Torbay Tourist Attractions and Sightseeing

(Brixham / Paignton / Torquay - Torbay, Devon, England, UK)

There are many seaside related attractions in this part of Devon, although it is the Torbay beaches that reliably draw the biggest crowds each summer. After you've had your fill of Torbay's plentiful sun and sand, the tourist attractions come thick and fast, being perfect for families and including the Living Coasts (partnered with Paignton Zoo) , the Babbacombe Cliff Railway and also a recent addition to the family, the Hi-Flyer tethered helium balloon, with provides endless coastal views as it silently ascends to 120 metres / 400 feet.

Cruises around the Torbay shoreline are always in demand during fine weather, with an especially popular passenger ferry service travelling from Princess Pier or the North Quay at Torquay, and travelling to the New Pier at Brixham. You make also like to take advantage of the deep-sea fishing trips and the more than ample assortment of water sport attractions, such as scuba diving, sailing, windsurfing and water skiing. For families, every itinerary should include time at the Babbacombe Model Village, the Splashdown at Quaywest water park, and perhaps a trip on the Dartmouth Steam Railway.

Dartmouth Steam Railway

Address: Queens Park Station, Torbay Road, Paignton, Torbay, Devon, TQ4 6AF, England, UK
Tel: +44 01803 553760
A heritage railway line running between Paignton and Kingswear, the Dartmouth Steam Railway, previously called the Paignton and Dartmouth Steam Railway, boasts excellent views of the coastline and the River Dart along its route. This original line dates from 1859 and operated for more than 100 years, closing in 1972, when it was sold to the Dart Valley Railway company. Reopened soon afterwards as a seasonal attraction, the Dartmouth Steam Railway now offers nostalgic steam trail rides all through the summer months. The main GWR steam locomotives currently in operation are named the 'Hercules' and the 'Lydham Manor'. During the peak season, the Torbay Express train also visits here, while at Christmas, the Santa Express quickly becomes fully booked.
Open hours: April, May and October - selected dates only; June to September - daily
Admission: charge, discounts for children under 15 years old, families and seniors, children two years old and under are free

Paignton Zoo

Address: Totnes Road, Paignton, Torbay, Devon, TQ4 7EU, England, UK
Tel: +44 01803 697500
One of the biggest zoos in the United Kingdom and regarded as being amongst the very best, Paignton Zoo successfully combines animal attractions with botanical gardens, and now enjoys annual visitor numbers of more than 500,000 people. Since it opened in 1923, Paignton Zoo has grown considerably and is now called home by over 2,000 animals, which together represent around 300 different species. Favourites include crocodiles, elephants, giraffes, gorillas, kangaroos, lemurs, lions, meerkats, monkeys, orangutans, tortoises and zebras. Paignton Zoo has become known for its endangered Sumatran tigers and Black rhinos, both of which have enjoyed recent breeding success here. In the past, the zoo keepers have featured on both BBC and ITV documentaries, with cameras following their everyday work.
Open hours: daily - 10:00 to 17:00, extended opening hours during the summer
Admission: charge, discounts for children under 15 years old, students, families (two adults and two children) and seniors, children three years old and under are free, joint saver tickets with Living Coasts are available

Living Coasts

Address: Torquay Harbourside, Beacon Quay, Torquay, Torbay, Devon, TQ1 2BG, England, UK
Tel: +44 01803 202470
A sizeable coastal zoo, the Living Coasts stands upon Beacon Quay and was established as recently as 2004, by Paignton Zoo. Showcasing the wealth of coastal wildlife and seabirds from around the world, the attractions at the Living Coasts are quite varied and include everything from penguins, auks, guillemots, puffins, fur seals, a mangrove swamp and a tidal estuary, to a giant walk-through aviary and aquariums housing indigenous species, such as seahorses and cuttlefish. Various events take place here during the year, such as summer workshops, 'Shriek Week' and 'Spooktacular Sea Life Evenings' every October, and the 'Local Wildlife Day' each August.
Open hours: daily - 10:00 to 16:30
Admission: charge, discounts for children under 15 years old, students, families (two adults and two children) and seniors, children three years old and under are free, joint saver tickets with Paignton Zoo are available

