Babbacombe Travel Guide

Torquay

Babbacombe Model Village and Gardens featuring a park
Babbacombe Beach showing rocky coastline
Babbacombe Model Village and Gardens which includes a small town or village, outdoor art and a park
Babbacombe Beach which includes a pebble beach and rugged coastline as well as a family
Babbacombe Beach showing rugged coastline, a coastal town and boating
Marvel at the beautiful red cliffs, clear sea views and pretty beaches of this district filled with natural beauty and top tourist attractions.

Babbacombe is a scenic coastal area of Torquay where you will find plenty of natural attractions as well as tourist sights. Come here to see for yourself why this beautiful part of the world has been protected by UNESCO as part of the English Riviera Global Geopark. Wander along beautiful beaches, go hiking at the top of dramatic cliffs, have fun at family-oriented attractions and stay in a pretty, old-fashioned fisherman’s cottage.

Start your day in Babbacombe with an early-morning walk along the stunning Babbacombe Downs. This coastal pathway proudly lays claim to being England’s highest clifftop promenade. Depending on the time of year, you can see colonies of seabirds here, and if you look out to sea you may even get lucky and see seals or a pod of dolphins.

Kids will love riding the Babbacombe Cliff Railway. Climb aboard this cute funicular railway to get down to Oddicombe Beach, where clean sands and blue waters await. In addition to being a welcoming, family-friendly place to play on the sand and splash around, this is a great spot for trying out some water sports.

Make sure you take a trip to some of the other family attractions in the area, too. Step back in time as you walk down a reconstruction of a Victorian street at Bygones, or marvel at the detail in the tiny scenes laid out in the Babbacombe Model Village. Enjoy an atmospheric stroll through the Kents Cavern Prehistoric Caves, an adventure both adults and kids will enjoy. In the evening, see a fun variety show at the Babbacombe Theatre.

Make your way northeast on foot for around half an hour to reach Babbacombe from Torquay’s main tourist area. Choose to stay in one of the many hotels and apartments in bustling Torquay, or go for the quiet option of a break based in Babbacombe itself. Come in the warmer months to make the most of the striking landscapes that have made this area famous.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Top hotels in Babbacombe

The Trecarn Hotel
The Trecarn Hotel
3 out of 5
Palermo Road, Torquay, England
The price is £49 per night from 24 Apr to 25 Apr
£49
includes taxes & fees
24 Apr - 25 Apr
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Torquay. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
6.4/10 (728 reviews)
"Excellent stay! The best Britannia hotel by far!!!"

Reviewed on 16 Apr 2025

The Trecarn Hotel
Courtyard by Marriott Exeter Sandy Park
Courtyard by Marriott Exeter Sandy Park
4 out of 5
Sandy Park Way, Exeter, England
The price is £71 per night from 5 May to 6 May
£71
includes taxes & fees
5 May - 6 May
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Exeter. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), parking (surcharge) and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
"Average breakfast, as not many options for vegetarians. Not a very warm welcome staff in the morning breakfast room. Cannot recall the name of the two ladies in the breakfast room but they were both unhelpful and when you asked them something they were ready to bite your head off and tell you that ..."

Reviewed on 21 Apr 2025

Courtyard by Marriott Exeter Sandy Park
Leonardo Hotel Exeter
Leonardo Hotel Exeter
4 out of 5
Western Way, Exeter, England
The price is £71 per night from 27 Apr to 28 Apr
£71
includes taxes & fees
27 Apr - 28 Apr
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Exeter. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,003 reviews)
Stay here
"Brilliant hotel"

Reviewed on 17 Apr 2025

Leonardo Hotel Exeter
Holiday Inn Express Exeter East by IHG
Holiday Inn Express Exeter East by IHG
3 out of 5
Guardian Road Exeter Business Park, Exeter, England
The price is £50 per night from 5 May to 6 May
£50
includes taxes & fees
5 May - 6 May
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Exeter. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,000 reviews)
"overall it was good. sofa bed needs upgrading, bit worn out. unlike other hotel breakfast time here is shorter, busy messy breakfast. parking not free."

Reviewed on 21 Apr 2025

Holiday Inn Express Exeter East by IHG
Hotel Du Vin Exeter
Hotel Du Vin Exeter
4 out of 5
Magdalen Street, Exeter, England
The price is £76 per night from 27 Apr to 28 Apr
£76
includes taxes & fees
27 Apr - 28 Apr
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Exeter. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,001 reviews)
"I recently stayed at the Hotel du Vin in Exeter and was drawn to the hotel’s charming blend of historic architecture and modern boutique style. The location is excellent—just a short walk from Exeter Cathedral and the quayside—making it very convenient for exploring the city. The room itself was ..."

Reviewed on 21 Apr 2025

Hotel Du Vin Exeter
The Imperial Torquay
The Imperial Torquay
4 out of 5
Park Hill Road, Torquay, England
The price is £60 per night from 27 Apr to 28 Apr
£60
includes taxes & fees
27 Apr - 28 Apr
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Torquay. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in their reviews. ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,008 reviews)
"Cosy Double room was clean though not totally spotless. Comfy bed. Great sea view. Reasonable price, comparable to smaller hotels. Good health spa with saunas, indoor pool (outdoor pool was closed), a good steam room, and a small spa pool - the spa pool could do with updating to contemporary style. ..."

Reviewed on 17 Apr 2025

The Imperial Torquay
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Babbacombe

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Torquay City Centre

4.5/5(384 area reviews)

Torquay City Centre is a destination visitors seek out for its great bars, beautiful seaside views and captivating waterfront views. You might also want to check out attractions like Princess Theatre or Torquay Marina while you're exploring the neighbourhood.

Torquay City Centre


Babbacombe Travel Guide

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