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 NZ$112 per night from 24 Aug to 25 Aug
NZ$112
24 Aug - 25 Aug
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 (760 reviews)
"Room was a little small but beds were comfortable!"

Reviewed on 11 Aug. 2025

The Trecarn Hotel
The Babbacombe Hotel

The Babbacombe Hotel

3.5 out of 5
The Sea Front, Babbacombe Downs Road, Torquay, England
The price is NZ$252 per night from 7 Sept to 8 Sept
NZ$252
7 Sept - 8 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Torquay. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (102 reviews)
"The room was lovely and clean, the bathroom was spotless. The bed was comfy and the room was really quiet. The internet access was awful in our room but improved in the main area of the hotel. We felt the food options were very limited. The roast carvery needed a better variety of vegetables in my ..."

Reviewed on 10 Aug. 2025

The Babbacombe Hotel
Exeter Rougemont hotel by Sunday

Exeter Rougemont hotel by Sunday

3.5 out of 5
Queen Street, Exeter, England
The price is NZ$160 per night from 24 Aug to 25 Aug
NZ$160
24 Aug - 25 Aug
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! (956 reviews)
Honest British Reviewer
"Great hotel, great evening meal, would definitely stay here again. Staff friendly, parking is rubbish as the size of the car park is nonsense compared to the rooms."

Reviewed on 16 Aug. 2025

Exeter Rougemont hotel by Sunday
The Imperial Torquay

The Imperial Torquay

4 out of 5
Park Hill Road, Torquay, England
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is NZ$207 per night from 31 Aug to 1 Sept
NZ$207
31 Aug - 1 Sept
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! (1,007 reviews)
"Our stay was fantastic, we had a sea facing room with a balcony, room and view was out of this world. We actually ordered room service for our meal which we never normally do during vacations to take in the fantastic location and view, well done Imperial hotel"

Reviewed on 14 Aug. 2025

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$204 per night from 25 Aug to 26 Aug
NZ$204
25 Aug - 26 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Exeter. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Popular attractions Adrenalin Games Paintball ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (80 reviews)
"For the price this hotel was excellent all round, staff accommodating, friendly and professional"

Reviewed on 14 Aug. 2025

voco Zeal Exeter Science Park by IHG
Courtyard by Marriott Exeter Sandy Park

Courtyard by Marriott Exeter Sandy Park

4 out of 5
Sandy Park Way, Exeter, England
The price is NZ$173 per night from 25 Aug to 26 Aug
NZ$173
25 Aug - 26 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Exeter. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), parking (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (866 reviews)
"Lovely hotel, great nights sleep - you’ll wake up thinking it’s the middle of the night as the curtains are properly black out! The only negatives were the cleaner almost hounding us out of the room on day one whilst we were getting ready and the lack of room clean / top up of tea etc on day ..."

Reviewed on 16 Aug. 2025

Courtyard by Marriott Exeter Sandy Park
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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