Events and Attractions around Torquay

Beaches

Torquay is spoilt for choice with 22 miles of coastline and more than 20 beaches in and around the Torbay area.

Anstey’s Cove

Seaside Award winner 2022
Nestled between Torquay and Babbacombe, this quiet little cove with its shingle beach and incredibly clear water, is at the foot of a long staired walkway which descends through woodlands and a wildlife reserve which attracts a variety of plants, butterflies and birds. It’s quite a long walk down but it’s worth it! Firstly for the spectacular views of dramatic rocks and limestone cliffs as you walk but when you arrive, you’ll find a charming beach cafe where you can eat and also hire kayaks and paddle boards, sunbeams and deckchairs.

Babbacombe Beach

Situated very close to Oddicombe Beach, there is a newly installed wooden walkway between there and Babbacombe Beach which makes it a very short walk from one to the other.

The walk features a mini waterfall and a wooden bridge. In fact with this, you can make a circular walk starting at the Babbacombe Theatre on Babbacombe Downs, walking downhill towards the picturesque Cary Arms Hotel and Bar, along Babbacombe Beach and the beach walkway to Oddicombe, and then ride the Cliff Railway back up to Babbacombe Downs for ice cream!

It’s just a short walk to the Babbacombe Model Village from here.

Beacon Cove

This is a tiny secluded shingle cove with a promenade and great views. Once a favourite spot for the young Agatha Christie, this jem is located very close to Torquay Marina. It’s close to all the amenities of the marina, including a car park and toilets, and it is wheelchair accessible. It’s quite sheltered too making it very suitable for sunbathing.

Meadfoot Beach

Blue Flag & Seaside Award winner 2022

A mile from Torquay Harbour, Meadfoot Beach is very accessible with a slope onto the promenade, a slipway and ample car parking.

It’s great for views of the uninhabited island, "Thatcher’s Rock", and the breathtaking headland of Berry Head and Brixham in the distance. Meadfoot is a popular spot for fishing with some great rock pools exposed during low tide. It’s also perfect for a shoreline dip or a more energetic swim along the rugged coastline for keen wild swimmers.

During the peak months of July and August, this Blue Flag beach is supervised with onsite services, including a first aid and lost child centre, warning flags, and patrol boats.

The colourful beach huts located on two levels at the south end of the beach can be hired throughout the year, and the upper tiered chalets even have their own balconies.

On the promenade, Meadfoot Beach Café serves delicious home cooked food and has great views of the beach.

Oddicombe Beach

A Blue Flag beach for an impressive 33 years with red sand, colourful beach huts, toilets, a beach shop and a Bar/Bistro.

This beach also has the benefit of the unique Babbacombe Cliff Railway - a handy and quaint way to get up/down to the beach instead of walking!

Oddicombe beach is situated very close to Babbacombe beach. With the newly installed wooden walk-way between these two little coves, they are now only a very short walk apart. The walk winds around the coast, past a mini waterfall and over a wooden bridge. With this in place, it now offers a beautiful circular walk. You can start from the top of Babbacombe Downs, near the Babbacombe Theatre, walk down the winding hill towards The Cary Arms & Spa, along the beach walk-way to Oddicombe and then take a ride up the Cliff Railway for ice cream at the top - or take in a visit the Babbacombe Model Village!

Torre Abbey Sands

Blue Flag & Seaside Award winner 2022. This is Torquay’s main beach which has the main Torquay to Paignton road running alongside it which makes it very accessible.

This gently sloping tidal beach has a fantastic long stretch of red sand and is very safe for swimming and perfect for families with young children wishing to paddle in the clear, blue sea.

For water sport enthusiasts this beach has been designated a windsurfing area and a variety of water sport facilities are available in the summer months. There’s plenty of street parking adjacent to the promenade and car parks within a few minutes walking distance. It couldn’t be easier!

There are also plenty of other attractions nearby to visit including the Royal Terrace Gardens also known as ‘Rock Walk’ with its winding cliffside walk-way and illuminated staircase offering stunning views across the Bay and Torquay’s iconic spiral white seafront bridge is also a great viewing platform to take some great photos! The pretty Princess Gardens, Princess Pier and Abbey Park and Meadows are also worth a visit and you can round off your day watching the sun set from any of the excellent beachfront bars.