Babbacombe Downs is one of the most picturesque areas in Torquay, with stunning views right across to the Jurassic coast as far as Portland Bill. This delightful green space received the prestigious Green Flag Award, an international sign to the public that the space boasts the highest possible environmental standards, is beautifully maintained and has excellent visitor facilities.
With a promenade of bars, cafes, hotels and restaurants, there’s plenty to keep you entertained. Look out for live music, karaoke, pub quizzes and comedians. Babbacombe Theatre has been entertaining the crowds since the 1930’s, with a young Bruce Forsyth cutting his teeth here.
Take a ride down on the Babbacombe Cliff Railway to Oddicombe Beach and the funky Three Degrees West Bar and Bistro, where there’s often live entertainment and other events. Or wander down the hill to stunning Cary Arms, which also hosts regular entertainment and themed dining evenings.
The Victorian shopping precinct at St. Marychurch is a lovely area to visit, with a village feel and a slower pace than the rest of Torquay. There’s some great independent shops to explore, while make sure you take a trip down memory lane with a visit to Bygones, a unique attraction packed with nostalgic treats. St. Marychurch also has some great bars including The Snooty Fox and the wonderfully quirky Crown and Sceptre Inn, which features chamber pots on the ceiling.
This miniature world isn’t only a fantastically eccentric visitor attraction portraying English life and culture over the past six decades, the team also host some great events. Highlights include everything from Easter Egg Hunts to their spooky Halloween Evenings of Mini Horrors. Look out for the evening illuminations over the summer months, as well as Christmas when you can enjoy snow scenes, mini pantos, Christmas lights and even Alpine Skiing for the youngsters!
Oddicombe Beach
This fantastic beach at the bottom of the cliff railway is a really buzzing place, with stunning views to match. Three Degrees West host various live music events and parties, as well as the annual “Last team Standing” when teams build huge sandcastle islands to stand on as the tide comes in! Look out for the annual Oddicombe Dog Day every October, with various fun games and competitions for your four-legged friends.
Babbacombe Theatre
The theatre started life as a bandstand back in the 1930’s and over the years has grown into one of the most respected seaside variety venues in the UK. Babbacombe Theatre boasts the longest running summer season in the country (lasting nine months), as well as a popular Christmas variety shows and top touring productions. Over recent years it has also had audiences rolling in the aisles with some of the best stand-up comedians in the country