasts, the zoo’s sister attraction in Torquay, which focuses on coastal animals, plants and birds. History Torbay has historic sites stretching back thousands of years. Kents Cavern, in Torquay, was home to humans between 30,000 and 40,000 years ago. It is a fascinating place, and offers Harry McCord at Torquay Paignton & Brixham, including ‘Round Robin’ circular trips by bus, steam train and boat. From top: Paignton Zoo; Torquay Harbour. tours of the extensive caves every day. Also in Torquay is Torre Abbey, which is the largest art gallery in Devon, re-opening in July 2013. Babbacombe Model Village is more modern, but has entertained visitors for several decades. Between Torquay and Paignton lies Cockington village. It has a historic forge, picture-postcard cottages, horse and carriage rides, a court and church, tea rooms, thatched pub, and walks through lakes and woods to Cockington Court. Paignton was once home to the Singer family, of sewing-machine fame, who built Oldway Mansion. You www.lalschools.com/torbay | 29 Culture & Entertainment ERTC Torbay has two main cinemas, the Apollo next to the beach in Paignton and the Central Cinema in the centre of Torquay. can enjoy the gardens and tea room, but the house is being converted to a hotel. There are also tennis courts and a croquet lawn. Much smaller is Kirkham House, a mediaeval survival just off Cecil Road in Paignton. Brixham harbour is home to a replica of the ship in which Sir Francis Drake sailed round the world in the 1570s, the Golden Hind. On the coast outside Brixham lies Berry Head, the site of a major fort built to defend Torbay from Napoleon. It is now a national nature reserve. You can follow in Hercule Poirot’s footsteps by taking the Steam Railway from Paignton Queen’s Park (next to the National Rail Station) to Kingswear. Steam trains run from April to October. 30 | The LAL Torbay Guide The bay has five theatres: The Babbacombe Theatre in Torquay specialises in variety shows. The Little Theatre in Torquay is an old church and hosts a wide range of plays and concerts from the local amateur dramatic society. The Princess Theatre, on Torquay’s seafront, is the largest theatre in Torbay and offers a year-long programme of professional large-scale productions. From West End musicals to concerts and a full summer season, the Princess offers something for everyone. Here in Paignton, the Palace Theatre, in Palace Avenue, offers a range of locally-produced shows and concerts. The Brixham Theatre is open occasionally for a range of performances. ERTC Nightlife Torbay has plenty of clubs and bars with entertainment in the evenings. Torquay is the centre of Torbay’s nightlife, but Paignton has several venues geared towards live music and family entertainment. The harbourside in Torquay is the main focus for clubs and has plenty of cafés with outside seating. Mambo is a popular and lively night spot with three different zones: the ground floor features live music, the first floor specialises in popular tunes and the top floor hosts R&B and Hip Hop. You can also find R&B and Dance DJs at the Bohemia Nightclub. Torquay’s biggest night club is The Venue which, like Bed Bar, offers middle of the road music to a young audience. Green Ginger is a modern bar with a dance floor, while the Hole in the Wall, in Park Lane, regularly offers traditional live music in a pub bar and the Apple and Parrot also has live music. Opposite: Oldway Mansion. above: English Riviera Cocktail at Mambo, the Inn on the Green Nearby in Belgrave Road is Club Rainbow, which offers singers, groups and discos. Candyfloss, above Meadfoot beach in Rock Road, is a gay club. Paignton’s main venues are its lively bars and pubs. The Spinning Wheel on Esplanade Road is a very popular pub with live music every evening and acts for all ages. The nearby Inn on the Green and the Isaac Merrit pub, on Torquay Road, offer a wide selection of local beers in a warm friendly environment. If you want to party, Torbay Road is the place to be, with bars and clubs offering a lively insight into English nightlife. www.lalschools.com/torbay | 31 Excursions & Tours Torbay is lucky to have the coast on one side and stunning countryside on the other. For centuries, life in the Westcountry revolved around fishing and farming, and the lasting remains are picturesque villages and towns clinging to the coast or nestling in valleys. But it’s not all rural idyll: the south west also has major towns and cities which are full of things to see and do, as well as world-class attractions, both ancient and modern. Devon has a thousand miles of road crammed into the county, but the roads are often very narrow and, although urban areas have good bus networks and are 32 | The LAL Torbay Guide well connected by trains and coaches, away from the towns public transport is often poor. That’s why LAL Torbay has a great range of excursions to help you see as much of the area as possible during your stay here. Each week a new programme sets out the options for the next seven days, with tours ranging from historic houses to local pubs. Excursions start at £10, and can be booked at the dedicated counter in the main Reception. Book as early as possible to avoid disappointment in busy periods! A Cathedral B Wildlife C Castle E Church F Farm G Gardens H Historic house K Cave L Landscape M Live music O Prehistoric site k Roman site P Pub Q Good food S Shopping T Café U Local crafts i Industrial site V Views W Walk w Guided walk b Site of battle f Beach j Funfair m Museum s Historic railway u Other attraction v Vineyard z Literary connection Above: Dartmouth. Top right: Bath. Below: Battlefield live. The following pages contain a useful guide to the places we visit regularly on our excursions programmes. Bath and Wells Full Day kASzwT After this you will have time to explore the city, to visit any attractions you may want to, or spend some time shopping. In Wells your guide will take you to the beautiful cathedral and tell you about this unique city. Battlefield Live This is a trip to the famous Roman city of Bath, stopping on the way at England’s smallest city, Wells. In Bath you will go on a tour of the city. During this time your guide will show you some of the wonderful and well-preserved attractions this city has to offer. Half Day u This great infra red paintballstyle game is 2 hours of fun and games set over a brilliant and authentic three acre battlefield. It is similar to paintball but without any of the pain. You will have a full briefing before you start www.lalschools.com/torbay | 33 Simon Gray Destination Bristol ERTC Top: Brunel’s suspension bridge at Bristol. Above left: Bays Beer. Above right: Birmingham. have the chance to sample a couple of the drinks Bays has to offer. and each 10 – 20 minute game will be explained and supervised by very experienced marshals. Birmingham Overalls are provided to keep you from getting muddy, but make sure you wear full length trousers and flat shoes. Bays Brewery Half Day P Bays have become one of the most celebrated breweries in Devon for their distinctive ales and traditional ciders. On this tour you will see