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

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From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

Royal Terrace Gardens

Address

Seafront, Torquay, Devon, TQ2 5JG

Torquay

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

Landscaped gardens on the side of the cliff face on Torquay's seafront with stunning views out to sea. Newly restored in 2010, the highlight is a magnificent illuminated staircase that ascends the cliff.

Type

Type:

Garden

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Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to29 Oct 2026
PGL Barton Hall

Address

PGL Barton Hall, Kingskerswell Road, Torquay, Devon, TQ2 8JY

Telephone
0333 3212114

holidays@pgl.co.uk

Torquay

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to29 Oct 2026

Barton Hall, set in 46 acres of the English Riviera, offers families an unforgettable school holiday adventure! Devon's warm climate, the great activities on offer and Barton’s beautiful, outdoor heated pool have consistently made Barton Hall one of…

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Type:

Outdoor Activity/Pursuit Centre
Parking & Transport

Parking On Site
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Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

PGL Barton Hall

Address

Kingskerswell Road, Torquay, Devon, TQ2 8JY

Telephone
03333 212 116

Torquay

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

A coastal retreat, at the heart of the English Riviera, Barton Hall adventure activity centre is a great location for groups in South Devon and the surrounding area. Within the grounds, we have all the adventure activities your group could want –…

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Type:

Outdoor Pursuits

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Web Site
Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026Various Opening Times
Torquay's Dinosaur World

Address

3 Victoria Parade, Torquay, Devon, TQ1 2BB

Telephone
01803 298779

info@torquaysdinosaurworld.co.uk

Torquay

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026Various Opening Times

Torquay's Dinosaur World is an fun interactive indoor exhibition that brings dinosaurs and their worlds to life! There are a host of scaled and full size models set in realistic scenes accompanied by exciting information. There are excavation sites…

Type

Type:

Museum
Establishment Features

Dog Friendly

Dogs-Accepted
Venue Facilities

Groups Accepted

Establishment Features

Cater for groups
Accessibility

Accessible to Wheelchair Users
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Dates

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1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

Watcombe Woods

Address

Watcombe Beach Road, TORQUAY, Devon, TQ1 4SH

Telephone
01803 520022

info@countryside-trust.org.uk

TORQUAY

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

These are mature woods with steep hills. They are quite dense and may not be suitable for those who are less mobile.
Start your walk at Watcombe Beach car park. A steep path will lead down to Watcombe Beach, an idyllic sandy beach, sheltered by red…

Type

Type:

Parkland/Woodland Garden

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Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
Babbacombe Theatre

Address

Babbacombe Downs, Torquay, Devon, TQ1 3LU

Telephone
01803 328385

info@babbacombe-theatre.co.uk

Torquay

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

An asset to the English Riviera for over eighty years Babbacombe Theatre is renowned for wowing audiences with their highly acclaimed family variety shows, most especially since 1986 when Matpro Limited took over the venue.
From its earliest days,…

Type

Type:

Theatre
Venue Facilities

Groups Accepted

Establishment Features

Cater for groups
Accessibility

Accessible to Wheelchair Users
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Web Site
Dates

From:

1 Dec 2026to31 Dec 2026Various Opening Times

The Story of Agatha Christie's Extraordinary Life - English Riviera Walking Tours

Address

English Riviera Visitor Information Centre, Vaughan Parade, Torquay, Devon, TQ2 5JG

Telephone
07414 777606

grahamkerr1963@gmail.com

Torquay

Dates

From:

1 Dec 2026to31 Dec 2026Various Opening Times

Even if you’ve never read an Agatha Christie novel or watched one of her plays, it doesn’t matter!
This award winning tour is one of the best things to do on the English Riviera and tells the story of Agatha's extraordinary life. She was an…

Type

Type:

Walking

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Web Site
Dates

From:

13 Apr 2026to31 Oct 2026

Boat Trips - Torquay

Address

Torquay, Devon, TQ2 5JG

Torquay

Dates

From:

13 Apr 2026to31 Oct 2026

A boat trip is the perfect way to experience the English Riviera from one of its best vantage points - the sea! Whether you're looking for a sight-seeing trip, fishing excursion or simply to cross the bay on a ferry, you'll find it all here.

Type

Type:

Boat Trip

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Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
Kents Cavern Prehistoric Caves

Address

Ilsham Road, Wellswood, Torquay, Devon, TQ1 2JF

Telephone
01803 215136

caves@kents-cavern.co.uk

Torquay

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

Explore underground at Europe’s top Stone Age cave, with an extensive labyrinth of spectacular and easily accessible caverns open daily all year. Our entertaining guides will take you on an underground adventure in the Stone Age home to Britain’s…

Type

Type:

Cave
Children & Infants

Facilities for children
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Cater for groups
Parking & Transport

Parking On Site - Chargable
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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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