Tour guide - specialising in Agatha Christie, Fawlty Towers and The English Riviera

Of Scottish descent (but without the accent), I’ve lived the majority of my life in the West Country and now reside in Torquay. Taking guests on walking tours has to be one of the best jobs ever, especially when your ‘office’ is naturally inspiring English Riviera! Each year I walk about 4 million steps and in 2025 I hosted my 1000th tour!

Along the South West Coast Path from Berry Head to Torquay

I made two appearances on TV in 2024 - This Morning with Jaz from The Traitors....and I was a contestant on Tipping Point - if you want to know what happened, join me on one of my tours! I was also a member of the team from Frome in Somerset that won It's a Knockout!

Extreme Tour Guide and Science Teacher

I have lived in Devon most of my life and have an intimate relationship with the forests, coves and ancient history of the area. Weird and wonderful things seem to happen to me all the time! Whether its big foot, giant octopus or UFO’s I always seem to be in the right place at the right time to get the scoop. I’ve been collecting stories now for many years and enjoy sharing them on coasteering tours in the Geo Park. I also sing with a local Shanty Crew!

My favourite local walk is the one down to the forgotten coves of Labrador Bay to look for treasure and the lost remains of the community that used to live there.

I won the Torquay episode of Channel 4’s ‘Come Dine with me’ a few years ago. I caught most of the ingredients locally, out of the sea.

Gardener and author

Simon Akeroyd is a garden writer with 2.3 million followers on his social media channels, including 1.1 million on Instagram where he shares gardening tips and advice. He is the owner of Simon Akeroyd’s Gardening Academy where he runs Gardening Experience days for beginner gardeners on the English Riviera.

Simon lives in Brixham and is the author of thirty gardening books. His book Grow Your Groceries was a Sunday Times and Irish Times bestseller and remained the number one gardening book on Amazon for months. His latest book, Way to Grow will be issued in April 2026.

I love walking around Greenway near the River Dart. I start at Galmpton Creek and do a loop around Agatha Christie’s gardens and the surrounding countryside. Agatha Christie described Greenway as the ‘Loveliest place in the world’ and I couldn’t agree more. On the edge of wildness, it includes spectacular views of the mighty river and some rare and beautiful plants

Simon has been Head Gardener at numerous gardens including Agatha Christie’s Greenway and Coleton Fishacre.

Metropolitan Police Sergeant (retired)

As well as my love for walking and the outdoors, I present the Good Morning show every Monday on Torbay FM. I also play jazz saxophone in a duo. I've lived in South Devon for 10 years, having previously served as a police sergeant in London. I look forward to meeting you and sharing our exceptionally beautiful coastline and countryside.

Across Warborough common, through Galmpton village then escaping into the hills of Dittisham

I am a direct descendant of Lady Godiva.

Retired B&B Landlady

Born and bred in Paignton, I have lived and worked here all my life. My passion is local history, and I am the Vice Chair of Paignton Heritage Society - a job that takes up most of my spare time!

One I haven’t yet done! There’s always something new to see, and stories to hear

I played tennis with Sue Barker - it was in junior school, and I never returned one of her serves - but I was there!

Palaeontologist

Quinn is a Palaeontologist specialising in giant extinct mammals, especially those that once lived in Britain during the last ice age. Quinn is also a tour guide at Kents Cavern, the final stop on this walking tour, which is where the oldest evidence for modern humans in Britain was discovered.
Quinn is currently undertaking his PhD at the University of Portsmouth. His PhD involves rewriting the scientific understanding for an animal called Deinotherium, an enormous extinct elephant that once lived in Southern Germany 10 million years ago and may have been the largest mammal to have ever lived in Europe.

Through Bellever Forest on Dartmoor. It might not be natural or particularly ancient, but walking through the tall trees on a cold winter morning really gives the feeling like you’re walking through some ancient woodland filled with mysteries and secrets.

Quinn has conducted numerous lectures and presentations. Most recently was last October, where
he presented a talk on his PhD at the Munich Show, the largest fossil and mineral convention in Europe.

Founding Director and Community Music Leader at We Need Music CIC and Facilitator at Lime Tree Ecology

Lyndon holds a BSc in Zoology and Ecology and a Permaculture Design Certificate. He is a founding Director of We Need Music CIC, a social enterprise company that uses music as a tool for connecting people and helping to build confidence. As well as being a performing musician, he also facilitates regular music-based wellbeing sessions using percussion and handpans, working in schools and care homes.

