town, Torbay unitary authority, historic county of Devon, England. It lies on the south side of Tor Bay (of the English Channel). Much of Brixham was built in Victorian times. It was known as the “great fishery of the west,” for Brixham fishermen developed the technique of trawling. Nearby is Windmill Hill Cave, occupied from prehistoric until Roman times. Pop. (2001) 17,457.