Top 10 Things to do in Torquay, England

TOADS Theatre Company - Torbay's premier drama venue! Welcome to TOADS Theatre Company in Torquay. Winner of the South Devon Drama Federation awards for: Best Supporting Actor 2014 for "Double Cut" Best Supporting Actress 2013 for "Time Was" Best Production 2012 and Best Actor 2012 for "Death of a Salesman" The Little Theatre promises to be a great night out with something to entertain everyone, from well-known classics, thrillers and comedies to ground-breaking works which offer challenges to audiences and performers alike. Have we got you interested? Then drop in and visit us! We look forward to seeing you.

Welcoming visitors for over 800 years . . . Torre Abbey is Torbay's most historic building, a scheduled ancient monument dating back to 1196 and set within 18 acres of garden and parkland. It’s also a multi-award-winning visitor attraction housing an impressive art collection boasting over 600 incredible works of art from the 18th century to the present day. Meanwhile, our 800 Years Gallery uses state-of-the-art technology to tell the abbey’s fascinating story through videos, talking portraits and interactive displays. This Torbay Council-owned museum and gardens is also a centre for creativity and culture, offering events and workshops as well as hosting world-class exhibitions alongside creative work from the cream of local talent. We also pride ourselves on being family friendly with a range of activities available for youngsters, both inside the historic buildings and outside in our gardens. Visit our website for the latest information about our COVID19 safety measures.

Discover more about this popular and intriguing writer by following this one-mile trail that leads to places she knew and loved: along the busy harbor and stretching along the palm-lined seafront and promenades.

Kents Cavern, a UNESCO site, is Britain's Oldest known prehistoric home. You are led by a guide through a labyrinth of undergound natural passages used by humankind for thousands of years. Neanderthals and the very first Britons occupied the caves. Here Victorian explorers combined geological time and fossil remains to reveal the antiquity of humanity. Open daily for guided tours. See natural caverns, amazing formations, remains of mammoth, woolly rhino, sabre-toothed cats. These is an Ice Age woodland trail quest, shop and restaurant with views over the Ilsham Valley. Located in Torquay, birth place of Agatha Christie, the caves are part of the English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark, 1.5kms from Torquay Harbour, close to the South West Coast Path. The caves inspired writers like Agatha Christie, Beatrix Potter and more recently folk-horror writer Adam Nevill. Perfect on any day all year. Pre-booking online essential to visit this UNESCO geological and cultural heritage site.

Babbacombe Model Village is Torquay's most popular and visited attraction. Representing British life and culture over the last five decades all in miniature. Animated scenes, along with touches of very English humour bring it all to life. Taking you on a fun, informative and nostalgic trip through the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s to present day, it has appeal for all ages. Famous for its lovely setting in 4 acres of award-winning gardens that are a delight to experience all year round. See website for opening times

Cockington Country Park surrounds the picture postcard Cockington Village which lies just off the seafront near Torquay. The Country Park is free to walk around and features beautiful formal gardens, lakes and woodlands which can be enjoyed via a network of paths. Cockington Court and Cafe are nearby, along with a collection of craft studios where you can browse the creations of local artists and crafts people. The Cockington Country Park is cared for by local charity the Torbay Coast & Countryside Trust, who's volunteers operate a Visitor Centre in the village. Car parking is chargeable, although Trust members can park for free in the Trust's car park. Visit our website for more details. The park is open from dawn until dusk.

Bygones is three floors of pure nostalgia for ALL AGES! Whether it be History, Railwayana or Militaria, you will reminisce! Wander back in time, visit our authentic life-size Victorian Street, see the Blacksmith hard at work, smell the treats of the Sweetshop, listen to the hustle and bustle of Victorian life. Imagine yourself in the nursery, kitchen, parlour or even the dentist! As you meander up to the top floor, hop on the 27-ton steam engine en route! Arrive in the 20th Century, take a break in our Station Café for a range of cakes and refreshments. Marvel over our completely refurbished model railway themed around English villages in WWI and WWII. Consider your ancestors in a WWI trench or taking cover in a WWII Anderson Shelter. Don’t miss the 1950’s and 60’s shopping arcade filled with post-war packaging and household items.

A valuable asset to the English Riviera the Babbacombe Theatre in Torquay, is renowned for wowing audiences with their highly acclaimed family variety shows, performed with professional casts, throughout the year. ‘Fabulous’ is the word most used in reviews on TripAdvisor, Google and the venues social media pages for their annual seasonal shows. The company are hoping that audiences will feel that the new productions for 2020, SuperStars & I Love Music will be as FAB-U-LOUS, if not even more so! Each show will feature some of the most iconic names in music, TV and the movies, whilst embracing the comedic talents of the headlining acts. For details about all the shows programmed this season at one of Devon’s top theatres (as rated by TripAdvisor), including SuperStars & I Love Music; please refer to the venues website. The theatre has access for wheelchair users with an accessible toilet, wheelchair spaces & Loop System.