I particularly love walking the stretch of coastline between Goodrington and Berry Head. It is such a varied and beautiful area, with some magnificent hidden coves, interesting geology and is really rich in biodiversity.

Lyndon performed alongside 6 Internationally renowned musicians, led by tabla virtuoso Pandit Sanju Sahai, at Dartington Hall in 2023. He has also had several pieces of music that he composed played on BBC radio 3 and BBC Sounds.

Tour Guide & Founder of Snapshot Trips

I create guided walks, self-guided adventures, and surprise road trips that showcase Devon’s coastline, history, and character. With a background in hospitality, I love helping people explore, discover hidden gems, and get off the beaten track. Expect creativity, local insight, and plenty of fun along the way!

The coastal path from Daddyhole Plain to Oddicombe — a stunning route with hidden coves and incredible views over Torbay and Lyme Bay.

I’m Torquay born and bred, and I used to run a local B&B — happily sharing the Bay’s best-kept secrets with my guests.

Local Author and Program Director for the Agatha Christie Festival

I grew up in the area and I'm really passionate about sharing my hometown with visitors. I'm a keen wild swimmer and have co-written several books on the subject, including the popular Wild Swimming Walks Series. These include Wild Swimming Walks; Dartmoor and South Devon, Wild Swimming Walks: Cornwall and new for this year, Wild Swimming Walks: Dorset and East Devon. Amongst his swimming achievements, he has swum from Alcatraz to San Francisco, swum to the Isle of Wight and been ice swimming above the Arctic Circle in winter.
He is also the author of Agatha Christie’s Devon and the up-coming Daphne du Maurier’s Cornwall. Matt also writes regular travel pieces for national publications and is a director of Tonic Creatives, a company that puts on events across the Bay and beyond.

I live near Goodrington in Paignton and I love walking around the coast path to Brixham, swimming at the various beaches along the way. The views across the Bay from so many different angles are spectacular. Then I might pop into the Wine Loft for a well-earnt libation or two, before catching the bus back.

I spent my honeymoon at Dollywood, after Hurricane Matthew (a storm with my name) caused us to abandon our plans to fly to the Bahamas.

Artist

I am an artist inspired by the natural world, capturing the essence of the British landscape through light, colour, and space.
Based in Devon, my work is rooted in plein air painting around Torbay and beyond, blending keen observation with a deep connection to place.
In recent years, my residency at Cockington Court has supported my ongoing exploration of the local environment.

I enjoy exploring woodland areas, particularly Manscombe.

I was a semi-finalist on Landscape Artist of the Year.

Yoga & Polynesian Dance Teacher

I am Nicola, and I’m thrilled to share my passion for a life enriched with joy, gratitude, and connection. Since beginning my yoga journey in 2015 and completing my Hatha Teacher training in 2019, I have focused on making yoga accessible to all individuals. I wholeheartedly believe that yoga facilitates deeper connections with ourselves, our environment, and the universal energies that unite us all.

Over the years, I’ve had the pleasure of working with schools in Torbay, demonstrating the benefits of yoga for stress relief and emotional well-being to students and educators alike. I have also partnered with various organizations to enhance mental health support within our community.

As a proud Geopark Associate Partner, I am committed to elevating awareness of Torbay’s geological heritage and the wellness advantages of engaging with nature in ‘One of earth’s extraordinary places’.

Additionally, I offer a vibrant Polynesian Dance Class that celebrates my Kiribati heritage by integrating well-being practices with principles of kindness and harmony. My goal is to spread joy, connection, and community through both yoga and dance, creating a safe and inclusive space for everyone, no matter their age or ability. I truly believe that these practices are essential for fostering balance and healing in our lives.

Sharkham Point to Berry Head has to be my favourite living in Brixham I feel blessed to have such beautiful coastline right on my down step! I think I have to many favourite! As I love Fishcombe Cove to Elberry Cove and over in Torquay Meadfoot to Thatchers Rock. We are so lucky to call this place home!

That I once snorkelled with a 40ft humpback whale in the Caribbean, the most magical and mind-blowing experience! One I will treasure forever.