With its iconic palm trees, busy harbour, international marina, sandy award-winning beaches and wonderful array of continental style cafes, restaurants and cocktail bars, it’s no wonder this resort was voted the top trending holiday destination in 2021. It is the perfect destination for a long or short break and here is how we recommend spending 48 hours in Torquay.
Day One
After arriving and checking into one our holiday apartments there is time for you to unpack and unwind before the evening. If you chose to stay at Astor House, we recommend you book an apartment with a balcony so you can enjoy a glass of fizz on the balcony overlooking the sea before heading out!
For your first evening in Torquay, we recommend that a few cocktails and a nice meal out are in order! There is an abundance of eateries offering everything from Indian to French to the array of restaurants offering locally caught seafood. However, a personal favourite of ours is Amici’s – a modern Italian restaurant located just a stone’s throw away from the harbour. Starters start from £6 and main curses from £12, there is a wide range of pizza, pasta and meat dishes. As you would expect the wine menu compliments the food choice and choses only the best Italian wines. There is also a great children’s menu.
After your meal it is time to head out for a few drinks and take in the surrounding views of the harbour. A few favourite bars (that serves excellent cocktails!), include TwentyOne, Rock Garden, Wesup. There is also two Wetherspoons, an Irish Bar and a new wine bar called Eltons. Shiraz, Vaughans and Offshore are well worth a visit and all offer a large fabulous outside seating area overlooking the harbour.
Walk back along to your accommodation and enjoy the beautiful lights that light up Rock Walk and Torre Abbey Sands.
Day Two
Hopefully you’ll wake up to some fabulous weather, ready for a fun packed day! The only way to start the day off is with a hearty breakfast and we recommend breakfast at Visto Lounge. The menu offers everything from full English to pastries to new modern favourites like avocado on toast!
Next take the short five-minute walk to the harbour pontoon and book a boat trip around the bay. Most boat trips last around 2-4 hours and take in all the delights of the coastline, seeing the Bay from this unique angle is truly awe-inspiring and breath-taking. You never know you may even be lucky enough to spot dolphins, seals and even a basking shark!
What better way to recover from all that sea air to taking in some fresh country air and head to one of Torbay’s best kept secrets – Cockington Country Park. It is a beautiful mix of picturesque well-ordered garden landscapes, open parkland, rural countryside and substantial woodland. Tucked in amongst this 450-acre country park are three pretty ornamental lakes, an historic Manor House with craft centre and studios, an array of tea rooms and local village pub, delightful thatched cottages and a quaint 11th Century church.
Head back and get ready for an evening full of entertainment. We highly recommend a visit to The Princess Theatre which has been host to many musicals, comedians and well-known faces over the years.
Day Three
As it is your last day it’s time to make the most of it so get up early and explore Babbacombe. Just five minutes by car out of Torquay this jaw dropping scenic sub-town offers more than you think. Home to the world famous Babbacombe Model Village and Bygonnes you could easily spend two days here; however, we only have one day left! So, we suggest starting by taking the open top bus from the harbour up to Babbacombe Downs. For those that are of mobility walk down the steep hill (next to the Babbacombe Theatre) we promise you it is worth it! When you get to the bottom walk along the beach and follow the pathway along to Oddicombe Beach. This scenic walkway provides some of the most fabulous crystal-clear waters you will find anywhere in the UK. From this path there are fine views on a clear day across to Sidmouth and even as far as Portland Bill. Once at Oddicombe Beach go for a dip or enjoy a coffee in Three Degrees West, before getting the cliff railway back up that steep hill! The Babbacombe Cliff Railway line runs every day, with a closure period in winter for maintenance. Dating back to 1926, it has shuttled holiday makers to and from Oddicombe Beach for over 90 years! Once back at the top take a leisurely stroll along the downs and take those perfect holiday snaps from the top looking down!
After all that exercise there is only one thing for it – food!! As you are coming to Devon you need to finish off your trip with a Traditional Afternoon Tea and nowhere in the whole bay (possibly even the South West!), serves a better one than Angels Tea Rooms, on Babbacombe Downs overlooking the sea. Whatever you chose from a full high tea to a simply cream tea you won’t be disappointed (the cinnamon toast is to die for)! Booking is highly recommended as it is only small and they do get booked up.
Then it is time to head home and back to reality (or back for a rest)!
Links to some of the above as below:
https://www.angelsatbabbacombe.co.uk/
https://www.countryside-trust.org.uk/explore/cockington/
https://www.oddicombebeach.co.uk/
https://www.atgtickets.com/venues/princess-theatre-torquay/
https://www.babbacombecliffrailway.co.uk/
https://amicitorquay.co.uk/
https://thelounges.co.uk/visto/
