Short answer: Kents Cavern is Britain's oldest prehistoric cave system and entirely underground — the best wet-day attraction in Devon. Babbacombe Model Village has an indoor enchanted section and includes adventure golf. Torquay's Dinosaur World by the harbour is small but indoors and cheap.
Of everywhere in this guide, Torquay has the most paid indoor attractions within a short drive of each other. If you are staying anywhere between Dartmouth and Teignmouth and the forecast collapses, this is where to point the car.
Guided tours through Britain's oldest prehistoric caves, and the best-run attraction in the bay — guides who are funny as well as knowledgeable, a woodland trail outside for when it clears, and a genuinely good restaurant. It is underground, so the weather is irrelevant. Book a time slot in season, and note the car park is small.
Four acres of miniature Britain with adventure golf included in the ticket price and a newer indoor enchanted section. Easily two to four hours. The catch is that most of it is outdoors and exposed — so it works in drizzle rather than a downpour. Dogs are allowed across most of the site but not the indoor parts.
Torquay's Dinosaur World, by the harbour near the Agatha Christie statue, is small — under an hour unless your child reads every sign — but it is indoors, it is cheap, and there are life-size models children can sit on plus a quiz sheet. As the thing you promise when the beach plan collapses, it works.
Cockington Country Park has no entrance fee — a thatched village, manor house, craft workshops and two tea rooms, plus a Lutyens-designed pub. The craft studios and tea rooms give you indoor stops between the showers, and the woodland paths are sheltered.
See the full Torquay guide, filtered by who's with you.
Plan your day near Torquay →