everything that goes into the production of these fine products, and you will also 34 | The LAL Torbay Guide Full Day wST Birmingham is generally regarded as England’s second city and as such has a rich and diverse history. During our visit we will focus on the history that made Birmingham the thriving city it is today, from the businesses that shaped the city to the current times which has seen Birmingham nominated as a city of culture for 2013. After a tour with your guide you will have some time to explore the city. Left: Brixham. Below: Totnes. Bottom: Coast at Tintagel. Bristol Visit the largest city in the west of England. Bristol is a modern and vibrant city with an interesting history. Your guide will take you on a tour of the city showing you the many attractions and the history this city has. It will also include time for you to explore the city and modern shopping centres. Brixham Maniple Full Day wST Boscastle and Tintagel Full Day LCwVT Take a trip to one of the most beautiful and rugged parts of North Cornwall’s Atlantic coastline. Your day will start with a visit to Boscastle, where you can explore this picturesque village and maybe visit the Witchcraft Museum. Half Day LBWST Visit Brixham, the smallest town in Torbay, along with a stop off at the natural beauty of Berry Head Country Park and Nature Reserve. At Berry Head your guide will walk you around the cliff top showing you some breathtaking views of Torbay. Brixham is a picturesque port, famous for its fish market and harbour, and is a popular destination within Torbay. During your visit your guide will tell you about the history of Brixham as well as what happens there today. Then, as long as the weather allows, your guide will give you the option of a 2-3 hour walk along the coast path to Tintagel. For people who would prefer a shorter walk, your guide will drive you back to Rocky Valley, half way between Tintagel and Boscastle, where you can join the coast path. At Tintagel you hear all about the legend of King Arthur and will have a chance to visit the ruins of the castle down by the sea, the Old Post Office or the wonderful Great Halls. www.lalschools.com/torbay | 35 ERTC Castle Drogo Half Day Cw Top: Cardiff. Above: part of Castle Drogo. Cardiff Full Day ACLSw On our way to Cardiff, the capital city of Wales, you will cross over the River Severn and enjoy some spectacular views down the Bristol Channel. Your guide will first take you on a tour of the historic City, after which there will be time in the city centre to explore the various attractions and shopping areas that Cardiff has to offer. The centre of the city houses its main attractions, including the famous and well preserved St David’s Castle and, unusually, some very historic loos. 36 | The LAL Torbay Guide Visit the last castle to be built in England. Castle Drogo has the appearance of a mediaeval fortress but because it was built between 1910 and 1920 has the modern comforts of a 20th century property. Travel through time as you explore the castle, from the Norman-themed library, to the ‘Georgian’ drawing room complete with intricate Venetian chandeliers. Look out for the electric table cloth in the Jacobean-styled dining room. Castles of South Devon Half Day CwH Visit three of the best known castles in South Devon. First we visit the ruined castle at Berry Pomeroy. It is set in beautiful woodlands but beware: it is the most haunted castle in England! After this we will go to the ruins of Totnes castle, which Left: Dartmouth Castle Below: coast near Torbay. Bottom: Cockington village. stands high above the town as a mighty legacy to the power of the Norman era. The third castle in this tour will be the magnificent 600year old Dartmouth Castle. It was built on the bank of the river Dart in the perfect position to defend the wealthy merchant port. At each stop you will hear about the history of these unique castles. Coast Drive Half Day LfBTV Take a drive along the beautiful South Devon coastline. First we go through Torquay to the popular Victorian seaside town of Teignmouth where you will have time to take a look around this traditional British holiday destination. We then move further along the coast to the town of Dawlish, famous for being Sir Winston Churchill’s regular and favourite holiday retreat and for the black swans that live freely on the river that runs through the town to the sea. Cockington and Torquay Half Day UTGS First we visit the village of Cockington, a unique village with traditional thatched cottages, tearooms and the old blacksmith’s shop. Your guide will take you around the beautiful gardens, set in the grounds of the Great Hall, where you will be shown the wonderful array of trees and plants along with the fishing lakes and wildlife. After this there will be time to visit the Hall itself, which now houses craft shops, glass and basket making displays, a rose garden and various exhibitions. We will then move on to Torquay town and harbour for a chance to explore the town. www.lalschools.com/torbay | 37 Coleton Fishacre House and Gardens Dartington Hall and Highcross House A short drive will bring us to the National Trust property of Coleton Fishacre. The elegant art deco interior and spectacular gardens include a wide range of rare and exotic plants. Dartington is a beautiful estate just outside Totnes. It was originally built as a medieval playground, but in the 1970s Dartington became famous for glass and pottery which is still collected throughout the world. As well as the Hall and gardens, there are a selection of shops. You will be given a tour of the house followed by a walk through the gardens with your Guide. This will be followed by a visit to Highcross House, which was at the forefront of 1930s design. Half Day HGT It was designed in 1925 for Rupert and Lady Dorothy D’Oyly Carte. Half Day HGSU Dartmoor National Park Dartmoor is a wild area of Devon which is famous for its landscape and heritage. Heather-covered moor, treefilled valleys, waterfalls, a patchwork of fields and huge rock tors surround market towns and villages. Nearly half of Dartmoor’s 368 square miles (942 square km) is open moorland, home to a unique breed of horse, the Dartmoor Pony. There are more archaeological sites, including standing stones, ancient settlements and tombs, than anywhere else in northern Europe. You can also find more modern features hidden under rocks in the form of ‘letterboxes’, which have visitors’ books to sign and stamps to collect. LAL runs tours all year round. Please wear stout, comfortable shoes for these tours. Dartmoor Half Day LVzW Take a trip to Dartmoor National Park and sample its tors, history, culture & legends. We will also visit the picturesque village of Widecombe in the Moor and the grave of Kitty Jay. Dartmoor by Dusk Evening (Summer only) LWVP This evening drive to Dartmoor will give you a different perspective of the National Park. Your Guide will take you on a drive on to the moor and then head up to Hay Tor, where we will park the bus and take a walk. We will then finish with a visit to traditional pub. 38 | The LAL Torbay Guide Top: Dartington