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Torre Abbey, Torquay

Companionship careTorbay

Days out in Torbay for an older parent

Nine places in Torbay that make a good day out for an older parent, from Torre Abbey to Berry Head National Nature Reserve. For each one: what its own access information confirms, what it costs, how long to allow, and the carers nearby who drive and could take them.

Researched by PrimeCarers from each place’s own website and access information  ·  Updated September 2026

Torre Abbey. Photo: Dee8654, CC BY-SA 3.0

Nine days out across five towns

The best places to take an older parent in Torbay

Four of them are free to visit or to walk around. The access information for one describes a step-free route, and five confirm an accessible toilet. Where a place does not publish its access, we say so.

Torre Abbey, Torquay

Photo: Dee8654, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Museum · Torquay

Torre Abbey

Torre Abbey is a 12th-century abbey turned country house on the Torquay seafront, now a historic house and art gallery with medieval undercrofts and changing exhibitions. Its gardens include a palm house and a garden of plants that inspired Agatha Christie's poisons.

There is level access to the undercrofts, entrance and café, a glass lift to most other areas including the galleries, plenty of disabled toilets and a few disabled parking spaces in the grounds.

Time to allow
Half a day
Cost
Paid entry

What their access information confirms

  • Partly step-free
  • Accessible toilet
  • Blue Badge parking
  • Café

Their websiteAccess information

Carers who drive, based near Torquay

Cockington Court and Country Park, Cockington

Photo: Nilfanion, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Park · Cockington

Cockington Court and Country Park

Cockington is a village of thatched cottages on the edge of Torquay, with a manor house, Cockington Court, set in a country park of gardens, lakes and woodland. The court houses craft studios and a café, and there are walks down to the sea.

Accessible toilets are available at the manor house, and a carer can plan a gentle stroll from the court into the gardens and the village rather than the longer woodland paths.

Time to allow
Half a day
Cost
Free

What their access information confirms

  • Accessible toilet

Their websiteAccess information

Carers who drive, based near Cockington

Torquay Museum, Torquay

Photo: Lewis Clarke, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Museum · Torquay

Torquay Museum

Torquay Museum has natural history galleries, finds from Kents Cavern, local history and a gallery on Agatha Christie, who was born in Torquay. Some items in the natural history gallery can be handled.

All the galleries are fully accessible for wheelchair users by ramp, lift and stair lift, there are accessible toilets on two floors, and one disabled parking space can be reserved by phone.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Paid entry

What their access information confirms

  • Step-free route
  • Accessible toilet
  • Blue Badge parking

Their websiteAccess information

Carers who drive, based near Torquay

Kents Cavern, Torquay

Photo: Nilfanion, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Day out · Torquay

Kents Cavern

Kents Cavern is a network of prehistoric caves in Torquay where some of the oldest human remains in Britain have been found. Guided tours lead through chambers of stalactites and stalagmites, and there is a café and visitor centre.

The cave route is mostly flat concrete with only nine shallow steps and plenty of headroom, though wheelchairs can only reach the first chamber, and a film of the tour can be watched free in the visitor centre.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Paid entry

What their access information confirms

  • Café

Their websiteAccess information

Carers who drive, based near Torquay

Babbacombe Model Village, Babbacombe

Photo: SolomanMcKenzie / SolomanMcKenzie at en.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Garden · Babbacombe

Babbacombe Model Village

Babbacombe Model Village is a long-established attraction of miniature buildings, streets and railways set in landscaped gardens above the sea at Babbacombe. The circuit of the gardens is about three-quarters of a mile.

There are seats at intervals around the garden, but the slopes are very steep, so a wheelchair needs a strong, fit helper and staff advise allowing two to three hours at an easy pace.

