Torquay For The Day

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Calendar iconPosted 26th Oct 2021

No visit to the English Riviera would be complete without exploring some of the great attractions and highlights of Torquay. It has been a holiday destination favourite with families for decades. Here we showcase some of the brilliant things to do in the town and how best to spend your leisure time. We’ll also look to answer some of the common questions about Torquay.

Attractions and things to do

If you’re visiting Torquay with the kids there are lots of family friendly attractions to choose from. Many attractions are also dog friendly. If you are visiting without a car there is a good public transport system with frequent buses, trains and taxis to transport you and your family in and around the town. There’s even a funicular railway to take you from the cliff tops at Babbacombe down to the beach!

Bygones

Experience the sights, sounds and smells of this life sized Victorian shopping street. This informative attraction has a wonderful recreation of shop fronts and displays from the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. A tremendous amount of detail has gone into recreating each scene. It is also dog friendly which is great if you have any four legged family members in tow.

bygones-victorian-museum

Babbacombe Model Village

This one is a firm favourite with visitors of all ages. The miniature scenes are fascinating and extremely detailed. Famous for its miniature landscaped gardens, little kids and big ones alike will love exploring the 400 models of houses, stately homes, factories, shops, entertainment venues and environmental features. Find out more about Babbacombe Model Village.

Babbacombe Model Village. Torquay.

Kents Caverns and Prehistoric Caves

This ancient cave network is a jaw dropping attraction to enjoy. There are lots of activities for kids as well as informative tours explaining the geology of the area and how prehistoric man lived in the cave systems. Find out more about Kents Caverns.

Kents Cavern

Dinosaur World

Take a further step back in time to Dinosaur World. As well as impressive life size models of dinosaurs the displays are packed full of interesting information. Younger visitors love digging for fossils and taking part in the quiz around the attraction.

Torquay's Dinosaur World

 

Where to eat

There are numerous cafes, restaurants and pubs to discover in the town. From small independent bistros and tapas eateries to seafood specialist restaurants. Here’s a short list of some of our favourites…

Small World Tapas

This relaxed eatery serves traditional Spanish sharing plates in a cosy, stone-lined dining room. You should expect amazing service and incredible food. The dishes are rich, authentic and imaginative.

Ollies

If you enjoy a proper Sunday lunch then make a bee line for this great little restaurant. The locally sourced ingredients are top quality and making all the dishes served here super tasty. If you’re a meat eater try the tomahawk sharing steak.

Number 7 Fish Bistro

This wonderful seafood restaurant has great harbour views to enjoy. Their regular menu is complimented by daily chalkboard specials ensuring you are served the freshest fish and shellfish from the local harbours. We recommend the seafood platter, the mussels, scallops and prawns taste incredible!

Saltwater Fish Restaurant

If you’re after a more traditional fish and chip meal Saltwater is a great option. They serve up the freshest and most sustainable fish available and have some great seafood on offer. They are located a short distance from Torquay’s picturesque harbourside and offer a takeaway service as well.

Jun Jaow Thai Restaurant

Book a table here and you’ll think you’ve been instantly transported to Thailand! The food tastes so authentic and the service is second to none.

Torquay frequently asked questions

What is the difference between Torquay and Torbay?

Torquay is a popular holiday destination town located on the south Devon coast. It is part of Torbay which is a curved stretch of coastline and which also encompasses the seaside towns of Paignton and Brixham.

What’s Torquay like?

The town of Torquay is a beautiful seaside town. Its reputation has been built around its popularity with holidaymakers which stretches back over hundreds of years. As such it is a more vibrant place to visit in the summer months. There are many attractions to visit as well as parks, clifftops and of course golden sandy beaches to enjoy.

How do you pronounce Torquay?

The pronunciation of Torquay can be problematic for some. Phonetically it is written as TAW KEE .

What is Torquay famous for?

Torquay is well know for its golden sandy beaches, family friendly attractions and Victorian architecture. However the town is probably best known as the setting for a hit comedy TV series Fawlty Towers. It is also of course the home of the Torquay United F.C. If you’re visiting during the football season come and cheer on the ‘The Gulls’.

 

We hope this has given you plenty of ideas when visiting Torquay for the day. If you’re yet to visit come and stay with us a short distance away in Paignton.  Book one of our luxury holiday lodges, caravans or on one of our spacious touring and camping pitches.
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