Hall. Bottom: ferry to Dartmouth. Dartmouth Half Day GCSVT A scenic drive brings us to the beautiful town of Dartmouth at the estuary of the River Dart. Your guide will take you on a tour of the town showing you Bayard’s Cove, the Butterwalk and the Royal Avenue Gardens. After some time to explore, you will meet your guide to cross the river to Kingswear by ferry. Dartmoor Highlights Extended Half Day LAOVUW On this extended visit to Dartmoor National Park the places you visit will include Princetown, which is the largest town on the moor and also home to the notorious Dartmoor Prison, Buckfast Abbey, one of England’s finest Benedictine abbeys and situated right on the edge of the moor, and the famous clapper bridge, Dartmeet, where the East and West Dart rivers join. There will also be time to eat out at a traditional Dartmoor pub. www.lalschools.com/torbay | 39 British seaside town of Seaton, with its beach, shops and miniature Tramway. Eden Project Full Day GBV Visit one of Britain’s top attractions the Eden Project. The huge ‘biomes’ are effectively Britain’s largest greenhouses with plants from all over the world, including huge rainforest trees in a tropical environment. It also features crops, landscapes and wild plants which reflect the amazing diversity of our planet. From the top: the Eden Project; ancient and modern in Exeter. East Devon Half Day LfTV Our first port of call will be the award-winning Darts Farm, suppliers of some of England’s finest home produced food, wines, ciders, liqueurs & local products. A short drive through the beautiful Axe Valley then brings us into the typically 40 | The LAL Torbay Guide Exeter Half Day ASCT This beautiful city is steeped in history that dates back to the Roman times, when it became the furthest Roman settlement in the west of England. It has one of the finest cathedrals in England, which was begun in the 11th Century and completed in the 16th Century. The city has some of England’s finest Tudor From the top: The beach at Seaton; spring flowers in Greenway Gardens; fossil hunters flock to the Jurassic Coast. Makio Kusahara Architecture. Your Guide will take you on an historic walk around the centre pointing out highlights such as Sir Francis Drake’s favourite Inn, the old Guildhall and Court House and Rougemont Castle. After a tour with your guide, there will be time to sample the large variety of shops in the city centre. Karolina Przybysz Greenway Gardens Half Day Gz A short but scenic drive down to the edge of the River Dart will bring us to the magnificent former home of crime writer, Agatha Christie. The house is open to view and your guide will take you for a leisurely stroll around the extensive garden. Jurassic Coast Half Day LVf This tour includes the trip along the Jurassic coast to the historic town of Lyme Regis. On this tour you will have some amazing photographic opportunities while viewing the spectacular scenery that the area has to offer. When you arrive at Lyme Regis your guide will tell you about the links to Thomas Hardy and other pillars of the English literary past. You will also have the chance to visit Lyme Bay winery, where they make many traditional fruit wines and ciders as well as many other locally produced products. www.lalschools.com/torbay | 41 ERTC Jazz Night Evening PM See Pub Tours Kents Cavern with a taste of Devon Take a fascinating tour of the oldest caves in Europe and one of Torbay’s top visitor attractions. The tour of the caves will be fully escorted by one of Kent’s Cavern’s professional Guides. You will see the natural formations of the caves as well as many items that have been discovered over years of excavation. These include human and animal skulls dating as far back as the last ice age, and a 450,000 year old flint hand axe. After the tour there will be time to look around their visitors’ centre and then try a traditional cream tea in the Red Rock Café. ERTC Half Day KT Land’s End and St Ives Full Day LfVW On this full day tour you will travel down to the far west of England to Land’s End. During the journey your guide will tell you about the people and culture of England’s most beautiful county. On the way we will visit Marazion to see St Michael’s Mount and perhaps walk out to it if the tide is out. The next stop will be Sennen Cove for its stunning views and, if the weather allows it, a coastal walk from here to Land’s End. Kents Cavern Ghost Tour Land’s End, the most westerly point of both Cornwall and England, has spectacular views and interesting local attractions. This fascinating evening tour will be an experience you will not forget. Dare you enter the caves at night and experience the Kents Cavern Ghost Show? This is scary and not recommended for the fainthearted or people of a nervous disposition! The final stop is at the picturesque town of St Ives on the Atlantic Coast. This is famous for its slate roof houses, the Tate Gallery and artists who work around the harbour, enjoying the special quality of the town’s daylight. Evening Ku 42 | The LAL Torbay Guide Living Coasts Half Day B Living coast is the seaside conservation side of Paignton Zoo. They have one of the largest breeding colonies of penguins in the UK and operate a fun and educational approach to conservation. You will find out about the lifestyles of the animals and have the chance to interact with the penguins as they are cared for in an open environment. Looe and Polperro Full Day LfVW Taking in the stunning south Cornish coast, this tour will take you over the River Tamar from Devon into Top left: Kents Cavern. Bottom Left: Living Coasts. Top right: St Ives. Above: Polperro. Cornwall and then along the coastal town of Looe. Here you will have a chance to explore the narrow streets, visit the fishing port, and maybe enjoy the sandy beach or a stroll along the river Looe. The town also boasts many good restaurants, pubs and cafes to enjoy some local food and drink including the famous Cornish Pasties. We will then take a short drive along the coast to the old fishing port of Polperro. Here you will be able to enjoy the peaceful surroundings of this beautiful village. www.lalschools.com/torbay | 43 ERTC Left, from top: Lost Gardens of Heligan; Nature boat cruise. Top right: Radcliffe Camera at Oxford. Right: Paignton Zoo. Lost Gardens of Heligan and Mevagissey Full Day GBV Visit one of the most popular botanical gardens in the UK. Here you have a guided tour around these unique gardens, which were rediscovered in 1990. After this there will be a short stop in the typical Cornish fishing village of Mevagissey. Mystery Pub Tour Evening P See Pub Tours Nature Boat Cruise Evening BfV The nature boat cruise offers a unique insight into the wildlife and geology of the beautiful coastline of Torbay. 