Places to go near Torquay?

[dseagull]

Morning

 

We are planning a holiday to Torquay in October - the boy gets 2 weeks half term as his school group all (or most!) inset days together in one block, which means we can take advantage of cheap holidays without having to risk the wrath of taking him out of school and the resulting fine!

 

I've been down there before, but not for many years, and it will be the first time for my wife and the kids (9 and 3). I know the South Devon Railway and will try to get at least one railway-related trip out, but would welcome any other ideas if anyone knows what might make a nice day out. Bearing in mind the time of year, indoor attractions also more than welcome! - and if Torquay United are at home on the Tuesday night, then my second trip to Plainmoor may beckon.

 

cheers.

[Horsetan]

Pity this place has closed

[edcayton]

Look for the combined trip on the Paignton-Kingswear line, boat up the River Dart and then on the South Devon Railway from Totnes to Ashburton Buckfastleigh (wishful thinking).

 

Ed

[MJI]

Railways

Torbay & Dartmouth

Dart Valley

One near Plymouth

Coastal ride to Exeter

 

River trip on Dart (Totnes to Dartmouth)

Boat trips between Brixham and Paignton or Torquay

 

House of Marbles Bovey Tracy

Trago

 

Dartmouth

Salcombe

Brixham

Paignton

Torquay

Slapton Sands

Totnes

Goodrington Sands

Newton Abbot

 

Some lovely pubs in the Dart villages

 

Brixham is an interesting working fishing harbour.

[jonny777]

If you are going to go to Dartmouth by car, I would advise using the park and ride facility at the top of the hill. Lots of spaces in that car park and the buses are quite frequent.

 

The town itself is a great place for a wander, although it would be better if certain classes of driver also tried the park and ride rather than ignoring the signs and then spending the next hour driving round and round the town centre hoping for someone to leave a parking space at the right time.

 

This advice also applies to just about every Cornish fishing village.

 

Sorry, rant over.

[gwrrob]

Babbacombe model village is superb especially at dusk with the lights on in the buildings.

[Reorte]

The Hanging Gardens of Babylon? Just watch out for the majestic herds of wildebeest sweeping across the plain.

[Glorious NSE]

Your 3 year old will probably love this place: https://www.devonrailwaycentre.co.uk/ - (you'll need to check the dates for October though) - our 2 year old loved it when we went a couple of weeks back. Plenty of indoor stuff (soft play in the goods shed, and ball pool/sand/model railways/brio in the coaches) if it's a semi-wet day. Right next door is Bickleigh mill, nice craft-ish store, café etc in the old mill, to give a bit of variety if not everyone likes trains...

(Edit - ball pool in a BG! Spot the small person! )



A day out in Exeter is doable by train, if you get an Exmouth bound train it'll take you straight up the hill to Exeter Central without changing, that would get you the rides along the sea wall on the way. Exeter city centre has loads of shops and a really great museum (it's free, very kid friendly and virtually next door to Exeter Central) - depending on what folk are into there's also a gothic cathedral, roman walls, medieval underground passages and so on...there's a good model shop nearby as well. http://www.trainsandtrack.co.uk/








 

[Joseph_Pestell]

One of the stopping points on the Dart cruises is Sharpham Estate, Vineyard and Cheese. Highly recommended.

[Kris]

Dartmoor can be amazing at that time of year. Go up the road towards Princetown from Ashburton, great riverside woodland scenery and walking (if that's what you want) followed by climbing onto the main parts of the moors. There really is not much in Princetown but the Fox Tor Cafe is good.

[2750Papyrus]

Dartmouth Park & Ride is not open all year (closed at Easter, for example).  We usually manage to find somewhere to park in town outside of summer holidays but may be time limited.

 

Once across the river, there are some super beaches in the South Hams (Bantham, Bigbury, Mothecombe etc) and some great cliff walks.

 

I believe Paignton Zoo is worth visiting, as is Dartmoor Zoo (of film fame) if still open. 

 

There are also a number of NT properties worth visiting including Greenways (Agatha Christie) and Coleton Fishacre (D'Oyly Cart). 

[nick_bastable]

a good if expensive model shop in paignton other side of the level crossing from the station

 

great seafood in Brixham

 

really liked Totnes probably because I obtained a MSS loco there ( wanted one for years)

 

South Devon railway with attached model shop

 

Devon railway Centre

[Oldddudders]

Babbacombe Cliff Railway, volunteer-run funicular, takes you down to Oddicombe Beach, where there are a cafe and loos. This is a stone's-throw from Babbacombe Model Village already mentioned. Also close by in St Marychurch is Bygones, a museum including a model railway, albeit of the trad museum roundy type. 

[rab]

Dartmoor can be amazing at that time of year. Go up the road towards Princetown from Ashburton, great riverside woodland scenery and walking (if that's what you want) followed by climbing onto the main parts of the moors. There really is not much in Princetown but the Fox Tor Cafe is good.

If you're into industrial archeology there's

the remains of the Haytor Granite tramway.

[Horsetan]

Dartmoor can be amazing at that time of year. Go up the road towards Princetown from Ashburton, great riverside woodland scenery and walking (if that's what you want) followed by climbing onto the main parts of the moors. There really is not much in Princetown but the Fox Tor Cafe is good.

HMP Dartmoor? If only for the sense of bleak desolation.....

[HSB]

Paignton Zoo and it's associated Living Coasts by Torquay harbour.

Also the smaller Shaldon Zoo.

Trago Mills has a large play area for kids as well as a large model railway and a miniature railway.

[Robert]

Dartmoor is a wonderful, mysterious and fantastic place.

 

One place to avoid (although it is probably not too interesting for the children, anyway) is Castle Drogo.  Normally it would be to recommend, but it is currently in the process of a five year renovation to make it water-tight, and was very disappointing when we visited a couple of years ago.  Practically all the furniture has been moved out, and the architectural features have been boarded up with plywood!  That is definitely one to go and see when the renovations are finished.