Tor Bay
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| Tor Bay | |
|---|---|
 Aerial view of Tor Bay | |
  Tor Bay | |
| Location | South-east coast of Devon, England |
| Coordinates | 50°26′N 3°30′W / 50.433°N 3.500°W |
| Max. width | 4.5 mi (7.2 km) |
Tor Bay (sometimes written as Torbay) is a bay on the south-east coast of the county of Devon, England. Facing east into the English Channel, it is about 4.5 mi (7.2 km) wide from north to south. The settlements of Torquay, Paignton and Brixham, which lie along its coastline, are known collectively as Torbay.
Tor Bay is bounded by outcrops of Devonian limestone forming its northern limit at Hope's Nose and its southern at Berry Head. The geology of the area is varied and complex, recognised by the 2007 designation of the English Riviera Geopark which includes all of Tor Bay's coastline.[1]
During the last glacial period, when sea level was much lower, Tor Bay was dry land, as is shown by the existence of a submerged forest in the bay. It was overwhelmed during the Flandrian transgression which started about 10,000 years ago.[2]
