Hotel in Torquay - The Kingsholm

Tel: 01803 297794

Local Attractions - Things To See By Bus or Train

Things To See By Bus/Train

The following places of interest are a little further away but you can reach them by bus, train and steam train.

Cockington Village Torbay Coast & Countryside Trust

01803 606 035
This is a tranquil rural oasis yet only minutes from the urban seafront. On first sight you may just see a quaint village where several thatched houses are now used to provide souvenirs and cream teas. Take trouble to explore and you will find a Manor House with organic garden and craft studios, a Lutyens designed pub, and 6km of paths through the valley’s park and woodland. No wonder this is the nerve centre of Torbay Coast & Countryside Trust that manages so much of the spectacular open spaces around Torquay.

Occombe Farm

This is another wonderful project by Torbay Coast & Countryside Trust. They have purchased this undeveloped farm to safeguard ancient woodland and farmland. They are rearing traditional breeds of cattle and pigs on organic lines. The visitor centre with shop and café offers local Devon and organic food and drink. The nature trail passes through the new-planted orchard to ancient woodland with birdwatching hides.

Paignton Zoo

Paignton, Devon 01803 697500
Its not just for children! The lemurs uncaged and leaping through the woods are wonderful. This is one of Britain’s largest zoos with 80 acres of habitat zones.

Paignton & Dartmouth Steam Railway

Queens Park Station, Torbay Road, Paignton, Devon 01803 555872
The station is right opposite the Paignton Bus Station. The steam trains carry you past coast and countryside to Kingswear from whence a ferry crosses the River to Dartmouth. The railway passes Goodrington Sands and is carried over valleys by viaducts designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel. Dartmouth is one of the South West ports which rose to prominence as a result of Elizabethan adventurers such as Sir Francis Drake. Old Dartmouth crowds against the river and is full of maritime atmosphere.

Babbacombe Downs & Cliff Railway

Babbacombe Downs is a green promenade in front of the cliff top hotels of Babbacombe. It provides a short stroll between Babbacombe Theatre and Babbacombe Cliff Railway which will give you stunning views of red sandstone cliffs plunging to blue sea below. On fine days you can see as far as the Isle of Portland in Dorset.

Babbacombe Cliff Railway

The Cliff Railway was built in 1922. There are only 16 operational funicular railways in the country, the only other in the South West is at Lynton & Lynmouth on the North Devon coast. The railway carries you down a steep incline to Oddicombe Beach. Here you can bathe, sunbathe or follow the walkway beneath the cliffs to Babbacombe Beach which is a popular shore dive site.

Babbacombe Model Village

01803 315315
Popular with all ages the Model Village at Babbacombe is cleverly located in a narrow valley which leads you away from the world at large. There are over 400 models set in 4 acres which are illuminated after dark.

Goodrington Sand and Seaside Centre

Torbay Coast & Countryside Trust 01803 606035
Goodrington Sands is a family beach, with Quay West waterpark nearby. The Seaside Centre is a mine of information on rockpools, plankton and dolphin sightings.

Shaldon & Teignmouth

Shaldon lies on the south bank of the River Teign. It is a maze of narrow lanes and picturesque higgledy-piggledy cottages. From the Ness headland there is a walkway to the beach and access to the Shaldon Wildlife Trust (Ness Drive, Shaldon, Teignmouth, Devon TQ14 0HP 01626 872234).

The River Teign

Here the broad sand banks are a contrast to the pebble and rock shores of Torbay. You can cross the River Teign by a long road bridge with views of the commercial port or take a passenger ferry into the old riverfront of Teignmouth. To the East the town has all the character of the Victorian seaside with grand crescents and pier. Behind are the smaller streets of the seaside town.

Totnes

Kingsholm guests have enjoyed an open top bus ride to Totnes. This is an historic market town whose main street, with plenty of tea shops, rises from the River Dart to Totnes Castle. Make sure you take a detour to see the medieval Town Hall.

At Totnes you can pick up river trips. Alternatively opposite Totnes Railway Station you can board the steam train of the South Devon Railway which follows the River Dart to Buckfastleigh where you can visit the Otter and Butterfly Sanctuary (01364 642 916) and Buckfast Abbey.