About

Ansteys Lea Guest House and Self-Catering Apartments

Ansteys Lea Guest House is a gracious Victorian building in a delightful district of Torquay, standing in 3/4 acre of attractive grounds. Ansteys Lea is a family-owned and run guest accommodation offering all the elegance and style of the Victorian age with immense comfort and courtesy shown to all guests. It was once a Victorian Gentlemen’s Residence and the English Riviera’s mild, continental-style climate, famous palm trees and stunning scenery creates the ideal setting for a relaxing break by the sea.

Solo travellers, couples and families with children are welcome, and the breath-taking landscape makes the English Riviera a great choice for keen walkers and ramblers, cyclists, golfers, tennis players, bowling club members and outdoor adventurers.

There are twin and double rooms available, each with modern facilities including TV with Freeview channels, an electric shaver point, a hairdryer, and tea and coffee making provisions. Ansteys Lea has a pleasant garden with a range of shrubbery, plants and trees and a secluded patio area for guests to enjoy.  There are onsite car parking facilities for guests arriving by car or motorbike as well as excellent links to local transport services with Torquay Railway Station, Torre Railway Station and Lymington Coach Station within easy reach. 

Wireless internet access is available throughout the building and there are business facilities for guests who are visiting the area on business or attending an event at Riviera International Conference Centre.

For guests wishing to have more flexibility during their holiday, Ansteys Lea has a choice of 2 self-catering apartments, sleeping up to 2 and a family room for up to 3 persons, with open plan lounges, fully-equipped kitchens and spacious dining rooms. 

Ansteys Lea is ideally located to between Torquay’s town centre, popular harbourside and cosmopolitan marina. Babbacombe Downs with its Green Flag awarded garden has the highest cliff top promenade in England and is within easy reach on foot, by car or by taking the No.22 bus which runs regularly along Babbacombe Road with a convenience bus stop located at St Matthias Church in Wellwood. From Babbacombe Downs there are spectacular views across to Portland Bill in Dorset on a clear day. There are plenty of eateries and family-run cafes to enjoy fish and chips or a delicious Devon cream tea. Take a trip on the quaint Babbacombe Cliff Railway or stroll along to Babbacombe Model Village, a miniature world of gardens and models.  There’s plenty to do in the area and something to suit all ages and interests.

Wellswood village is nearby, and just a level walk to a range of independent shops, cafes, bars and a post office. Follow the road towards Meadfoot Beach and you’ll find the award-winning Kents Cavern prehistoric caves, a gateway site to the English Riviera’s designated UNESCO Global Geopark. 

The English Riviera is one of the UK’s top seaside destinations and is well-equipped for families with babies and young children. 

Ansteys Lea is named after the enchanting Anstey’s Cove, which is close by and was once a smuggler’s haven. A short walk from the guest house, thorough a hillside woodland area lined with trees and attractive wildlife, rare plants, birds and butterflies will lead you to the peaceful and beautiful small shingle beach and a hidden gem nestled between Torquay and Babbacombe which has been granted Good Beach Guide and Seaside Award. The South West Coast Path which runs along the 22 miles of stunning English Riviera coastline passes through Anstey Cove to Oddicombe Beach and Meadfoot Beach. Torquay’s most famous resident and world-renowned crime writer, Agatha Christie has links to Ansteys Cove, as it was the inspiration for the name of Amyas which appears in her novel, Five Little Pigs. There are lots of other local connections too, with the Agatha Christie Mile, a self-guided walking trail leading you to 12 local landmarks that were inspirational in her life.  

Ansteys Lea is a most friendly and comfortable guest accommodation for guests to come to relax during their visit to Torquay and South Devon.