Babbacombe Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

A Tudor-style house with a red-tiled roof and black-framed windows.
A rocky beach with clear water, a forested hillside, and houses in the background.
Stonehenge replica surrounded by lush greenery and houses in the background.
A pebbled beach with people walking and a dog, rocky cliffs in the background, and a blue inflatable raft on the shore.
A coastal village with houses on a hillside, rocky shoreline, and boats in the water.

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.


Stay near popular Babbacombe attractions

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 NZ$98 per night from 12 July to 13 July
NZ$98
12 July - 13 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Torquay. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their ...
6.6/10 (793 reviews)
"Nice breakfast great room friendliness of the staff and the residents nice bar facilities lovely garden great location"

Reviewed on 30 June 2026

The Trecarn Hotel
The Babbacombe Hotel

The Babbacombe Hotel

3.5 out of 5
The Sea Front Torquay England
The price is NZ$257 per night from 5 July to 6 July
NZ$257
5 July - 6 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Torquay. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
The Babbacombe Hotel
The Grand Hotel

The Grand Hotel

4 out of 5
Seafront Torquay England
The price is NZ$283 per night from 5 July to 6 July
NZ$283
5 July - 6 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this beach hotel in Torquay. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and a beach locale. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their ...
8/10 Very good! (1,006 reviews)
"Room are a decent size however no air conditioning in the hotel making room very warm in summer.The room we had also had a towel rail in the bathroom which they could not turn off which made the room very uncomfortable.The dining rooms also very warm without a/c and needs some supervision at breakfast ..."

Reviewed on 29 June 2026

The Grand Hotel
Woodbury Park Hotel and Golf Club

Woodbury Park Hotel and Golf Club

4 out of 5
Woodbury Castle Exeter England
The price is NZ$211 per night from 5 July to 6 July
NZ$211
5 July - 6 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this spa hotel in Exeter. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their reviews. ...
8.4/10 Very good! (1,007 reviews)
"Staff were the best thing about the hotel stay. Room was nice enough for our 1 night stop over (family room) with breakfast. Could have been cleaner in the room, no AC, and standing lamp didn’t work. Also could hear the people above moving around."

Reviewed on 28 June 2026

Woodbury Park Hotel and Golf Club
The Imperial Torquay

The Imperial Torquay

4 out of 5
Park Hill Road Torquay England
The price is NZ$229 per night from 3 July to 4 July
NZ$229
3 July - 4 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this spa hotel in Torquay. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in their reviews. ...
8.4/10 Very good! (1,088 reviews)
"After a very disappointing experience at my previous accommodation, moving here completely changed my holiday. The hotel was spotless, comfortable, and very well maintained. The room was spacious, quiet, and had everything I needed for a relaxing stay. The bed was extremely comfortable, and I had ..."

Reviewed on 29 June 2026

The Imperial Torquay
voco Zeal Exeter Science Park by IHG

voco Zeal Exeter Science Park by IHG

4 out of 5
Exeter Science Park, Babbage Way Exeter England
The price is NZ$199 per night from 5 July to 6 July
NZ$199
5 July - 6 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Exeter. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Popular attractions Exeter's Historic Quayside and ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (267 reviews)
"Excellent hotel, very comfortable and friendly helpful staff. Ideally located right near the coach pick up point for travel to Powderham Castle for a Concert"

Reviewed on 29 June 2026

voco Zeal Exeter Science Park by IHG
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.

Our guide on where to stay in Babbacombe

Find the best Babbacombe areas for the activities you enjoy most. Learn more about Babbacombe
Learn more about Babbacombe

Torquay City Centre

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.



Babbacombe Travel Guide

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