Time to allow
Half a day
Cost
Paid entry

What their access information confirms

  • Accessible toilet

Their websiteAccess information

Carers who drive, based near Babbacombe

Paignton Zoo, Paignton

Photo: Unknown authorUnknown author, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Animals · Paignton

Paignton Zoo

Paignton Zoo is a large conservation zoo on a wooded hillside in Paignton, with giraffes, rhinos, big cats, apes and a crocodile swamp among its animals. There are cafés and plenty of seating around the site.

The site is hilly, but most routes can be managed in a wheelchair or scooter, paths are tarmac or compacted stone with benches throughout, and there are mobility scooters to hire, accessible toilets and free carer admission.

Time to allow
A full day
Cost
Paid entry, carers free

What their access information confirms

  • Accessible toilet
  • Wheelchairs to borrow
  • Blue Badge parking

Their websiteAccess information

Carers who drive, based near Paignton

Paignton Seafront and Pier, Paignton

Photo: Ianmacm, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Coast · Paignton

Paignton Seafront and Pier

Paignton has a long red-sand beach, a green behind the seafront and a traditional Victorian pier with amusements. Palm trees and the mild climate give it a holiday feel all year.

The seafront green and promenade sit behind the beach, so a carer can plan a short flat walk with sea views and benches close to the town.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Free

Access

Their website does not set out its access in detail, so ring ahead about parking, paths and toilets.

Their website

Carers who drive, based near Paignton

Brixham Harbour and Breakwater, Brixham

Photo: Derek Harper, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Coast · Brixham

Brixham Harbour and Breakwater

Brixham is a working fishing harbour where heritage trawlers and day boats bring their catch to the fish market, with colourful houses rising up the hill behind. A waterfront promenade leads out along the half-mile breakwater towards the Art Deco lido.

The waterfront is lined with cafés and pubs, so a carer can plan a short harbourside stroll and a cream tea looking over the boats.

Time to allow
Half a day
Cost
Free

Access

Their website does not set out its access in detail, so ring ahead about parking, paths and toilets.

Their website

Carers who drive, based near Brixham

Berry Head National Nature Reserve, Brixham

Photo: John Lucas, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Nature reserve · Brixham

Berry Head National Nature Reserve

Berry Head is a headland of 200-foot cliffs at the southern tip of Torbay, with a lighthouse, Napoleonic forts and wide views over the sea on three sides. It is part of the English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark and good for spotting seabirds.

The Guardhouse Café inside the old fort is open all year, so a carer can plan a short walk from the car park to the fort and a sit-down with a view.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Free

Access

Their website does not set out its access in detail, so ring ahead about parking, paths and toilets.

Their website

Carers who drive, based near Brixham

Regular groups and events in Torbay

Something to go back to every week or every year, from our research into what older people enjoy doing in Torbay.

  • Cooking & Baking · BrixhamEngland's Seafood FEASTAn autumn food festival across Torbay built around Brixham-landed seafood, with tastings, demonstrations and special menus. A carer can pick one afternoon event close to home, book a table at a quieter time and bring recipe ideas back to the kitchen.Details
  • Dancing · PaigntonAfternoon tea dance at the Palace TheatreA regular afternoon tea dance in Paignton town centre, a short walk from the bus and rail stations. A carer can get someone there and back, keep a table for the sitting-out spells and join in for a dance if a partner is needed.Details
  • Dancing · TorquayAfternoon ballroom, sequence and Latin dancing in TorquayA listed afternoon session of ballroom, old time sequence and Latin dancing on a proper sprung floor, with free parking. A carer can check the date before setting out, drive door to door and stay for the tea break.Details
  • Photography · TorquayTorbay Photographic SocietyA long-running camera club affiliated to the Western Counties Photographic Federation, meeting on Wednesday evenings from September to May. A carer can arrange the lift to and from the hall and help carry kit in for the evening.Details
  • Painting · BrixhamBrixham Art Society summer exhibitionA free annual exhibition of paintings, drawings and prints by local artists, much of it local scenes, held in Scala Hall near the central car park. A carer can park close by, go round with someone at their pace and use it as a prompt for a painting session at home.Details
  • Reading · TorquayInternational Agatha Christie FestivalA festival held every September around the anniversary of Christie's birth in Torquay, with talks, walks and themed events across the town. A carer can pick one or two seated events, book ahead and arrange transport so the day is not tiring.Details

Hobbies and carers who share them in Torbay

At a glance

The nine places side by side

What each place’s own access information confirms. “Ask” means it does not say, not that it is missing.

