Babbacombe Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Babbacombe Model Village and Gardens featuring a park
Babbacombe Beach showing rocky coastline
Babbacombe Model Village and Gardens which includes a park, a small town or village and outdoor art
Babbacombe Beach featuring a pebble beach and rocky coastline as well as a family
Babbacombe Beach featuring boating, a pebble beach and rocky coastline

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

Activities


Our pick of the best Babbacombe Hotel Deals

The Trecarn Hotel

The Trecarn Hotel

3 out of 5
Palermo Road, Torquay, England
The price is AU$101 per night from 14 Aug to 15 Aug
AU$101
14 Aug - 15 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Torquay. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
6.4/10 (758 reviews)
"Room was a little small but beds were comfortable!"

Reviewed on 11 Aug. 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 AU$227 per night from 7 Sept to 8 Sept
AU$227
7 Sept - 8 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Torquay. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (102 reviews)
"The room was lovely and clean, the bathroom was spotless. The bed was comfy and the room was really quiet. The internet access was awful in our room but improved in the main area of the hotel. We felt the food options were very limited. The roast carvery needed a better variety of vegetables in my ..."

Reviewed on 10 Aug. 2025

The Babbacombe Hotel
Exeter Rougemont hotel by Sunday

Exeter Rougemont hotel by Sunday

3.5 out of 5
Queen Street, Exeter, England
The price is AU$145 per night from 17 Aug to 18 Aug
AU$145
17 Aug - 18 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Exeter. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
7.8/10 Good! (948 reviews)
"Friendly approachable staff"

Reviewed on 9 Aug. 2025

Exeter Rougemont hotel by Sunday
The Imperial Torquay

The Imperial Torquay

4 out of 5
Park Hill Road, Torquay, England
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is AU$194 per night from 31 Aug to 1 Sept
AU$194
31 Aug - 1 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Torquay. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,004 reviews)
"Pretty good, staff were very helpful and room was nice. However the fan in our bathroom did spit out some dirt onto the sink. Also had some problems with the bedsheets but the man on reception at night was very helpful and fixed it right away."

Reviewed on 9 Aug. 2025

The Imperial Torquay
Mercure Paignton Hotel

Mercure Paignton Hotel

4 out of 5
Esplanade Road, Paignton, England
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is AU$164 per night from 31 Aug to 1 Sept
AU$164
31 Aug - 1 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Paignton. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (348 reviews)
"Very clean staff very friendly and helpful breakfast was brilliant will go again"

Reviewed on 12 Aug. 2025

Mercure Paignton Hotel
The Grand Hotel

The Grand Hotel

4 out of 5
Seafront, Torquay, England
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is AU$224 per night from 31 Aug to 1 Sept
AU$224
31 Aug - 1 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star beach hotel in Torquay. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,010 reviews)
"Generally our stay was ok. The entrance to the hotel is fabulous and well maintained and the staff are friendly. The indoor pool and changing rooms need a bit of an upgrade. There was a musty smell in our room and the corridor outside. Also not enough hooks to hang towels."

Reviewed on 11 Aug. 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

Default Image

Torquay City Centre

4.5/5(6 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

Choose two or more items and save on your trip: