Things To Do In Torquay

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Things to Do in Torquay

There is no shortage of things to do in Torquay - with its stunning seafront, stylish marina and beautiful beaches meandering the length of this beautiful South Devon town, Torquay is noted for its huge range of year-round things to do. Part of the glorious UNESCO accredited English Riviera Global Geopark, it’s a perfect haven for families with tiny tots or teenagers, singles with a taste for adventure, couples looking for romance or experienced travellers looking for something new. With attractions, museums, theatres and watersports, you will find plenty of things to do in Torquay - you are sure to be spoilt for choice!

Devon’s Very Best Attractions in Torquay

Torquay has some of Devon’s best year-round attractions including the spectacular underground caves at Kents Cavern, 800 year old Torre Abbey with its Agatha Christie-inspired Potent Plants Garden, Bygones plus Open Top Sightseeing Buses and much more. Kids will love bowling, crazy golf and the fascinating Babbacombe Model Village. If you are after something more cultural, there are museums, galleries, and the beautiful Cockington Craft Centre where you can watch glass blowing and local artists. There is something for everyone no matter what your age.

Boat and Ferry Trips in Torquay

You can get afloat and enjoy the breath-taking waters of the English Riviera with regular passenger ferries to the harbourside towns of Paignton, Brixham and Dartmouth plus fishing and wildlife safari boat trips. Take a day cruise to Dartmouth, or a power boat across the bay. If you fancy something a little more active, try kayaking or paddleboarding the beautiful coves along the coastline with Reach Outdoors.

Torquay’s Torre Abbey Sands

Torquay is famous for its world-class sailing with national and international races regularly competing in the stunning horseshoe shaped bay. Yachts and super yachts nod gently on the marina. The coastline is simply idyllic to explore from beautiful Torre Abbey Sands by kayak or paddleboard, and is a popular year-round location for wild swimming.

Sailing, Powerboating & Kayaking In Torquay

The calm waters of Tor Bay are a wonderful place to learn to sail on dinghies, yachts and motorboats and there are a range of sea schools offering leisure sailing and RYA courses. The Disabled Sailing Association based in Torquay is a non-profit-making service run for the disabled by the disabled and gives you the chance to participate as fully as you are able in a seagoing sailing experience. Kayaking is also available locally.

Torquay Theatres and Shows

Torquay has a vibrant evening scene with a huge choice of glamorous shows, concerts, plays, musicals, ballets and comedies offering you top West End performances and the best of local am-dram. There are three theatres in Torquay including the Princess Theatre, which attracts the very best of the national touring shows plus The Little Theatre, homes of TOADS Theatre Company and historic Babbacombe Theatre with its wonderful musical variety shows and top visiting acts. In the summer months there’s a choice of open-air theatre performances at National Trust properties and at Cockington Country Park.

Agatha Christie

Agatha Christie was born in Torquay and there’s a famous International Agatha Christie Festival every year. You can also walk the Agatha Christie mile and discover some of the murder scenes described in her novels and see many of the places where the Queen of Crime visited as a local. You can also take the picturesque steam train to Kingswear and jump aboard a riverboat up the Dart to visit her magnificent riverside residence at Greenway (now National Trust).

Walking in Torquay

Enjoy long leisurely strolls along the historic pier and promenade and take in the relaxed atmosphere. Walkers will love Devon’s stunning South West Coast Path with its jaw dropping views. You can take the beautiful coastal footpath right around the bay to Paignton, Brixham and beyond; it’s renowned as one of Devon’s very finest waterside walks. The whole area is wonderfully dog friendly and your best friend will love it. Why not plan a fascinating walk along England’s Seafood Coast?

Shopping in Torquay

There are some excellent shops and art galleries around Torquay’s attractive harbour area, plus the quintessentially Devon village of Cockington where you’ll find a vibrant, working craft centre set within the 18th century manor house of Cockington Court with its beautiful country park and tea rooms.

History & Heritage in Torquay

Torquay Museum has some really fascinating exhibits plus a permanent Agatha Christie Gallery. A must-visit is 800-year-old Torre Abbey on the seafront in Torquay with its galleries and gardens including a medieval children’s garden, tropical glasshouses and a full year-round events programme.

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Things To Do In Torquay

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English Riviera Attractions

There's a huge choice of attractions in the Bay including renowned caverns, a model village, a steam train, a zoo, a huge waterpark, Agatha Christie’s famous riverside home and more.
Excursions, Day Trips & Tours

The English Riviera is a designated UNESCO Global Geopark in South Devon. It is one of only eight in the UK and 140 in the world. A geopark is an area of globally recognised unique geological interest with fascinating landscape, coastlines and places.
Family Days out

As well as the stunning coastline and beautiful beaches, the English Riviera has endless options for family fun including underground caverns, a magnificent model village, a steam train, a world-class zoo, an historic funicular railway, an 800 year old Abbey, a huge waterpark, a historic pier, Agatha Christie’s famous riverside residence and much more.
Beaches

The South Devon coastline offers an ever-changing feast of sandy beaches, rocky outcrops, secluded coves, historic viaducts, elevated cliff tops, rockpools and wooded areas. And Devon’s famous English Riviera, a designated UNESCO Global Geopark, is the perfect base to experience it all.
On The Water

The English Riviera is set around a large horseshoe shaped bay and sheltered by the rolling hills of Dartmoor - both of which provides a warm microclimate, and safe, shallow waters. Our long sandy beaches, secluded coves and crystal clear waters create a mediterrean vibe, and mean that water-based activities are the favourite thing to do for both locals and visitors here in Devon's Beautiful Bay.
Explore The Coast

The South Devon coastline offers an ever-changing feast of sandy beaches, secluded coves, historic viaducts and wooded areas.

