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 AU$81 per night from 26 July to 27 July
AU$81
26 July - 27 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 (798 reviews)
"Really nice hotel at the price point. Friendly helpful staff and excellent buffet breakfast. Parking was a bit tricky as it is on the road outside and fairly full whilst we were staying but we always managed to find a space. Very good location for beach / shops etc. Double bed seemed a bit small ..."

Reviewed on 14 July 2026

The Trecarn Hotel
The Babbacombe Hotel

The Babbacombe Hotel

3.5 out of 5
The Sea Front Torquay England
The price is AU$212 per night from 26 July to 27 July
AU$212
26 July - 27 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 AU$232 per night from 21 July to 22 July
AU$232
21 July - 22 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! (1,000 reviews)
"had a 2 night stay and location good and in its heyday sure was a great hotel, but it is run down and needs a lot of money spent on it, room was very worn, wallpaper hanging off wall and bit tatty. we had a family room with bunk bed, and this it was very old and very noisy. The weather was very hot ..."

Reviewed on 17 July 2026

The Grand Hotel
The Imperial Torquay

The Imperial Torquay

4 out of 5
Park Hill Road Torquay England
The price is AU$161 per night from 13 Aug to 14 Aug
AU$161
13 Aug - 14 Aug
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! (1,113 reviews)
"Have stayed here many times in the past and enjoyed it but this time was a real disappointment. Given a downstairs garden room the sea view was more or less non existent due to the unkempt garden. Room is very dated, definitely needs an upgrade. No bath robes in the room and unable to get reception ..."

Reviewed on 18 July 2026

The Imperial Torquay
Woodbury Park Hotel and Golf Club

Woodbury Park Hotel and Golf Club

4 out of 5
Woodbury Castle Exeter England
The price is AU$173 per night from 26 July to 27 July
AU$173
26 July - 27 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. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,002 reviews)
"Excellent facilities clean and reasonably priced."

Reviewed on 18 July 2026

Woodbury Park Hotel and Golf Club
Courtyard by Marriott Exeter Sandy Park

Courtyard by Marriott Exeter Sandy Park

4 out of 5
Sandy Park Way Exeter England
The price is AU$181 per night from 2 Aug to 3 Aug
AU$181
2 Aug - 3 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Exeter. Enjoy free parking, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
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.

Our guide on where to stay in Babbacombe

Find the best Babbacombe areas for the activities you enjoy most.

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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