Beaches in Torquay
With its palm-lined promenade, red sandstone cliffs and sparkling coastal waters, Torquay has long been one of South Devon’s most popular seaside destinations. Nestled within the shelter of Tor Bay, the town has earned the nickname, the English Riviera, and amongst its many prized attractions are a host of local beaches. From peaceful coves to places to paddleboard or simply watch the sunset, Torquay has beaches for every mood, many of which are connected to the South West Coast Path, so you can combine walking and exploration with rest and relaxation.
Torre Abbey Sands
Perhaps Torquay’s best-known beach, Torre Abbey Sands is in a prime position between the marina and Torre Abbey Meadows. At low tide, it offers a wide expanse of golden sand to explore, making it a fantastic destination for families and eager sandcastle builders. The shallow water and gentle slope into the sea make it particularly popular with children and swimmers, while the promenade offers easy access for pushchairs and wheelchairs.
The beach is overlooked by cafés, restaurants and the town’s seafront, with plenty of opportunities to stop for an ice cream or enjoy lunch overlooking the bay. There’s also deckchair hire and a designated windsurfing area. On a practical note, there’s on street pay and display parking along Torquay Road, as well as nearby car parks, toilets, and a dog exercise area on Torre Abbey Meadows. However, dogs are not allowed on the beach from 1st May to 30th September.
Maidencombe Beach
Tucked beneath the wooded cliffs on the northern edge of Torquay, Maidencombe Beach feels wonderfully removed from the busier stretches of the English Riviera. This small, sheltered cove has a sand and shingle beach framed by greenery, with clear waters that make it a lovely spot for a swim on calmer days.
The beach is reached via a fairly steep path and steps, but its peaceful setting makes the journey worthwhile. The South West Coast Path runs close by, so you can combine a visit with a coastal walk towards Babbacombe or Shaldon, while the village of Maidencombe offers a handful of places to stop for food and refreshments nearby.
Oddicombe Beach
Situated under the dramatic red cliffs of Babbacombe, Oddicombe Beach combines spectacular scenery with an innate sense of heritage – not least because you can travel to it on the Babbacombe Cliff Railway in a tradition that goes back to 1926.
You can park on the street and walk down a steep road and over-sized steps to reach the shingle sands, which usually offer calm waters for swimming, kayaking and paddleboarding, thanks to the surrounding landscape. There’s deckchair, boat and pedalo hire (seasonally) as well as a beach shower and toilets (also open seasonally), a cafe and beach huts.
Oddicombe Beach is a unique place to spend time and is especially popular for the views across the bay. Like many beaches in the area, dogs aren’t permitted from 1st May to 30th September, but there is a dog exercise area on Babbacombe Beach.
Babbacombe Beach
A quiet, sheltered shingle and pebble cove in Torquay, Babbacombe Beach offers a quieter alternative to some of Torquay’s busier locations, sitting below Babbacombe Downs. Perfect for rock pooling and discovering the magic of marine life, the tranquil waters are also popular with scuba divers, swimmers, sailers, and anglers.
There’s a small pay and display car park, as well as some free street parking close by, and you take a steep road, steps, and a slipway to reach the sand. Dogs are allowed on the beach all year round, and when it comes to food and drink the renowned Cary Arms & Spa sits right on the quayside. It’s a lovely place to settle in for the day.
Beacon Cove
Close to Torquay Harbour, near Haldon Pier, Beacon Cove is a tiny sheltered beach that often flies under the radar of visitors. Comparatively small, it’s a favourite with local swimmers, enjoying a sheltered spot, and was famously a favourite swimming spot of murder mystery writer, Agatha Christie.
Livermead Sands
Livermead Sands is a quieter beach that’s for those in the know, it’s a pretty combination of shingle and red sand, with space for beach games and paddleboarding. It can feel a bit calmer than other parts of Torquay in the height of summer. It’s also a designated waterskiing area.
Corbyn Beach
Corbyn Beach is a pretty stretch of sand with excellent facilities close by and offering easy access. Flanked by colourful beach huts which are available to hire, there’s also beach deckchair hire, and the Corbyn Beach Cafe is handy for refreshments including ice cream and cakes.
Anstey’s Cove
A secluded shingle beach and a favourite among locals, Anstey’s Cove is one of Torquay’s hidden gems. This is very much a beach for enjoying the natural beauty of the area rather than looking for lots of provided entertainment.
It’s perfect for swimming, kayaking, and paddleboarding, and there’s also the Ansteys Cove Beach Cafe alongside it, with seating and refreshments. An award-winning haven, there’s rock pooling to be done and views to simply sit back and enjoy, and it welcomes dogs all year round.
Meadfoot Beach
A pretty walk from Torquay Harbour and you will find Meadfoot Beach – a Blue Flag beach on one of the most picturesque parts of the coastline. Framed by dramatic cliffs, it has a quieter atmosphere than Torre Abbey Sands, and is primarily shingle, with clear waters popular for swimming, kayaking and paddleboarding. It’s also an excellent place to enjoy sunrise or sunset. For walkers, it sits on a two-mile loop around Daddyhole Plain, while the Meadfoot Beach Cafe close by offers a menu that ranges from hearty fare to cakes.
In terms of accessibility, there are sloping paths and steps to reach the beach. There’s a small car park on Meadfoot Road that’s a five-minute walk away, and it’s generally considered too steep for wheelchairs. There are toilets close by that are open seasonally, as well as beach hut and deckchair hire. For those with four-legged friends, dogs are not allowed on the southern part of Meadfoot Beach from 1st May to 30th September.
Where to stay in Torquay
Torquay has been a fashionable holiday destination for centuries, attracting visitors for its coastal wellbeing, natural beauty, and the vivacity of the seaside town. Its grand Italianate villas dating to the 1800s prompted the moniker, the ‘English Riviera’, and its attraction as a place to holiday in South Devon continues to this day.
For those visiting the area, there’s a wide variety of holiday cottages in Torquay to choose from, whether you’re looking for a group getaway with friends, a romantic retreat, or a family holiday for multiple generations. From glamorous houses to cosy cottages, sea views to places to stay right in the heart of town, there’s a whole host of holiday homes to choose from.
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