Torquay

Babbacombe sits above its own stretch of coast on the northern edge of Torquay, a village of steep lanes and sea views that feels distinct from the town centre below. It's home to Babbacombe Model Village, one of the area's best-known attractions, and to Rooms At Babbacombe for those who'd rather base themselves up here than down by the harbour. Torquay itself, the heart of the English Riviera, spreads around a curving bay of palm-lined promenades, a working harbour, and a seafront that's been drawing holidaymakers for generations.

Most visitors stay close to the water. The harbour area has Premier Inn Torquay Harbour among its options, while the seafront itself is lined with hotels including Premier Inn Torquay Seafront, the Riviera Hotel and Riviera Lodge Hotel, and Seascape Hotel. Further into town, guest houses such as Silverlands Guest House and self-catering options like Self Contained Rooms in Central Torquay give visitors a quieter, more central base within easy reach of the shops and restaurants.

Beneath the town, Kents Cavern offers a look into deep history, its caves having sheltered people for thousands of years, and it remains one of Torquay's standout attractions. Torre Abbey, with its medieval remains and gardens, adds another layer of the past to a town that's otherwise associated with Victorian and Edwardian seaside grandeur. For something more unusual, The Boulder Bunker and The Torquay Mystery Treasure Trail give visitors active ways to explore, while Torquay Alpine Ski Club is an unexpected find for a seaside resort.

Eating out in Torquay tends to follow the same pattern as its accommodation: plenty of choice clustered around the harbour and seafront, where the town's holiday atmosphere is at its liveliest. Whether you're staying at a seafront hotel or tucked away in Babbacombe, the bay and its attractions are never far off, and Torquay's mix of coastline, history and quirky diversions gives it a character that goes well beyond the standard seaside break.