Things to do in Torquay
Situated a pleasant 30-mile drive from our Devon Cliffs Holiday Park, Torquay has been a seaside resort since the 18th century and was home to the thriller writer Agatha Christie. From cavernous mysteries to balmy beaches, Torquay is the jewel of the English Riviera.
If you're looking for the top places to visit in Torquay, we’ve got it covered with some delightful highlights to explore.
1. Babbacombe Model Village
Feel like a giant in this stunning display of the modelmaker’s art. You’ll find tiny architectural icons aplenty here, including Shakespeare’s Globe theatre, Bath’s Georgian Crescent, thatched villages, a celebrity mansion, and a tiny working railway, complete with suspension bridges.
The scenes are beautifully detailed and perfect for those Instagram moments. There’s a new animated mythical kingdom too, plus crazy golf and picturesque gardens to wander. Well-behaved dogs on the lead are welcome in the outdoor displays.
2. Torquay's Dinosaur World
Step back into the Jurassic era, meet life-sized dinos, and even unearth some fossils at this family-friendly interactive exhibit.
See life-sized replicas of plant-eating Triceratops and the fearsome Dimetrodon. Dare you stick your head into the fossil T-Rex skull? Kids can take an explorer quiz, check out the massive prehistoric spiders, or pick up a fantastic souvenir in the gift shop.
3. Kents Cavern
Did you know Torquay has its own prehistoric cavern? Remarkably, stone age remnants have been unearthed in this network of fascinating caverns just a mile from the city centre. Excavated in the Victorian era, Kents Cavern transports you to chilly havens created by geological processes 2.5 million years ago.
With a cave of inscriptions, exhibits of stone age tools, a water gallery and plenty of stalagmites and stalactites, this is an atmospheric must-see for the curious of all ages.
4. Torquay Museum
With 400-million years of history to uncover, it’s no surprise that Torquay Museum has plenty to experience. The museum is unusually hands-on, a firm favourite with junior explorers, and regularly hosts touring exhibits ranging from Egyptology to insect life.
There’s an Agatha Christie gallery too, which offers a fascinating insight into the town’s most famous writer and her inspiration. There are rare books, movie and TV memorabilia and there are regular talks and film screenings about the crime writer and her creations.
5. Cockington Country Park
This beautiful oasis, not far from Torquay, offers more than the usual country house and grounds attraction. Perfect for picnics, strolls, and horse-drawn carriage rides, Cockington includes a wonderful gallery of local arts and crafts, plus artists’ studios and workshops on site.
Watch glassblowers in action, enjoy the rose garden, take a carriage ride, and have a Devon cream tea in the charming cafe. Whether you’re into nature, history or art, there’s lots to explore at Cockington and you could easily devote a day to this attraction.
6. Babbacombe Theatre
This 1930s concert hall once hosted the legends of variety, and now programmes a range of popular shows including musicals, comedy, magicians, and concerts.
From Pink Floyd tributes to Christmas pantos, there’s plenty going on throughout the year, but do book ahead to avoid disappointment.
7. Torquay Harbour & Beacon Cove
Iconic and idyllic, Torquay Harbour is perfect for a morning or sunset stroll. Watch boats bobbing, enjoy waterfront dining, or just soak in the serene views of this bustling harbour and marina.
Window shop for yachts or wander down to the nearby Beacon Cove for a quiet place to read your book, paddle in the surf or catch some rays. The self-guided Agatha Christie mile starts at Beacon Cove too, and plaques along the route explain aspects of her life and work.
8. Bygones
Time travel Torquay-style! Bygones recreates a Victorian street, with wartime memorabilia, period shops, and even a classic British pub (don’t expect a penny pint, however!) There’s also a full-sized 27-ton steam engine and a period station café at which to refuel in 1940s style.
Bygones manages to be educational, entertaining, and a nostalgic trip down memory lane.
9. Torre Abbey
After the bustle of a seaside town, you might want to escape to something a little bit more tranquil. Torre Abbey is perfect in that respect. Established in 1196, it is one of the oldest buildings in Torquay and is set in 18 acres of peaceful parkland.
There’s more to the abbey than its history, however. There’s an impressive fine art collection including Pre-Raphaelite treasures, an interactive exhibit of the abbey’s 800-year-old story and heated glasshouses containing exotic tropical plants.
You’ll need half a day to see everything that the abbey and its surroundings have to offer.
