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 30 Jul to 31 Jul
£49
30 Jul - 31 Jul
includes taxes & fees
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 (750 reviews)
"The Hotel is very good value for money, breakfast was grand, overall could do with updating as very tired looking, but we enjoyed our weekend there."

Reviewed on 27 Jul 2025

The Trecarn Hotel
The Babbacombe Hotel

The Babbacombe Hotel

3.5 out of 5
The Sea Front, Babbacombe Downs Road, Torquay, England
The price is £120 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
£120
3 Aug - 4 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Torquay. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (100 reviews)
Parking.
"large problem with parking we were fortunate not to have any damage. Two couples we spoke to had wing mirrors damaged."

Reviewed on 27 Jul 2025

The Babbacombe Hotel
Mercure Paignton Hotel

Mercure Paignton Hotel

4 out of 5
Esplanade Road, Paignton, England
The price is £88 per night from 25 Aug to 26 Aug
£88
25 Aug - 26 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Paignton. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (326 reviews)
"Very comfortable...great bed."

Reviewed on 23 Jul 2025

Mercure Paignton Hotel
The Imperial Torquay

The Imperial Torquay

4 out of 5
Park Hill Road, Torquay, England
The price is £83 per night from 17 Aug to 18 Aug
£83
17 Aug - 18 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Torquay. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in their ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,024 reviews)
A July Stay
"Breakfast was excellent. Bar meal was good but not great selection. Main Restaurant was too expensive. The room was great, very comfortable. the Seaview was obscured bey vegetation, but after some discussion, the gardener cut the offending vegetation back which mad the view perfect."

Reviewed on 29 Jul 2025

The Imperial Torquay
Exeter Rougemont hotel by Sunday

Exeter Rougemont hotel by Sunday

3.5 out of 5
Queen Street, Exeter, England
The price is £67 per night from 10 Aug to 11 Aug
£67
10 Aug - 11 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Exeter. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
7.8/10 Good! (935 reviews)
"Great hotel, clean, nice room, friendly staff. Would stay there again."

Reviewed on 26 Jul 2025

Exeter Rougemont hotel by Sunday
The Grand Hotel

The Grand Hotel

4 out of 5
Seafront, Torquay, England
The price is £112 per night from 21 Aug to 22 Aug
£112
21 Aug - 22 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star beach hotel in Torquay. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,009 reviews)
"all was quite good"

Reviewed on 27 Jul 2025

The Grand Hotel
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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