Babbacombe Model Village Tours

Torquay’s Babbacombe Model Village is a fun and charming destination that’s suitable for the whole family. It’s a representation of English village life in miniature, with cottages, gardens, and transport, as well as well-known landmarks such as Stonehenge and Windsor Castle. There are more than 400 models, and approximately 13,000 miniature people, so there’s a lot to see here.

The Basics
Both adults and kids will enjoy Babbacombe’s model village, gardens, tearooms, and indoor displays. Humorous touches are scattered throughout, and while not all of it is obvious, it’s a fun thing for visitors to look out for—keep an eye out for the dragon that breathes fire over Windsor Castle. Most travelers visit Babbacombe independently while spending time in the picturesque, popular town of Torquay.

Things to Know Before You Go

• Tickets are usually for single entry, but if you want to return within seven days to check out the evening illuminations, get your ticket validated before you leave.
• Allow at least two hours for touring Babbacombe—it’s much larger than many visitors realize.
• Kids can pick up a “spotter sheet” on arrival, which includes items that they need to search for throughout the park.
• Access to the park is via some steep slopes, which can be difficult for manual wheelchair users to navigate.

How to Get There
The Babbacombe Model Village is a couple miles north of central Torquay. The easiest way to get there is by private vehicle, as it’s about a 6-minute drive. Alternatively, it’s about a 30- to 40-minute walk from central Torquay.

When to Get There
Opening times vary depending on the season, and the park is busiest during school holidays. Since most of the displays are outdoors, it’s best to visit when the weather is fine. A beautiful time to visit is during evening illuminations, generally held once a week in the summer months and during special occasions at other times.

Visit Torquay’s Dinosaur World
Another fun, family-friendly attraction in Torquay is Dinosaur World. On display are life-size models of dinosaurs and real fossils, and kids can even ride on some of the dinosaurs. It’s educational as well as entertaining, and interactive features such as seasonal quizzes keep kids interested.