It’s very easy to fill a week using Torquay as your base. Here’s a few ideas. I’ve kept the descriptions quite short but added lots of links to my other blogs with more info on each or to the actual websites of the places mentioned. Have fun exploring and you’ll soon see why any less than three or four days is impossible to fit everything in.
Day One
As it’s your first day, why not stay local and check out your surroundings on foot. Maybe walk to the thatched village of Cockington and explore the craft village and have a mid-morning cup of tea at one of the cafés and possibly lunch at the Drum Inn by the open fire.
Take our woodland walk back to the seafront and walk along the promenade into Torquay harbour. Just off the harbour you’ve got Torquay Museum with ever changing displays, or just enjoy a drink al-fresco in the English Riviera sun.
Head back via Rock Walk and if you’ve got the energy, climb up to the viewing platform to enjoy the views. Alternately, take a ride on the English Riviera Wheel for a similar view.
If you’ve got time, visit Torre Abbey on the way back but be warned, there’s more to it than meets the eye – as well as ancient abbey ruins, there’s a cultivated garden, glass houses, a museum, art gallery and stately home to explore.
Day Two
After all that walking, maybe hop in the car and explore some National Trust or English Heritage properties today. There’s so many to choose from but my favourites would be Agatha Christie’s home at Greenway, Coleton Fishacre for the fabulous gardens and perhaps Berry Pomeroy Castle but it’s really hard to choose.
Day Three
Babbacombe is only a ten minute drive or you can follow the walk we’ve put together. There’s plenty to fill a day with Tessier Gardens on route, a spot of shopping in St Marychurch, the Model Village and then down the funicular Babbacombe Cliff railway to Oddicombe Beach and perhaps over to Cary Arms for a drink whilst watching out for Sammy the seal. If you want a really full day, you might be able to squeeze in Kents Cavern too.
Day Four
Why not do the Round Robin today? Take a ferry or train over to Paignton, and catch the steam train there which follows the stunning south Devon coastline to Kingswear. You can then hop on a foot passenger ferry over to Dartmouth and explore, then take a river cruise to Totnes which is an interesting town with shops, a castle and museum. You can catch a bus back to Paignton or Torquay from Totnes.
Day Five
Why not visit Paignton Zoo today, which is really big and a lovely day out. You could leave enough time to get back to Torquay and enjoy afternoon tea at The Grand overlooking the sea or maybe catch the Open Top Bus and learn lots of facts on the way round. It might be a good day to go to one of our four thriving theatres in the evening.
Day Six
Day six already. Let’s go a little further today and explore Dartmoor. There’s so much to see and do so there’s plenty to fill a day. How about including Dartmoor Prison Museum, lunch at one of the many pubs, a short walk and some antique shopping on the way back?
Day Seven
How about a walk today along the South West Coastal path? Maybe take a ferry to Brixham then walk back along the coast? It’s a lovely walk back via secluded coves and some stunning scenery. Brixham has some independent shops, Berry Head Nature Reserve, a traditional fishing harbour and an outdoor lido at Shoalstone.
As you can see, seven days is barely long enough to touch the surface of South Devon. That’s why so many of our guests come back time and time again and keep exploring more of the area each time.