Things to do in Babbacombe

Babbacombe and St Marychurch are popular all-year-round resort towns on South Devon’s glorious English Riviera. A holiday here in the UNESCO accredited English Riviera Global Geopark is filled with all the ingredients for a magical break – great beaches, wonderful coast path walks, fantastic attractions, exhilarating watersports, a show stopping theatre, independent shops plus fresh local fish and seafood to tempt your tastebuds. It’s also the perfect place for dog-lovers with the friendliest doggy-Devon welcome.

Babbacombe Downs, The Cliff Railway & The Beach

Devon’s English Riviera is ripe for exploring, and with an idyllic walk along Babbacombe Downs - the highest cliff top promenade in England. Here you can take in the spectacular coastline of South Devon spotting seabirds, seals and even dolphins from above! Babbacombe Downs has 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.

A trip on the historic Babbacombe Cliff Railway takes you to Oddicombe Beach, where the whole family can play in the sea to their heart’s content. Enjoy a visit to the stylish Three Degrees West café, bar and bistro on Oddicombe Beach for coffee, cakes or a spot of tapas. And don’t miss the stunning Cary Arms & Spa on Babbacombe Bay. For adrenaline junkies there is plenty to challenge you with coasteering, sailing, scuba diving and hiking.

Strolling and Walking the South West Coast Path

There’s a host of pretty coastal and woodland strolls to choose from, offering spectacular views and a treasure trove of hidden coves and tranquil settings. Walkers will love the wonderful South West Coast Path, which meanders west along beautiful Babbacombe Bay, around the stunning headland of Hope’s Nose, past beautiful Thatcher Rock and eventually leads via a breathtakingly beautiful and circuitous route towards Torquay. Alternatively, go east past Torquay Golf Club to enjoy the spectacular views across Lyme Bay to Maidencombe Beach, Labrador Bay and beyond. Why not plan a fascinating walk along England’s Seafood Coast?

Explore

Things to do in Babbacombe

Featured

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.
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.
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.
Babbacombe Model Village

Step into a miniature world that captures the imagination of all ages. Set in 4 acres of award-winning gardens, Babbacombe Model Village showcases British life past and present, in a humorous way through hundreds of model scenes, vehicles and miniature people. See what you can discover in our miniature world.
1. 01/01/202631/12/2026
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.
Animals & Wildlife

If you love animals and wildlife then Devon’s English Riviera has a host of attractions just for you. There are lots of places to explore that will create wonderful memories to take home.
Explore The Coast

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

Beyond the wilds and beauty of Tor Bay’s iconic coastline lies a vibrant arts and culture scene of unique museums, diverse theatres and creative festivals.
Boat Trips & Ferries

Devon’s beautiful English Riviera is set within a sheltered bay with stunning coastal scenery. The rich geological landscape is so unique that it has received international recognition and is a designated UNESCO Global Geopark, one of only 8 in the UK and 140 in the world.

Babbacombe Model Village

Babbacombe Model Village has 4 acres of award-winning gardens with hundreds of model scenes, tiny vehicles and pocket-sized people. Favourites include: the house on fire, Stonehenge, the model railway, the football stadium, the beach and the lake. For a special evening out, there are stunning illuminations at various times from April – mid October and during holidays like Halloween and Christmas. You’ll also enjoy a visit to their Devon tearoom and shop – open year round.

Bygones

Is a deceptively large attraction and is fascinating throughout, bringing Britain’s past and childhood memories to life. You’ll discover a life-size authentically created Victorian Street, including a forge, sweetshop and apothecary plus a 28-foot model railway, a mock-up of World War I trenches, a 1950s shopping arcade and much more. There’s also a station café and a gift shop – it’s all under cover and open year round.

Kents Cavern

Is one of the most important Stone Age sites in Europe, one of Britain's best show caves and one of Devon’s most popular attractions as the gateway site to the English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark. Their daily tours take you back to a time when the cave was home to ancient humans, sheltering from extreme weather, making fires, shaping tools and hunting Ice Age animals. The extensive labyrinth of caverns, 400 million year old rocks and spectacular stalagmites and stalactites are quite awe-inspiring. There’s also a gift shop and café – open year round.

Eating Out in Bababcombe

Devon’s St Marychurch is choc-a-bloc full of excellent cafés, award winning tearooms and restaurants. Pop into the precinct or stroll along Babbacombe Downs for lots of choice and endless sea views. The Cary Arms on Babbacombe Beach and Three Degrees West on Oddicombe Beach both make spectacular lunch spots – take the famous Babbacombe Cliff Railway from the clifftop at Babbacombe Downs to the two glorious sandy coves. This is England’s Seafood Coast with a delicious selection of the freshest fish and seafood arriving daily from nearby Brixham’s world famous Fish Market.

Share Your Snaps

#EnglishRiviera

Real photos by real people. Use #englishriviera and you could end up on our social media gallery too. Experience the Bay your way! 🌴

With 22 miles of

coastline and 20 beaches on offer,

there's something

for everyone!

Search, plan and book

Book Now

Order your free travel directories

Contact English Riviera Visitor Information

Submit your event

Hello.

We'd love to hear what you think about the English Riviera!

Complete our short survey below to enter our free draw, and be in with a chance to win a two night bed and breakfast stay at the Mercure Hotel in Paignton.

Enter now