44 | The LAL Torbay Guide The tour starts from Paignton harbour where you will be introduced to your experienced captain as he takes you on this exciting and informative voyage. Your captain will try and show you the varied wildlife on offer including dolphins and seals. The boat offers a fully stocked bar and a friendly and relaxed atmosphere to enjoy the tour while watching the beautiful scenery float by. Oxford Full Day Aw Oxford is known worldwide for its university; this is the oldest one in the English speaking world. The city benefits from having one of the most diverse education opportunities in the country. Because of this the area has a unique feel, with things happening at every turn. The history on offer has to be seen to be believed. Alan Rainbow ERTC / Ray Wiltshire Our tour of the city begins with Oxford Castle, which has been everything from a place of power, a prison, up to the modern day when it is a museum and restaurant complex. Your guide will explain the importance of the city throughout the centuries and how it developed into the educational centre it is today. From here you will be taken through the narrow walkways of the old city where you will learn about the diverse learning opportunities the city has to offer, while soaking in the glorious old architecture of the area. You will learn the extraordinary history of the Bodleian library and how it links back to Devon and the town of Totnes. After the tour you will have time to explore and experience the many varied cafes and restaurants, as well as the incredible range of independent shops that Oxford has to offer. Paignton Zoo Half Day B Paignton Zoo is the third largest zoo in the UK and as such offers a unique view into the conservation efforts to protect many endangered species. This tour includes the admission to the zoo and you will be able to explore the wide and varied range of animals that the zoo has to offer. www.lalschools.com/torbay | 45 Pub Tours The pub is a great British institution. Pubs started life when the Romans arrived, and spread until nearly every town and village had its own alehouse. Pubs are not just places for drinking; they are often at the very heart of communities as social centres where people can get together to relax. Whole families will go to pubs for a meal and a drink, and friends will often meet up in pubs for a chat or game of darts. A good pub will have plenty of traditional British drinks such as hand-pumped pints of real ale and local cider, served in a lively bar with a friendly atmosphere and a blazing log fire. Jazz Night drink, while getting to know the other students. The Jazz night provides a unique experience, not only for those lovers of Jazz but also to those who wish to soak in the atmosphere of a very quirky environment. From here we head to The Crown and Sceptre, one of the most celebrated pubs for traditional jazz music and its wide range of award winning beer. You will be given a warm welcome by the experienced staff who are on hand to explain the beer on offer. Evening PM The tour includes two pubs. The first is hidden along the South-Devon coast and offers a range of traditional ales, beers, and ciders many of which are brewed in the local area. This is a lovely place to start your night as it offers a very relaxed atmosphere and gives you the chance to unwind with a 46 | The LAL Torbay Guide Every week the bands change but you can always be sure that they will be of a high calibre and will make you appreciate the art of the jazz musician even more. Country Pub Tour suggestions to help you find your choice of tipple. The country pub tour is a fantastic way to explore the countryside while enjoying the atmosphere of a traditional English pub. From here our next destination is the wonderful Churston Court, this traditional manor house became a coaching inn during the 19th century and has been entertaining and enthralling guests ever since. Evening P On our tour, we will take you to two very different pubs. Our guide will join you every step of the way regaling you with stories and tales from the ancient history of the establishments you will visit and provide you with the knowledge to choose the right drink for you. The tour will take you deep into the Devon countryside, where you will arrive at your first pub in the beautiful village of Stoke Gabriel. At this location our guide will take you into the mediaeval graveyard that is situated very close to the first pub, where you will be told stories of the history, superstitions and folklore surrounding the area. It is now time to sample the delights of locally produced ales and ciders; our guide is on hand to provide advice and Mystery Pub Tour Evening P The mystery pub tour is a wonderful experience and one that changes each time you take it, because the only person who knows where you will be going is our guide. It could be anything from sipping beer while looking over the River Dart of maybe a visit to a Traditional cider bar. Our guide will try and provide you with a night of fun and will tailor the experience to the needs and desires of the students. www.lalschools.com/torbay | 47 Above: Smeaton’s Tower - the old Eddystone LIghthouse - at Plymouth. Right: Stonehenge. Plymouth Half Day wST In Plymouth your guide will start a tour in the Barbican and old Sutton Harbour area where you will get a taste of a time when Plymouth was one of the largest and most important sea ports in England. Included in this we will show you where the first European settlers of America finally set sail on their epic journey across the sea in 1620. We will then continue around to Plymouth Hoe where we can enjoy some splendid views across Plymouth Sound and out to sea. Your guide will tell you about Sir Frances Drake’s epic battle with the Spanish in 1588. After this there will be time in the city centre for shopping or to explore more attractions. 48 | The LAL Torbay Guide South Hams Half Day LVf We will start by taking a short journey to Kingswear, where we cross the River Dart by ferry taking us from Torbay into Dartmouth and the South Hams. We then head along the coast to one of England’s finest beaches at Blackpool Sands. After this we continue further along the picturesque coastline to reach Slapton Sands, one of the largest training sites for British and allied troops in preparation for the historical D-Day Landings that took place in June 1944. Stonehenge and Salisbury Full Day OAS Visit one of Great Britain’s most famous landmarks set in the heart of the Wiltshire countryside and now a World Heritage Site. Described as one of the wonders of the world it is believed to have been constructed between 2400 SXC/ chappy14 Top: Salisbury. Middle: South Hams. Bottom: Slapton. and 2200 BC. To this day it is still interesting and mysterious. It has been said that the stones contain many kinds of mythical and magic powers that have attracted many people and religious sects over the years. We will travel to the city of Salisbury in Wiltshire. Here your guide will point out many of this beautiful and picturesque city’s landmarks including the famous Cathedral. www.lalschools.com/torbay | 49 Alan Mort Top: Totnes. Above: Wookey Hole. Totnes Half Day CEwSTQ Totnes is a unique town steeped in history. It has remains of Norman and Saxon settlements and legend says that it was the site where the first people arrived in Britain. In more recent history Totnes became one of the first ‘alternative’ communities in the country. Modern Totnes is at the