All Things to Do in Torquay

Number of results: 87

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Dates

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
Agatha Christie Mile

Address

Torquay Seafront, (starting points: Grand or Imperial Hotels), Torquay, Devon, TQ2 6NT

Telephone
01803 211211

holiday@englishriviera.co.uk

Torquay

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025

Drift back into the style and opulence of the Jazz Age as you retrace the steps of the world’s best-selling author along Torquay’s seafront.

Type

Type:

Sightseeing
Accessibility

Accessible to Wheelchair Users
More Details
Italian Gardens - Abbey Park

Address

The Kings Drive, Torquay, Devon, TQ2 5JE

Torquay

Don’t miss the Italian Gardens, which form part of Abbey Park and Meadows. Here you’ll find a charming pond with fountain and water rock garden.

Type

Type:

Garden

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Dates

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025

Local Guides

Address

English Riviera and South Devon, Torquay, Devon, TQ2 5JG

Telephone
01803 211211

holiday@englishriviera.co.uk

Torquay

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025

Are you bringing a group to the English Riviera to experience all it has to offer? Or are you an independent traveller looking to get to the heart of the resort? You'll find your trip all the more memorable with a tour from one of our local guides.

Type

Type:

Museums & Galleries

More Details

Visit Website

Web Site
Dates

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025Various Opening Times
Gym at The Riviera International Centre

Address

Riviera International Centre, Chestnut Avenue, Torquay, Devon, TQ2 5LZ

Telephone
01803 299299

Torquay

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025Various Opening Times

One Of Torquay's Longest Standing Gyms With Experienced Instructors And Extensive Facilities Our fully qualified Fitness Instructors can help support you by creating a specific exercise programme to help you achieve your goals. Whether you are…

Type

Type:

Sub-Attraction
Children & Infants

Accept children all ages
Parking & Transport

Parking On Site
Accessibility

Accessible to Wheelchair Users
More Details

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Web Site
Dates

From:

17 Mar 2025to31 Dec 2025

From:

15 Feb 2026to23 Feb 2026

Babbacombe Cliff Railway

Address

Babbacombe Downs Road, Torquay, Devon, TQ1 3LF

Telephone
01803 328750

info@babbacombecliffrailway.co.uk

Torquay

Dates

From:

17 Mar 2025to31 Dec 2025

From:

15 Feb 2026to23 Feb 2026

Built in 1926, the Babbacombe Cliff Railway has shuttled hundreds of thousands of holiday makers to and from Oddicombe Beach in over 90 years of service.

Type

Type:

Railway

More Details

Visit Website

Web Site
Dates

From:

1 Apr 2026to4 Nov 2026

Torquay Land Train

Address

The Strand, Torquay, Devon, TQ2 5JG

Telephone
07980 269352

chrisnormangriffin@yahoo.co.uk

Torquay

Dates

From:

1 Apr 2026to4 Nov 2026

The Torquay Land Train is a fun way to get around Torquay for all ages! Further information can be found on www.torquaylandtrain.co.uk.

Type

Type:

Sightseeing

More Details
Dates

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
Babbacombe Model Village

Address

Hampton Avenue, Babbacombe, Torquay, Devon, TQ1 3LA

mail@model-village.co.uk

Torquay

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025

Feel like a giant as you step through the small entrance and the vast miniature world opens up before you. Explore 4 acres of award-winning gardens showcasing hundreds of uniquely hand-crafted model scenes, vehicles & people.
The Model Village is…

Type

Type:

Model/Miniature Village
Establishment Features

Dogs-Accepted
Venue Facilities

Groups Accepted - Pre-booking advisable.
More Details

Visit Website

Web Site
Dates

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025

English Riviera Custom Tours

Address

Torquay, Devon, TQ1 1BG

Telephone
07832 614352

info@englishrivieracustomtours.co.uk

Torquay

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025

Personal tours and experiences for independent travellers in Agatha Christie's Devon.
Miss Lemon has created custom made days out for those with a passion for Agatha Christie, the Queen of Crime. These include Greenway and the utterly fabulous…

Type

Type:

Guided Tour

More Details

Visit Website

Web Site
Dates

From:

28 Jan 2026to18 Dec 2026Various Opening Times
Torre Abbey

Address

The Kings Drive, Torquay, Devon, TQ2 5JE

Telephone
+44 01803 293593

torreabbeyenquiries@torbay.gov.uk

Torquay

Dates

From:

28 Jan 2026to18 Dec 2026Various Opening Times

An English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark Key Site.
Come and enjoy a visit exploring Torbay's most historic building, garden and impressive displays, world-class collections and exhibitions, complemented by modern amenities and special accessibility…

Type

Type:

Abbey/Priory
Venue Facilities

Groups Accepted

Key Features

Groups

Establishment Features

Cater for groups
Accessibility

Accessible to Wheelchair Users
More Details

Visit Website

Web Site

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The official tourism website for the English Riviera

This Official Tourism Website is managed by the English Riviera BID Company Ltd.

Company number 10237792

Registered address 5 Vaughan Parade, Torquay, Devon, England, TQ2 5JG.

Telephone 01803 211211 enquiries@englishrivierabid.co.uk

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Things to Do in Torquay

Devon’s Very Best Attractions in Torquay

Boat and Ferry Trips in Torquay

Torquay’s Torre Abbey Sands

Sailing, Powerboating & Kayaking In Torquay

Torquay Theatres and Shows

Agatha Christie

Walking in Torquay

Shopping in Torquay

History & Heritage in Torquay

Featured

All Things to Do in Torquay

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