Babbacombe Model Village

Address: Hampton Avenue, Babbacombe, Torquay, Torbay, Devon, TQ1 3LA, England, UK
Tel: +44 01803 315315
A charming miniature village attraction in Torquay, the incredibly detailed Babbacombe Model Village is spread over just over 1.6 hectares / 4 acres and now comprises in excess of 400 intricate model buildings, created to a 1/12th scale by local craftsmen. Look out for the miniatures of familiar stately homes, Stonehenge and Merrivale Castle, which successfully recreates the character and feel of medieval England, complete with a fire-breathing dragon. In the summer, magical evening illuminations transform the Babbacombe Model Village and provide a further level of interest. A realistic model railway winds its way around the gardens, crossing ravines and lakes, and heading through tunnels.
Open hours: daily - November, January and February - 10:30 to 17:30; March and October - 10:00 to 16:00; April, May and September - 10:00 to 16:30; June and July - 10:00 to 17:00; August - 10:00 to 21:30; December - 10:30 to 17:30
Admission: charge, discounts for children under 14 years old, families (two adults and two children) and seniors, children three years old and under are free, extra charge for 4D Theatre and workshops, seven-day holiday passes are available

Princess Theatre

Address: Princess Pier, Torbay Road, Torquay, Torbay, Devon, TQ2 5EZ, England, UK
Tel: +44 01803 290288
Located next to the Torquay harbourfront and the Princess Pier, the council-owned Princess Pier is the town's biggest theatre and can comfortably seat audiences of roughly 1,500 people. Opened in 1961, when the very first show included the likes of Tommy Cooper, Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise, the Princess Theatre has an extensive calendar of shows and performances throughout the year. These include ballets, touring musicals from the West End of London, ice skating shows, pop concerts, operas, comedy gigs and even wrestling, as well as a seasonal Christmas pantomime suiting all ages. Other Torbay theatres include the Babbacombe Theatre on the Babbacombe Downs, the Little Theatre at Meadfoot and the Palace Theatre at Paignton.
Open hours: hours vary according to performance
Admission: charge, discounts for children and seniors

Splashdown at Quaywest

Address: Goodrington Sands, Paignton, Torbay, Devon, TQ4 6LN, England, UK
Tel: +44 01803 555550
The perfect family attraction on a sunny day, Splashdown at Quaywest was formerly known as the Quaywest Waterpark and stands alongside the Goodrington Sands beach at Paignton. It is easy to spend an entire day here, swimming, zooming down the exciting flumes, tube rides, drop slides, and having lunch at the onsite restaurant, which serves everything from fish and chips, to chicken tikka masala. Recently completely revamped and updated, Splashdown also features paddling pools for younger children and a fun yellow submarine slide.
Open hours: late May to September, daily - 10:00 to 18:00; October and November, Saturday and Sunday - 10:00 to 18:00
Admission: charge, discounts for children under five years old, families (two adults and two children) and seniors

Babbacombe Cliff Railway

Address: Babbacombe Downs Road, Babbacombe, Torquay, Torbay, Devon, TQ1 3LF, England, UK
Tel: +44 01803 391415
Close to Babbacombe Model Village and off both Hampton Avenue and Higher Downs Road, the Babbacombe Cliff Railway is based in the town of Torquay, where it has connected Oddicombe Beach with Babbacombe Downs since 1926. After much renovation work between 2005 and 2008, ownership of this funicular railway has been passed to a local community group, known as the 'Friends of Babbacombe Cliff Railway'. The track is approximately 220 metres / 720 feet in length and descends some 73 metres / 240 feet, providing a popular and scenic way to reach the beachfront below. Each car is capable of transporting up to 40 standing passengers, with this journey saving quite a trek.
Open hours: daily, April and May - 09:30 to 17:00; June to September - 09:30 to 17:30
Admission: charge, discounts for children, adult season tickets are available