forefront of ‘new age’ therapy and as such is a focal point for those who wish to live a slightly alternative way of life. Your guide will take you on a tour of the town to show you the historical landmarks and then give you time to explore this interesting town. 50 | The LAL Torbay Guide Wookey Hole and Weston-Super-Mare Full Day Kfj Wookey Hole has some of Britain’s most spectacular caves and is the home of the infamous Witch of Wookey. The earliest men lived in this valley 50,000 years ago, hunting bear and rhinoceros with stone weapons. At Wookey Hole you can wander through the prehistoric Valley of the Dinosaurs featuring King Kong and relax in the magical fairy garden. The 19th Century Paper Mill has a variety of attractions including a Victorian Penny Arcade, Magical Mirror Maze, Hall of Crazy Mirrors and the Cave Museum Then a stop off at Westonsuper-Mare, one of Britain’s most traditional seaside resorts, famous for a huge beach and donkey rides. Visiting London We don’t offer excursions to London, but if you want to visit England’s capital, it’s easy to travel to London from Torbay. By coach National Express coaches run direct to London Victoria coach station, and the journey takes about six hours. There are several services every day. One of the most popular is service 404 which leaves Paignton at about midnight and arrives in London at about 06.30, then returns from London at about 23.00 and arrives in Paignton at about 05.00. If you want to spend only one day in London, this can be booked as a day return for about £32. Book at the Transfers counter at LAL Torbay. By train visit London Images Trains to London usually require one change of train, but still take only about 3½ hours. However, the services are not ideal for day trips. The earliest First Great Western service will get to London no earlier than 10.00 on Saturdays and the last train leaves London at around 18.00. Book at the railway station, and book as far in advance as possible in order to get cheap fares starting from £25 return. www.lalschools.com/torbay | 51 Stagecoach Public transport Want to get out and about on your own? No problem: Torbay is fortunate to have a good local bus network and convenient links to the rest of Britain. Local Buses Getting around Torbay is easy thanks to a good bus network. Buses are run throughout Torbay by Stagecoach, with a network that stretches from Brixham to Babbacombe. To stop a bus at a bus stop, you must hold out your hand to signal to the driver. You can buy tickets for each journey from the bus driver. You can pay in cash, and you will be given change if necessary, but it helps if you give the driver coins rather than notes. The fare will get more expensive the further you travel. Remember to You can buy a pre-paid bus ticket from Stagecoach. These tickets last one, two or three weeks and allow unlimited journeys within Torbay. You can buy these tickets at LAL Torbay. 52 | The LAL Torbay Guide push the ‘STOP’ or ‘PRESS’ button on the bus when you reach your bus stop. Some services are also provided by the First bus company. You can buy tickets from the driver, including day and weekly tickets. Note that First’s tickets cannot be used on Stagecoach buses, nor Stagecoach tickets on First’s buses! Longer Local Journeys Some of Stagecoach’s buses run to towns outside Torbay, including Kingswear (for Dartmouth), Totnes and Exeter. There are also services run by First to Plymouth via Totnes. Services outside big towns can be limited, however, and you should plan your journey carefully before you set out. You can check journeys at www.transportdirect.info. Long-distance Coaches Buses which run on long routes with only a few stops are called ‘coaches’. National Express run long-distance coaches from Paignton and Torquay. For example, there are several coaches direct to London every day. If you are staying in Britain for a while, and you are under 27 or a long-stay student, you may like to purchase a Young Persons Coachcard. This costs £10 and gives you 30% off coach fares. You can buy National Express tickets and coachcards at LAL Torbay from the Transfers counter. Trains Britain’s rail network is one of the fastest ways to get around. Trains can be more expensive than coaches, but there can be very cheap tickets if you book in advance, and tickets to go and return on the same day are often very good value. Tickets are complicated: return tickets are almost never the same price as two single tickets. There are time and day restrictions on all but the most expensive tickets. You don’t pay more for fast trains, nor need to reserve a seat on any service - but it can be cheaper if you do. If you don’t reserve a seat, you may have to stand. You can get information at the railway station and at www.nationalrail.co.uk. The prices at the station are the same as on the internet. Taxis Only use licenced taxis which have official signs on the back (see the bottom of the page). Traditional taxis, or ‘Hackney Carriages’ have a ‘TAXI’ light on the roof and can be hired in the street. The charge is shown on a meter in the cab and varies with the length of the journey, number of passengers and luggage. Private Hire taxis (‘minicabs’) do not have a ‘TAXI’ lamp, but have the telephone number of the company on the side or windscreen. Private hire taxis must be pre-booked; they cannot be hired by stopping them on the street. The charge will be metered unless you agree a fare before the journey. LAL Torbay uses Torbay Taxis: (01803) 211611 Make sure you only use licensed taxis! Licensed taxis must have signs like these on the car: Only use licensed taxis with plates like this on the car. www.lalschools.com/torbay | 53 Driving in Britain Seat belts If you have brought your own car or want to hire a car in Torbay, you must keep to the law and be prepared for some odd features on our roads. Be aware that the roads in Devon can be very narrow, and parking is often difficult and expensive in towns and cities. You MUST wear a seat belt in vehicles. Drink-driving The legal alcohol limit is 80mg alcohol in 100ml blood. If you drive while over this limit, you can be sent to prison, fined £5,000 and banned from driving. That’s if you don’t kill yourself first. DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE. You must have an appropriate driving licence to drive in Britain. If you come from EU or European Economic Area countries, you can drive any vehicle which is permitted by your licence AND which is shown on your licence. country, your licence or g orders permit must be valid for at Mobile telephones You MUST NOT use a mobile telephone while you drive. Miles, not metres All road signs give distances in miles (m) and yards (yds) and speeds in miles per hour. (mph). If you are from any other 12 months from the es areleast mostly prohibitive. date you arrive in Britain. qualify message. Youtheir can drive on a foreign licence for up to 12 months, and cannot drive any vehicle with more than 8 seats. 1 mile = 1.6km (so 50 mph is about 80km/h). 