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 July to 15 July
AU$101
14 July - 15 July
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 (744 reviews)
Best Budget option in the area
"I travel frequently to the South West for work and generally stay here. For the price Trecarn offers a good option. The rooms and general decor is tired, but it is clean, the rooms are secure and the showers are hot and powerful. There is a bar and restaurant and there is outdoor seating when its ..."

Reviewed on 24 Jun. 2025

The Trecarn Hotel
Mercure Paignton Hotel
Mercure Paignton Hotel
4 out of 5
Esplanade Road, Paignton, England
The price is AU$179 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
AU$179
3 Aug - 4 Aug
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! (304 reviews)
Our 1 night stop off
"Great one night stay here, staff were excellent, friendly and nothing too much trouble, rare these days. Breakfast was great and for our deal was excellent value. Will visit again"

Reviewed on 7 Jul. 2025

Mercure Paignton Hotel
Exeter Rougemont hotel by Sunday
Exeter Rougemont hotel by Sunday
3.5 out of 5
Queen Street, Exeter, England
The price is AU$169 per night from 22 July to 23 July
AU$169
22 July - 23 July
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! (921 reviews)
"Very good"

Reviewed on 7 Jul. 2025

Exeter Rougemont hotel by Sunday
The Imperial Torquay
The Imperial Torquay
4 out of 5
Park Hill Road, Torquay, England
The price is AU$185 per night from 20 July to 21 July
AU$185
20 July - 21 July
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! (1,015 reviews)
"The room was good as it was more of suite 2 bedrooms and bathroom, Quiet ,couple of issues one night could not get into Room as Cards would not Work,had to have help from Hotel Reception to get into the room, Also Outdoor pool was out of Service ,indoor pool full of Children"

Reviewed on 12 Jul. 2025

The Imperial Torquay
Exmouth Beach Hotel
Exmouth Beach Hotel
3 out of 5
Bay Grand Hotel,, Morton Crescent, Exmouth, England
The price is AU$138 per night from 10 Aug to 11 Aug
AU$138
10 Aug - 11 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Exmouth. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Popular attractions Devon Cliffs Beach and South West ...
7.8/10 Good! (86 reviews)
"Location, food and helpful staff were excellent but bedroom and certainly en suite needs decorating"

Reviewed on 10 Jul. 2025

Exmouth Beach Hotel
The Grand Hotel
The Grand Hotel
4 out of 5
Seafront, Torquay, England
The price is AU$223 per night from 22 July to 23 July
AU$223
22 July - 23 July
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! (1,005 reviews)
"Very nice"

Reviewed on 10 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(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

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