PlaceTimeCostStep-freeToiletCafé
Torre AbbeyTorquayhalf a dayPaid entryPartlyYesYes
Cockington Court and Country ParkCockingtonhalf a dayFreeAskYesAsk
Torquay MuseumTorquayan hour or twoPaid entryYesYesAsk
Kents CavernTorquayan hour or twoPaid entryAskAskYes
Babbacombe Model VillageBabbacombehalf a dayPaid entryAskYesAsk
Paignton ZooPaigntona full dayPaid entryAskYesAsk
Paignton Seafront and PierPaigntonan hour or twoFreeAskAskAsk
Brixham Harbour and BreakwaterBrixhamhalf a dayFreeAskAskAsk
Berry Head National Nature ReserveBrixhaman hour or twoFreeAskAskAsk

Where the places are in Torbay

The county’s boundary, numbered as on this page, with the main towns for reference.

123456789
  1. 1Torre Abbey, Torquay
  2. 2Cockington Court and Country Park, Cockington
  3. 3Torquay Museum, Torquay
  4. 4Kents Cavern, Torquay
  5. 5Babbacombe Model Village, Babbacombe
  6. 6Paignton Zoo, Paignton
  7. 7Paignton Seafront and Pier, Paignton
  8. 8Brixham Harbour and Breakwater, Brixham
  9. 9Berry Head National Nature Reserve, Brixham

What it costs

What a day out with a carer costs in Torbay

Carers in Torbay charge £19 to £23 an hour through PrimeCarers, typically £20, with our fee included. A four-hour outing is about £80 for the carer’s time. Entry, food and parking are extra, and travel costs are only payable if you agree them with the carer in advance, in writing. The cost of home care in Torbay has the full figures.

Photographs on this page are from Wikimedia Commons, credited under each one.

Questions

Questions families ask about days out in Torbay

Torre Abbey in Torquay, Cockington Court and Country Park in Cockington, Torquay Museum in Torquay, Kents Cavern in Torquay, Babbacombe Model Village in Babbacombe, Paignton Zoo in Paignton, Paignton Seafront and Pier in Paignton, Brixham Harbour and Breakwater in Brixham and Berry Head National Nature Reserve in Brixham. Each has its own section on this page with what its access information confirms, the cost and how long to allow.

The access information for Torquay Museum describes a step-free route. Torre Abbey, Cockington Court and Country Park, Torquay Museum, Babbacombe Model Village and Paignton Zoo have an accessible toilet. Paignton Zoo lends wheelchairs. Access changes, so ring ahead about anything your parent depends on.

Cockington Court and Country Park, Paignton Seafront and Pier, Brixham Harbour and Breakwater and Berry Head National Nature Reserve. Parking is often charged even where entry is free.

Yes. A companion carer can drive your parent there, walk at their pace, help with the toilet and meals, and bring them home. 28 of the carers with a rate near Torbay drive. Visits are booked by the hour, typically £20 an hour here with our fee included. Companionship care in Torbay shows who is available.

Often. Many attractions let a carer or companion in free, or at a reduced price, with a disabled visitor, and some ask for proof such as a letter or a benefit award. It varies, so check each place’s access or prices page before you go.

Where the nearest carers live

From the profiles of the carers based within about 45 minutes of Torbay

Where the nearest carers live. A carer close to home can manage a longer day out.

Companionship care in the counties around Torbay

Days out in the areas around Torbay

Find a carer who could take them out in Torbay

See carers near Torbay who drive, with their photos, interests, rates and reviews. Talking to them is free and nothing is booked until you say so.

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