1 yard is about 1 metre. Speed limits This sign means that the Rules of the road Britain’s roads are governed by the Highway Code, and you should buy a Maximum copy from any bookshop speed if you intend to drive in Britain. You can read a End of summary on the internet at mph zone www.gov.uk/highway-code. The following are important points to note: Keep left National ‘nationalspeed speed limit’School applies crossing to theapplies road. limit patrol The National Speed Limits for cars, unless signs say otherwise, are as follows: •30 mph (48km/h) in towns and villages •60 mph (96km/h) on other Britain drives on the LEFT. single-carriage roads This also means that you •70 mph (112 km/h) on must only overtake on the roads with two or more right, and go clockwise () e way to Manually operated temporary No entry for lanes in BOTH directions affic on round roundabouts. STOP and GO signs vehicular traffic (dual carriageways and jor road motorways) 54 | The LAL Torbay Guide Accidents If you have an accident, you must report it to the Police and give your details to any other drivers involved in the accident. Stop! You MUST stop at Zebra pedestrian crossings (which have black-and-white stripes on the road and flashing orange lamps on striped posts) if pedestrians are crossing or waiting to cross. Breakdown If you break down, there are two main organisations who can help. Both will charge you to join their organisation if your car is not already covered by their insurance: •The AA; 0800 887 766 •The RAC; 0800 197 7815 If you break down on a motorway or dual carriageway, signs on white posts at the side of the road will point you to an orange You must also stop for red emergency ‘SOS’ telephone. orParking amber traffic lights, or if king Use this telephone to help lights are flashing where the No stopping during No stopping No stopping during the emergency ted to restricted to No stopping during services to road crosses a railway line. period indicated permit holders period indicated holders times shown times sho find you. except for busesexcept for as except long for a Parking except for buses necessar as necessary as to set down or pick down up or pi passengers passeng aiting No waiting No stopping No stopping (Clearway) (Clearway) Road signs are colour-coded: These signs and/or yellow lines by the side of the mean youred must not circles but no border mostly give ut no road red border mostly give park there. Britain’s parking tion. attendants and traffic wardens are well-known for being ruthless in applying fines - and chasing them up even overseas. Most parking places in Torbay, including parking spaces at the side of the Turn leftroad ahead leftKeep left Keep Vehicles left ad Turn may Vehicles and left car parks,Turn are ‘Pay symbol (right if symbol (right if symbol pass eit ol(right if and (right if symbol (right if symbol pass either Display’ - you must buy reversed) reversed) reversed) reversed) reversed) side to reach side to re a ticket from a machine same when you park and leave same the ticket in your car so destination destinat it is visible through the windscreen. Remember that some car parks are locked at night! Route toSegregated be Segregated Minimum speed Minimum speed End of minimum www.lalschools.com/torbay | 55 End of min speed alused by pedal pedal cycle pedal cycle speed Going Home All good things must come to an end, and one day you will have to say goodbye to LAL Torbay and return home. have the wrong flight details for your journey, it is usually not possible to change your departure time. The departures list Our transfers service will make arrangements for your journey from your pick-up point in Torbay to the airport of your departure. This may be by minibus, coach, taxi or National Express coach or a combination of these. If we arrange a transfer including a journey by National Express, you must collect a ticket from the Transfers counter. You are responsible for your own flight tickets, passport and luggage, and for checking yourself in at the airport. If you have booked an airport transfer, we will put your name on a list of departure times on the Messages notice board at the bottom of the main stairs on Tuesday in the week before you depart. We will also send a letter to your host if you are staying in a host family, or leave a note for you on the Messages board if you are staying in a hotel or residence. The departures list and letters/notes will show the time and place of departure, and tell you if you need to pick up a ticket. The departures list also shows your flight details. Departure times We aim for you to reach your departure airport no later than two hours before your flight’s departure. However, in most cases you will be travelling to the airport with other students, and we cannot always get you to the airport exactly two hours before your flight. We regret that, unless we 56 | The LAL Torbay Guide Don’t need your transfer? If we say that we have arranged a transfer for you, but you don’t need it, tell us so that we can take you off our passenger lists. We regret that refunds are not given for transfers that have been booked but are not required, nor can we alter Standard Transfers to any day other than Sunday. Not on the list? If you are not on the transfers list, or we show the wrong flight details for you, please see the Transfers Department as soon as possible so that we can check your arrangements. Directory There is so much in Torbay that we can’t tell you where everything is - but we hope that this list of attractions and services is useful. Grid references for the LAL map are shown next to the names of the businesses. Telephone numbers preceded by ‘T.’ are on the + 44 (0)1803 dialling code. Asian Foods Chemists Siam Thai & Asian Shop (D9) Lloyd’s Pharmacy (E10) Banks Sarson’s (E10) Winner St, Paignton. T 540200 Barclays Bank (E10) Palace Avenue, Paignton. Lloyds Bank (E10) Palace Avenue, Paignton Halifax (E9) 30 Torquay Road, Paignton HSBC (E9) 7 Palace Avenue, Paignton NatWest (E9) 15 Victoria Street, Paignton Santander (E9) 50 Victoria Street, Paignton Beauty Salon Natural Beauty (E9) 23 Torquay Road, Paignton. T. 525279 Bicycle Hire Colin Lewis Cycle Hire (E9) 17 Dartmouth Road (by bus station), Paignton. T. 553095 Torbay Bike Hire (E9) 11 Palace Avenue, Paignton. T. 559446 Torquay Road, Paignton. T. 559015 Boots the Chemist (E10) Winner Street, Paignton. T. 558196 Victoria Street, Paignton. T. 559180 Crossways Pharmacy (E9) Crossways Shopping Centre, Paignton. T. 555235 Churches Paignton Parish Church (E9) Church Street, Paignton. T. 551866 Services: Sunday Matins 07.30, Holy Communion 08.00, Family Communion 09.30, Alternative Service (Eucharist with contemporary music) 11.00, Evening Service: 18.00; MondayFriday Matins 08.30; Daily Evensong 17.00; Holy Communion daily at varying times. Paignton Baptist Church (D10) Winner Street, Paignton. T. 520453 Service Sunday 09.30 Tuesday evening prayer meeting 19.30 T. 520453 Paignton Pier. T. 391385 Christ Church (E9) Bowling Torquay Rd, Paignton. T. 552872 Services Sunday 09.00, 10.30 AMF Bowling (H7) Palace Avenue Methodists (D10) Car Hire Catholic Sacred Heart of Jesus & St. Theresa (E9) See Page 31 for discount voucher Torwood Street, Torquay. T. 0844 8263034 Riviera Car Centre (E8) 391 Torquay Rd, Paignton. T. 523328 Chief Vehicle Rentals (E9) Paignton Railway Station, Paignton. T. 663838 www.chiefrentals.com Practical Car Rental (E9) 232-236 Torquay Rd, Paignton. T. 664155 Palace Avenue, Paignton. T. 555694 Service Sunday 10.30 Cecil Road, Paignton. T. 557518 Mass Saturday 19.00 & Sunday 08.30 & 10.30 Jehovah’s Witnesses (D9) Kingdom Hall, Colley End Rd, Paignton. T. 559354. Services Sunday 10:00am, Thurs 19.00 www.lalschools.com/torbay | 57 Living Waters Pentecostal (E9) 358 Torquay Rd, Paignton. T. 552538 Services Sunday 10.30 & 18.00 Greek Orthodox Church (G6) St. Elfriedes Road, Torquay. (01752) 215503 Service 1st Sunday of month 09.30 Salvation Army (E9) Princes Street, Paignton. T. 527044/559582 Service Sunday 10.00 & 15.00 Torbay Family Church (Assemblies of God) (F6) Burridge Road, Torquay. T. 607659 Services Sunday 10.30 & 18.00, Tues 20.00 Torbay Islamic Centre (F6) Greenway Ferry & Pleasure Cruises Torquay/Brixham to Greenway & day trips. www.greenwayferry.co.uk T. 832811 Doctors Ask the Welfare Team to book an appointment with a Doctor. Corner Place Surgery (E10) 46 Dartmouth Rd, Paignton. T. 557458 Grosvenor Road Surgery (E10) 17 Grosvenor Rd, Paignton. T. 559308 Devon Doctors (Evenings & Weekends) 130 Avenue Rd, Torquay. T. 211818 Friday Meeting 13.30 0845 671 0270 Torbay Hebrew Congregation 0845 46 47 T. 607197 Cinemas & Theatres Apollo Cinema (E10) Esplanade Road, Paignton. 0871 220 6000 Central Cinema (G6) 27-29 Abbey Rd, Torquay. T. 380001 Babbacombe Theatre (I5) Babbacombe Downs, Torquay. T. 328385 NHS Direct Dry Cleaners Ultra Dry Cleaners (E9) 26 Church Street, Paignton T. 550919 Golf Clubs at Churston & Torquay, plus driving range in Paignton. See Activities Dept for details. Historic Attractions Babbacombe Cliff Railway (H5) Little Theatre (H7) St. Marks Rd, Torquay. T. 299330 Open daily in school summer holidays Babbacombe Downs Rd, Torquay. T. 328750 Princess Theatre (G7) Babbacombe Model Village (H5) Torbay Road, Torquay 0844 871 3023 Hampton Avenue, Torquay. T. 315315 Palace Theatre (D10) Torre Abbey (G7) Palace Avenue, Paignton. T. 665800 Brixham Theatre (H14) New Road, Brixham. T. 850899 (From July 2013) The King’s Drive, Torquay. T. 293593 Kents Cavern (J6) Cruises and Boat Trips 89/91 Ilsham Road, Torquay. T. 215136 Ashley’s Fishing Trips (E10) Cockington, Torquay. T. 607230 April to October Paignton Harbour, Paignton. 07767 622727 Paignton Pleasure Cruises (E10) Daily in summer Paignton Harbour, Paignton. 07768 014174 Dartmouth River Boats (E10) Round-Robin trips by boat/train/bus T. 555872 www.dartmouthrailriver. co.uk 58 | The LAL Torbay Guide Cockington (E7) Oldway Mansion Gardens (E9) Open Monday to Friday Torquay Road, Paignton. T. 201201 Kirkham House (E9) Sundays in July & August. Kirkham St, off Cecil Rd, Paignton. T. 522775 Dartmouth Steam Railway (E10) Daily June-September. Most days in April, May and October. Queen’s Park Station, Paignton. T. 555872 Internet Cafés Candyfloss Nightclub (H7) Rock Cottage, Rock Road, Torquay. T. 292279 Studio Internet Lounge (G6) Lucius Street, Torquay. T. 297294 Bohemia (H7) Launderette 41 Torwood St, Torquay. T. 292079 Paignton Washeteria (D10) The Venue (H7) The Washing Well (D9) Cafe Mambo (H7) Library Post Offices Winner Street, Paignton. T. 522565 13 Torwood St, Torquay. T. 403350 Foxhole Road, Paignton. T. 552617 Strand, Torquay T. 291112 Paignton Library (E10) Post letters and parcels from Reception at LAL! Great Western Road, Paignton. T. 208321 Leisure Centres & Swimming Pools St Michael’s Post Office (D10) Torbay Leisure Centre (E11) Torquay Road, Paignton. 28 St Michael’s Road, Paignton Paignton Crown Post Office (E9) Penwill Way, Clennon Valley, Paignton. T. 522240 Riviera International Centre (G6) Chestnut Avenue, Torquay. T. 299992 Nature Paignton Zoo (D10) Totnes Road, Paignton. T. 697500 Living Coasts (H9) Beacon Quay, Torquay. T. 202470 Seashore Centre (E11) Open school holidays only Tanners Road, Goodrington, Paignton. T. 528841 Night Clubs & Bars Winstons (E9) Supermarkets Co-operative (D10) Palace Avenue, Paignton. Tesco (E9) Dartmouth Road, Paignton Lidl (E9) Parkside Road, Paignton Taxis Torbay Taxis (E9) Derby Road, Paignton. T. 211611 Tourist Information Torquay TIC (H7) Vaughan Road, Paignton. T. 296296 Victoria Street, Paignton. T. 553944 Transport Henry’s Bar (E10) Transport Direct Torbay Road, Paignton. T. 551190 Grand Central (E10) Torbay Road, Paignton. T. 555151 The Factory (E10) Torbay Road, Paignton. T. 557740 Spinning Wheel Inn (E9) Esplanade Road, Paignton. T. 555000 Inn On The Green (E9) Esplanade Road, Paignton. T. 557841 The Isaac Merritt (E9) 54–58 Torquay Road, Paignton. T. 556066 Talk of the Town (E9) Torquay Road, Paignton. T 668070 National journey planner www.transportdirect.info Traveline National public transport information 0871 200 2233 Stagecoach Bus www.stagecoachbus.com/devon T. 664500 National Rail Enquiries www.nationalrail.co.uk 08457 48 49 50 (foreign mobiles +44 20 7278 5240) First Great Western trains www.gwt.co.uk 08457 000 125 (foreign mobiles +44 1752 835705) www.lalschools.com/torbay | 59 Buy bus passes and book National Express coach tickets at LAL Torbay! National Express coaches www.nationalexpress.com 08717 81 81 81 (or book at LAL Torbay) Travel Agents with currency exchange Thomas Cook (E9) 77 Hyde Road, Paignton. T. 529376 First Choice (E9) 28 Victoria Street, Paignton. T. 665000 Bureau de Change also at St Michael’s Post Office (D10) 28 St Michael’s Road, Paignton Watersports Splashdown at Quaywest Water Park (E11) Open end of May-September daily Goodrington Sands, Paignton. T. 555550 Ski West (E11) April - October. Telephone for details. Near Quaywest Water Park, Goodrington Sands, Paignton. T. 663243 Divers Down (H7) Scuba Diving training and dives. 139 Babbacombe Road, Torquay and from Torquay Harbour. T. 327111 Eating Out Torbay has many excellent places to eat, from fast-food snack bars and take-aways to Michelin-starred restaurants. Take your pick from our guide. This list is only a selection of restaurants in Torbay, and should not be taken as a recommendation. Prices may change, and we cannot be responsible for any unintentional errors in this list. American Chic-o-land (D10) 62 Palace Avenue, Paignton. T. 554400 M Tu W Th F Sa Su, L, D Hooks Bar & Grill (H7) 43 Torwood Street, TORQUAY, T. 203 203 M Tu W Th F Sa Su, L D, £18 Tiger Bill’s (H7) 3 Victoria Parade, Torquay. T. 203703 M Tu W Th F Sa Su, L, D, £13 British Lily’s Restaurant & Tea Room (E9) 9 Torquay Road, PAIGNTON, T. 557 527 M Tu W Th F Sa Su, B L, The Boathouse (E9) Marine Drive, Preston Beach, PAIGNTON, T. 665 066 M Tu W Th F Sa Su, B L D, £15 Shoreline (E9) Eastern Esplanade, Paignton, T. 556 943 M Tu W Th F Sa Su, L D, £12 t nd wha Can’t fi ? d e you ne at LAL eption Ask Rec ’ll be happy We the Torbay. t you in to poin ection! ir d right 60 | The LAL Torbay Guide The Palm Tree (E9) 41 Hyde Road, Paignton. T. 521035 M Tu W Th F Sa Su, BL, D £16 The Prince William (J14) Brixham Marina, Berry Head Road, Brixham, T. 854 468 M Tu W Th F Sa Su, L D, £10 What the