Real, curated ideas for Torquay's beaches, the caves, Babbacombe and places to eat — filtered by who's actually with you.
Torquay is the biggest town on this coast and the one with the most to actually do in it. Palm trees, a harbour full of boats, and — unusually for Devon — a proper concentration of paid attractions, which means it is the most weatherproof destination in the county. Kents Cavern and Babbacombe Model Village between them can fill a wet day without anyone complaining.
It is also a town of distinct pockets rather than one seafront. The harbour and Victoria Parade are where the eating and drinking are. Babbacombe, up on the cliffs to the north, is quieter and prettier and has its own beaches and the cliff railway down to them. Meadfoot, east of the harbour, is the locals' swimming beach. Cockington, inland, is a thatched village and country park that feels nothing like the rest of it.
Be realistic about the town centre — parts of it have seen better days, and reviews will tell you so. The bay, the beaches and the Babbacombe end are what people come back for, and they are genuinely good.
Listings last checked: September 2026
Torre Abbey Sands, the main town beach — wide, sandy and the cleanest stretch in central Torquay, with plenty of paid parking nearby. Dogs are banned over the summer months. The palm trees along the front are the thing everyone photographs.
The quieter one east of the harbour, mixed sand and pebble with beach huts, a café and calm water that suits swimming and paddleboarding. You can reach London Bridge Arch from here by kayak. Parking is very limited and the on-street spaces are gone by nine.
The beach below Babbacombe, reached by the cliff railway or a steep walk down — sheltered, calm, with deck chairs, kayak and paddleboard hire, a café and a shop. It is coarse shingle rather than sand. Dogs are not allowed on the beach at any time of year.
Small shingle beach with unusually clear water and rock pools, below the cliffs at Babbacombe. The road down is steep with sharp bends and the walk down through the trees is the nicer approach. Café on site and clean paid toilets.
A secluded cove north of Torquay, down a long flight of steep steps that rules it out for many. Worth it for a quiet swim, and dramatic out of season when the sea is up. Seasonal café, paddleboard hire, and a good pub within walking distance.
Guided tours through Britain's oldest prehistoric caves, and the best-run attraction in Torquay — guides who are funny as well as knowledgeable, a woodland trail outside, and a genuinely good restaurant. Book a slot in season; the car park is small.
Four acres of miniature Britain with adventure golf included in the ticket, an indoor enchanted section and a fire-breathing dragon. Easily two to four hours. Dogs allowed across most of the site but not the indoor bits. Hilly and exposed, so check the forecast.
A funicular running since 1926, connecting Babbacombe Downs to Oddicombe Beach in about four minutes. Cheap, card payment only, fully wheelchair accessible, and dogs travel year-round even though they cannot use the beach. There is a small museum at the bottom.
A thatched village, manor house, craft workshops, lakes, woodland walks and playgrounds — all with no entrance fee, which makes it the best value day out in Torquay. Two tea rooms and a Lutyens-designed pub on site. Parking gets difficult when busy.
A small indoor dinosaur attraction by the harbour with life-size models children can sit on and a quiz sheet on the way round. Genuinely small — under an hour unless your child reads every sign — so judge the family ticket price accordingly. Good in the rain.
The best coffee and brunch in Torquay by a distance — everything baked from scratch, sourdough toasties, a display of sweet things that changes daily, and sheltered outdoor seats with a sea view. Closed Fridays.
Café bar on Victoria Parade doing cream teas, afternoon tea, sharing platters and very generously filled sandwiches, with a dog-friendly welcome and outside seating. Reliable wifi, which makes it the one to know if you need to sit and work.
Tucked above the beach huts at Meadfoot, with outdoor tables facing the sea and food made to order. Open in poor weather when other beach cafés give up, which locals rate it for.
Seafood-led restaurant and cocktail bar facing Torre Abbey Sands — octopus, paella and cold seafood platters, at prices that are fair for the setting. Open from nine, so it works for breakfast as well as dinner.
Steaks, chateaubriand and some of the best cocktails in the bay, on Torwood Street. Children's roasts get the same care as the adult ones on Sundays. Closed Mondays and the evening booking is worth making.
Tapas-style plates and a rooftop garden bar with harbour views — the late option in Torquay, open past midnight at weekends. The setting and the service are the draw; portions are small for the money.
Relaxed harbourside spot doing breakfast through to dinner, burgers and pasta, with outdoor tables and a genuinely dog-friendly welcome. The dependable all-day choice on Victoria Parade.
Big family pub inland with a beer garden, mixed grills, lamb shanks and a kitchen that copes with a full room. Water bowls brought out for dogs without asking. Not scenic, but the most reliable large-group meal in Torquay.