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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Dates

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
Maidencombe Beach

Address

Torquay, Devon, TQ1 4TS

Telephone
01803 208443

harbour.authority@torbay.gov.uk

Torquay

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025

If you’re looking for a quiet haven to spend the day, Maidencombe Beach is the perfect retreat. Far removed from amusement arcades and water parks, Maidencombe Beach is about one thing: relaxing.

Type

Type:

Beach
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Dogs-Accepted
Parking & Transport

Parking On Site
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Web Site
Dates

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1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
Oddicombe Beach Torquay

Address

Babbacombe, Torquay, Devon, TQ1 3LU

Telephone
01803 208443

harbour.authority@torbay.gov.uk

Torquay

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025

This is a great beach for all ages! paddling for the young and a variety of watersports for the older and braver! Accessible via a steep road or you could take the amazing Babbabacombe Cliff Railway.

Type

Type:

Beach
Accessibility

Accessible to Wheelchair Users
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Web Site
Dates

From:

29 Mar 2025to31 Dec 2025Various Opening Times
Torquay Museum

Address

529 Babbacombe Road, Torquay, Devon, TQ1 1HG

Telephone
+44 01803 293975

enquiries@torquaymuseum.org

Price
Price Free to £10.00 Per Ticket

Torquay

Dates

From:

29 Mar 2025to31 Dec 2025Various Opening Times

Travel back through 400 million years of time at Torquay Museum – a hands-on family-friendly visitor attraction, with lots to see and do for children and adults alike. An English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark Key Site.

Type

Type:

Museum
Venue Facilities

Groups Accepted - Essential to prebook.After 1600.
Price
Price Free to £10.00 Per Ticket

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Dates

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025Various Opening Times
AMF Bowling

Address

Torwood Street, Torquay, Devon, TQ1 1DZ

Telephone
0844 826 3034

Torquay

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025Various Opening Times

With 21 state of the art bowling lanes, fantastic food and on drinks from the diner, an impressive selection of awesome amusements, AMF Bowling Torquay, Devon has something for all the family to enjoy.
Whether you’re looking for the perfect…

Type

Type:

Activity Centre
Children & Infants

Facilities for children
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Cater for groups

Cater for school groups
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Dates

From:

17 Mar 2025to31 Dec 2025

From:

15 Feb 2026to23 Feb 2026

Babbacombe Cliff Railway

Address

Babbacombe Downs Road, Torquay, Devon, TQ1 3LF

Telephone
01803 328750

info@babbacombecliffrailway.co.uk

Torquay

Dates

From:

17 Mar 2025to31 Dec 2025

From:

15 Feb 2026to23 Feb 2026

Built in 1926, the Babbacombe Cliff Railway has shuttled hundreds of thousands of holiday makers to and from Oddicombe Beach in over 90 years of service.

Type

Type:

Railway

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Dates

PGL Barton Hall

Address

Kingskerswell Road, Torquay, Devon, TQ2 8JY

Telephone
01803 321400

Torquay

Dates

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 –…

Type

Type:

Dry Ski Slope

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Dates

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025

Sea Kayak Torbay

Address

Oddicombe Beach, Torquay, Devon, TQ1 3DD

Telephone
01803 912963

info@seakayaktorbay.co.uk

Torquay

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025

When we think about it, what epitomises Torbay is the view from the sea. We are overwhelmed by the sheer beauty and grandeur of the beautiful place we live in – and the geological history of what makes Torbay the stupendous coastal adventure…

Type

Type:

Kayaking

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Dates

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1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025

Access to Beaches on the English Riviera

Address

Torbay Council, Torquay, Devon, TQ2 5JG

Telephone
01803 208443

harbour.authority@torbay.gov.uk

Torquay

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025

With 3.3million visitors every year, the English Riviera is South Devon’s beautiful bay and one of the most popular holiday destinations in the country. With over 20 spectacular beaches, clean and calm waters, many of them are easy to access

Type

Type:

Beach

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Web Site
Dates

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025

Royal Lyceum

Address

29 Abbey Road, Torquay, Devon, TQ2 5NQ

admin@unleashedtheatrecompany.com

Torquay

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025

Unleashed @ The Royal Lyceum
In late 2021 Unleashed were presented with the exciting opportunity to purchase a property located in the heart of Torquay, where many of those who need their help the most are. Situated on Abbey Road, Central Cinema is…

Type

Type:

Theatre

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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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