listings mean: The Restaurant (A1) 3-4 Gastronome Terrace, TORQUAY, T. 100 000 Tu W Th F Sa, D £35 Michelin * Days open Awards B = Breakfast L = Lunch D = Dinner Grid reference on LAL map Typical cost of 2 courses Serves alcohol Accepts credit cards Take away Telephone dialling code ‘T.’ is + 44 (0)1803 Service Charges Service is included in the price in most restaurants. Leaving extra money for the staff (tips) is common, but not compulsory. Do not ‘tip’ bar staff in pubs; you may offer them a drink instead. The Mermaid (E9) Yum Sing (H7) TJ’s (E10) Honeymoon Restaurant (E9) 18 Esplanade Road, Paignton, T. 355 543 M Tu W Th F Sa Su, L D, £10 44 Cliff Rd, Paignton Harbour, Paignton, T. 527389 M Tu W Th F Sa Su, B L D, £12 Shiraz (H7) 2 Vaughan Parade, TORQUAY, T. 200 201 M Tu W Th F Sa Su, B L D, £10 Orchid (G7) Corbyn Head Hotel, Seafront, Torquay, T. 296 366 Tu W Th F S, L D, £32.50 AA 3 Rosettes Old Torwood Road, Torquay, T. 293 314 M Tu W Th F Sa Su, D, £15 Free drink on arrival for LAL students 31 Church Street Paignton. T. 393999 M Tu W Th F Sa Su, D £11 Indian Ganges (E9) 33 Hyde Road, Paignton, T. 551007 M Tu W Th F Sa Su, D, £10 Dada (E9) 4A Parkside Road, Paignton, T. 522 529 M Tu W Th F Sa Su, D, £9 Premier Cru (G4) Indian Ocean (D10) Chinese Maha-Bharat (H7) 31 Ilsham Road, Wellswood, Torquay, T. 213141 M Tu W Th F Sa, L D, £22.50 77 Winner Street, PAIGNTON, T. 528 005 M Tu W Th F Sa Su, L D 33 Hyde Rd, Paignton, T. 552220 Tu W Th F Sa Su, L D, £14 All-you-can-eat buffet dinner £14. 52 Torwood St, Torquay, T. 215 541 M Tu W Th F Sa Su, D, £12 British Curry Award 2007. 10% discount on table meals for LAL Students China Blue Takeaway (G6) Curry Ocean (H7) Dragon Pearl (E9) 30 Tor Hill Rd, Torquay, T. 293 288 M Tu W Th F Sa Su, L D, £10.50 12 Victoria Parade, Harbourside, Torquay, T. 292 851 M Tu W Th F Sa Su, L D, £10 10% discount to LAL students www.lalschools.com/torbay | 61 www.lalschools.com/torbay 61 Tharik’s Indian Restaurant (F8) 379A Torquay Road, Paignton, T. 664 116 M Tu W Th F Sa Su, D, £13 Italian Amici (H7) 29 Torwood Street, Torquay, T. 201770 M Tu W Th F Sa Su, D, £15 Bianco’s (H7) 38 Torwood Street, Torquay, T. 293 430 M Tu W Th F Sa Su, D, £20 Buon Appetito Restaurant (G6) 171 Higher Union Street, Torquay, T. 296 321 Th F Sa Su, D, £10 Student party menu: drink, 12” pizza and ice cream £8 La Scala (E10) 28 Queen’s Road, Paignton, T 521832 M Tu W Th F Sa Su, L, D. Live music every Thursday. Pizza Express (H7) 16 Strand, TORQUAY, T. 211 525 M Tu W Th F Sa Su, L D, £13, Prezzo (H7) 1 Vaughan Parade, Torquay, T. 389 525 M Tu W Th F Sa Su, L D, £14 2 take-away pizzas for the price of 1 Modern Hennessey (H7) 41 Torwood St, Torquay, T 290900 Tu W Th F Sa Su, D, £20 The Elephant Restaurant and Brasserie (H7) 3-4 Beacon Terrace, Torquay, T. 200 044 Tu W Th F Sa, L D, Brasserie lunch £17, dinner £25. Restaurant £45 Michelin 1*, AA 3 Rosettes, Knorr National Chef of the Year 2008, Les Routiers South West Restaurant of the Year, Devon Life Restaurant of the Year Mediterranean & Tapas TJ’s (E10) 44 Cliff Road, Paignton Harbour, T. 527389 Th F Sa, D, plus lunch and other evenings in summer, £19, Orange Blossom Bistro (E9) 29 Hyde Road, Paignton, T. 556600 M Tu W Th F Sa Su, D, £13, Mi Coto (G6) 11 Abbey Road, Torquay, T. 211 755 W Th F Sa Su, D, £12, Seafood No. 7 Fish Bistro (H7) Beacon Terrace, Torquay, T. 295 055 M* Tu* W Th F Sa Su* *not always, L D, £22, Poopdeck Restaurant (J14) 14 The Quay, Brixham, T. 858 681 Tu W Th F Sa Su, L (Sa & Su) D, £20, Six tasters for £20 per person at lunchtime. Saxtys (J14) 1 The Quay, Brixham, T. 858 519 M Tu W Th F Sa Su, L D £5 Specials Thai Thai Garden (E10) 30-32 Palace Avenue, Paignton, T. 521 540 M Tu W Th F Sa, L D, £10 Lunch £4 Torbay Thai (E8) 48 Old Torquay Road, Paignton, T. 663914 M Tu W Th F Sa Su, L D, £10 tc� Lunch £4 Vegetarian Epicentre Book Cafe (E9) 59 Torquay Road, Paignton, T. 553790 M Tu W Th F Sa, B L, £6 tc Vegetarian food is quite popular in England and all restaurants will offer a range of vegetarian options. The nearest full vegetarian restaurant is: Willow Garden Restaurant 87 HIgh Street, Totnes, T. 862605 M Tu W Th F Sa, L D, £15 62 | The LAL Torbay Guide 2013 January Su M Tu 1 6 7 8 13 14 15 20 21 22 27 28 29 W 2 9 16 23 30 Th 3 10 17 24 31 F 4 11 18 25 Sa 5 12 19 26 February Su M Tu W Th March Su M Tu W Th 3 4 5 10 11 12 17 18 19 24 25 26 3 4 10 11 17 18 24 25 31 F Sa 1 2 6 7 8 9 13 14 15 16 20 21 22 23 27 28 F 1 5 6 7 8 12 13 14 15 19 20 21 22 26 27 28 29 April Su M 1 7 8 14 15 21 22 28 29 Tu 2 9 16 23 30 W 3 10 17 24 Th 4 11 18 25 F 5 12 19 26 Sa 6 13 20 27 May Su M Tu W 1 5 6 7 8 12 13 14 15 19 20 21 22 26 27 28 29 Th 2 9 16 23 30 F 3 10 17 24 31 Sa 4 11 18 25 July Su M 1 7 8 14 15 21 22 28 29 Tu 2 9 16 23 30 W 3 10 17 24 31 Th 4 11 18 25 F 5 12 19 26 Sa 6 13 20 27 August Su M Tu W Th 1 4 5 6 7 8 11 12 13 14 15 18 19 20 21 22 25 26 27 28 29 F 2 9 16 23 30 Sa 3 10 17 24 31 September Su M Tu 1 2 3 8 9 10 15 16 17 22 23 24 29 30 W 4 11 18 25 Th 5 12 19 26 F 6 13 20 27 Sa 7 14 21 28 October Su M Tu 1 6 7 8 13 14 15 20 21 22 27 28 29 W 2 9 16 23 30 Th 3 10 17 24 31 F 4 11 18 25 Sa 5 12 19 26 F 1 5 6 7 8 12 13 14 15 19 20 21 22 26 27 28 29 Sa 2 9 16 23 30 December Su M Tu 1 2 3 8 9 10 15 16 17 22 23 24 29 30 31 W 4 11 18 25 Th 5 12 19 26 F 6 13 20 27 Sa 7 14 21 28 January Su M Tu W 1 5 6 7 8 12 13 14 15 19 20 21 22 26 27 28 29 Th 2 9 16 23 30 F 3 10 17 24 31 Sa 4 11 18 25 March Su M Tu W Th F November Su M Tu W Th 3 10 17 24 4 11 18 25 June Su M Tu W Th Sa 2 9 16 23 30 2 3 4 9 10 11 16 17 18 23 24 25 30 F Sa 1 5 6 7 8 12 13 14 15 19 20 21 22 26 27 28 29 2014 April Su M Tu 1 6 7 8 13 14 15 20 21 22 27 28 29 W 2 9 16 23 30 Th 3 10 17 24 F 4 11 18 25 Sa 5 12 19 26 July Su M Tu 1 6 7 8 13 14 15 20 21 22 27 28 29 W 2 9 16 23 30 Th 3 10 17 24 31 F 4 11 18 25 Sa 5 12 19 26 October Su M Tu W 1 5 6 7 8 12 13 14 15 19 20 21 22 26 27 28 29 Th 2 9 16 23 30 F 3 10 17 24 31 Sa 4 11 18 25 February Su M Tu W Th 2 3 4 5 9 10 11 12 16 17 18 19 23 24 25 26 Sa 1 6 7 8 13 14 15 20 21 22 27 28 May Su M Tu W Th 1 4 5 6 7 8 11 12 13 14 15 18 19 20 21 22 25 26 27 28 29 F 3 4 10 11 17 18 24 25 31 F 2 9 16 23 30 Sa 3 10 17 24 31 June Su 1 8 15 22 29 Tu 3 10 17 24 W 4 11 18 25 Th 5 12 19 26 F 6 13 20 27 Sa 7 14 21 28 F 1 5 6 7 8 12 13 14 15 19 20 21 22 26 27 28 29 Sa 2 9 16 23 30 September Su M Tu 1 2 7 8 9 14 15 16 21 22 23 28 29 30 W 3 10 17 24 Th 4 11 18 25 F 5 12 19 26 Sa 6 13 20 27 Sa 1 5 6 7 8 12 13 14 15 19 20 21 22 26 27 28 29 December Su M Tu 1 2 7 8 9 14 15 16 21 22 23 28 29 30 W 3 10 17 24 31 Th 4 11 18 25 F 5 12 19 26 Sa 6 13 20 27 August Su M Tu W Th 3 4 10 11 17 18 24 25 31 2 9 16 23 30 Sa 1 5 6 7 8 12 13 14 15 19 20 21 22 26 27 28 29 November Su M Tu W Th 2 3 4 9 10 11 16 17 18 23 24 25 30 F M 2 9 16 23 30 www.lalschools.com/torbay | 63 zz Do you want to find out what to expect at LAL? zz Do you want to find out where to go in Torbay? zz Do you want to know where are the best places to visit and how to get there? zz Or do you just need a little help settling in? Everything you need is inside! lalschools.com/torbay @laltorbay facebook.com/laltorbay youtube.com/lalschools