Discover 11 hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in Torquay (United Kingdom). Don't miss out on these must-see attractions: Kents Cavern, Torre Abbey, and Cockington Court. Also, be sure to include Town Hall in your itinerary.
Below, you can find the list of the most amazing places you should visit in Torquay (England).
Table of Contents
Kents Cavern
Ancient cave network . Kents Cavern is a cave system in Torquay, Devon, England. It is notable for its archaeological and geological features. The cave system is open to the public and has been a geological Site of Special Scientific Interest since 1952 and a Scheduled Ancient Monument since 1957.[1]
Address: 89/91 Ilsham Road, TQ1 2JF Torquay
Torre Abbey
Medieval abbey and gardens with tearoom. Torre Abbey is a historic building and art gallery in Torquay, Devon, which lies in the South West of England. It was founded in 1196 as a monastery for Premonstratensian canons, and is now the best-preserved medieval monastery in Devon and Cornwall. In addition to its medieval and Georgian rooms, Torre Abbey is known for the formal gardens on Abbey Park and Meadows, for the third largest art collection in the county of Devon and for regular exhibitions by contemporary artists.[2]
Address: Torre Abbey The Kings Drive, TQ2 5JE Torquay
Cockington Court
Cockington Court, near Torquay in Devon, England, is Grade II* listed on the English Heritage Register. The manor dates back to Saxon times, and is mentioned in the Doomsday Book. The current house was built in the 16th century, when it was owned by the Cary family. Today it is a craft centre and a venue for special events.[3]
Town Hall
Torquay Town Hall is a municipal building in Castle Circus in Torquay, Devon, England. The building, which is the meeting place of Torbay Council, is a Grade II listed building.[4]
Museum
Museum in Torquay, England. Torquay Museum is a museum in the town of Torquay, Devon, England. The building has been a grade II listed building since 1975.[5]
Address: 529 Babbacombe Road, TQ1 1HG Torquay
Living Coasts
Zoo and sea life aquarium. Living Coasts was a coastal zoo at the site of Torquay Marine Spa in Devon, England. It was owned by South West Environmental Parks as part of the Wild Planet Trust, formerly known as Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust, which also operates Newquay Zoo and Paignton Zoo. It was a registered charity, based around seabirds and other coastal wildlife. The site had a covered giant aviary which included several animal enclosures and habitats including an artificial tidal estuary, a penguin beach, a tropical mangrove swamp, and underwater viewing areas.
Living Coasts was also home to the oldest African Penguin in the UK, named Pat, before he was euthanized in 2015 at the age of 37.
Living Coasts was Britain's first and only coastal zoo. It was a member of the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA), the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA), and the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA).
On 16 June 2020, Living Coasts announced it would not be reopening following its closure during the COVID-19 pandemic.[6]
Address: 1 Beacon Hill, TQ1 2BG Torquay
Plainmoor
Stadium in Torquay, England. Plainmoor is an association football stadium located in the Plainmoor suburb of Torquay, Devon, England. Since 1921, the stadium has been the home of Torquay United Football Club, who currently compete in the National League, the fifth tier of English football. During the first half of the 2018-19 National League South season, the stadium also hosted Truro City games.[7]
Address: Plainmoor Ground, TQ1 3PS Torquay
Princess Theatre
Theatre in Torquay, England. The Princess Theatre in Torquay, England is a 1,500 seat theatre that first opened its doors on Wednesday 7 June 1961. Top of the bill on opening night were Tommy Cooper and Morecambe & Wise.
The theatre is a touring house and shows a variety of productions including opera, ballet, concerts, wrestling, ice shows & West End musicals and a Christmas pantomime.
The theatre was built by Torbay Council as the main feature of the redevelopment of the Princess Gardens area on Torquay seafront. The theatre replaced a marquee which was erected annually to house light entertainment.
Theatres in seaside resorts are traditionally known for their annual Summer Season consisting of light entertainment and family variety shows and Torquay is no exception. In the past the Princess Theatre has seen artistes such as Jim Davidson, Jethro and Jimmy Cricket making regular appearances. However summer 2002 saw a change from the traditional line-up to a 6-week run consisting of two West End musicals Grease and Chicago. Summer 2003 saw a similar occurrence, featuring The Blues Brothers, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Boogie Nights, with musicals proving to be a popular choice for the local people of Torbay as well as the holidaymakers.
The Princess Theatre hosts musicals from two local groups; TOADS Stage Musical Company and TOPS.[8]
Address: Torbay Road, TQ2 5EZ Torquay
Babbacombe Model Village
Tourist attraction in Torquay, England. Babbacombe Model Village is a miniature village and railway located in Babbacombe in Torquay, Devon.
The model village was opened in 1963 by Tom & Ruth Dobbins, who had previously opened another model village at Southport in 1957.[9]
Address: Torquay, Hampton Avenue, Babbacombe, Torquay, Devon, TQ1 3LA
Beacon Quay
Beach
Mallock Memorial Clock Tower
The Mallock Memorial Clock Tower is situated at the harbourside in Torquay, Devon, England. It is a Grade II Listed Building, and was first listed in 1975.[10]