10. Princess Pier
A trip to an English seaside town isn’t complete without a walk along the pier, and Torquay’s Princess Pier doesn’t disappoint. Built in 1890, it’s an unspoilt gem. Unlike many modern piers, you won't find any lively attractions here, so it's a great spot for quiet exploration.
An evening stroll here promises golden sunsets and the soft murmur of waves. Whether you come for a romantic rendezvous or a spot of contemplation, the pier is a lovely place to wander.
Start planning your Great British break
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Important information
Brand new holiday homes from £34,995
Holiday home price is for a new 3-bedroom ABI New Horizon holiday home and includes siting, connections and standard accessories.
Price excludes 2024 site fees, running costs and add-ons requested at point of sale. Subject to status and availability.
As at 19 July 2024, price is available at all parks, excluding Church Farm, Cala Gran, Kiln Park, Littlesea, Lydstep Beach, Penally Court, Perran Sands, Rockley Park, Seashore, Seaview and Thornwick Bay.
Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.
New holiday homes from £33,995
Holiday home price is for a new 3-bedroom Willerby Ellerton Extra holiday and includes siting, connections and standard accessories.
From 12 July 2024 the holiday home price is reduced from £37,995 to £33,995 and will remain at this price until all available stock is sold.
The holiday home price excludes 2024 site fees, running costs and add-ons requested at point of sale. Subject to status and availability.
As at 12 July 2024 this price is available at Berwick, Burnham-on-Sea, Devon Cliffs, Doniford Bay, Hafan y Mor, Kent Coast, Lakeland, Marton Mere, Presthaven, Primrose Valley, Reighton Sands, Seton Sands and Weymouth Bay.
Haven reserves the right to withdraw this offer at any time. Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.
Pre-owned holiday homes from £19,995
Holiday home price is based on a Bronze Grade pre-owned holiday home 6 years or older and includes siting, connections and standard accessories.
Price excludes 2024 site fees, running costs and add-ons requested at point of sale. Subject to status and availability.
As at 12 July 2024, price is available at all parks, excluding Cala Gran, Church Farm, Cardigan View, Cleethorpes Beach, Craig Tara, Far Grange, Golden Sands, Haggerston Castle, Kiln Park, Littlesea, Lydstep Beach, Orchards, Penally Court, Perran Sands, Rockley Park, Riviere Sands, Seashore, Seaview, Skegness and Thornwick Bay.
Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times. Park cannot be used as a permanent residence.
Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.
Let2offset - make no site fee payments until 2031
Let2offset is a contractual lettings product that offers eligible owners a guaranteed letting income at a preferential rate (calculated each year) in exchange for a stipulated number of letting breaks. It also allows eligible owners to pay their site fees and receive their letting income in 12 equal monthly instalments; the monthly site fee amount charged by Haven will be after deduction of the letting income.
‘Make no site fee payments when using Let2offset until 2031’ is available at 33 Haven parks excluding Burnham, Cardigan View, Far Grange, Garreg Wen, Lydstep Beach, Riviere Sands and Seaview. The letting income received will vary by make, model and location. The monthly site fee payment does not include running costs e.g. utilities, rates & insurance.
“Make no site fee payments when using Let2offset until 2031” is applicable to new and existing customer purchases of new Atlas Sahara 3 Bed or equivalent or superior grade holiday home purchases made through Haven where customers have also signed up to Haven’s Let2offset contract. It is not applicable to private sales and cannot be used in conjunction with our free Site Fee promotion. It is available across 40% of eligible Parks and applies when letting a new Atlas Sahara 3 Bed holiday home (or equivalent or superior grade for 15 weeks.
An example of how “Make no site fee payments when using Let2offset until 2031” operates under Let2offset is the purchase of an Atlas Sahara 3 Bed holiday home at Primrose Valley with a monthly site fee of £585.00 (includes purchasing discount of £45) and monthly letting income of £803.67. The monthly difference equates to £218.67, which will be credited to the owner's account. Both letting income and site fees are subject to yearly pricing reviews and the monthly site fee costs and letting income shown in the example are based on 2024 figures.
Modelled assumptions on expected annual site fee and letting income charges over the 7-year lettable life of the Atlas Sahara 3 Bed indicate that under Let2offset it is anticipated that these customers will continue to receive a monthly credit during this period, however, this is not guaranteed. The modelled assumptions are based on the historical performance of Haven over the past 5 years of trading.
Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.