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Babbacombe Model Village

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Feel like a giant at Babbacombe Model Village as you explore 4 acres of award-winning gardens showcasing hundreds of model scenes, vehicles & people.

If you haven't been to the Model Village for a while, several new models and displays have opened in the last few years - including the popular Paignton Zoo display, a west country fishing village, the peek inside house and the new Celebrity Mansion. The Mansion is currently hosting a rock & pop music festival - come and see which miniature celebrities you can spot! The newest additions include a canal & narrow boat display opened in the spring of 2017.

Babbacombe Model Village is famous for its miniature landscaped gardens, leading it to be branded as one of Europe's Premier Model Villages and one of Torquay's most beautiful gardens. Whether a keen garden enthusiast, or just a casual admirer, the beautiful landscaping never fails to impress visitors to the village.

Every Thursday evening from April to October, the village is transformed with thousands of miniature lights - the enchanting illuminations light up the gardens and enable you to see what goes on inside many of the models. We highly recommend you experience the Model Village day and evening, they really do have two attractions in one!

You can visit day and evening using their free return. During your first visit you need to validate your admission ticket to get a photo-pass which enables everyone in the photo to return once, for free, within 7 days.

For the last two years on Trip Advisor, Babbacombe Model Village has been ranked number one for things to do in Torquay and ‘The English Riviera’.

Guide Prices

Please see our website for pricing

3141 reviews

Certificate of Excellence 2018

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating:

Excellent
2121
Very Good
757
Average
182
Poor
52
Terrible
30

Recent Reviews:

sunnysweets
Plymouth, United Kingdom
half day out
Friday, 25th May 2018
great half day out for the family, we went at easter and the children done the easter egg hunt which was fun for the children. its bigger than you think and adding new bits all the time Read full review
Alex M
Weston-super-Mare, United Kingdom
Trip Type:
Couples
Stunning
Thursday, 24th May 2018
Imaginatively designed by someone who has a delightful sense of humour (see logos on buildings and vehicles!) in beautifully landscaped gardens. A real treat for adults and children alike. Read full review
snapon69_99
basildon england
Trip Type:
Couples
Nostalgia
Wednesday, 23rd May 2018
I visited Babbacombe model village last in 1973. Was excited to return. God I was not disappointed it was amazing. Lots to see loads of photos taken. If you have walking issues it is steep in... Read full review

Write a review

Facilities

Attraction Facilities

Shop
Tea Rooms

Accessibility

Guide Dogs Permitted

Parking & Transport

Parking (charge)

Establishment Features

Dogs Accepted - Outside only
Open All Year
Toilets

Specialist Features

Family Fun

Map & Directions

Road Directions

BY CAR

Follow signs to Torquay/Torbay from the A38, A380 or A385 Follow the brown signs to Model Village once you are in the Torquay/Torbay area

We are situated 2.5 miles from Torquay harbour in the pretty area of St. Marychurch/Babbacombe

Satnav postcode: Our postcode is TQ1 3LA, however this will lead you to the Hampton Avenue side of the local authority car park which is no entry. This car park is accessed from St Marychurch Road (A379). Use your satnav but please follow the brown signs when you get within half a mile.

Car Parking There is a pay & display local authority owned car park adjacent to the model village. This car park serves the whole area and does not belong to the model village, so you will need to 'pay and display'. If the main car park is full, follow the brown sign to overflow parking which is close by in Chilcote Close (about 3-4 mins walk from us).

Public Transport Directions

BY TRAIN

We are about 3 miles from the Torquay train station, which is just off Torquay sea front.

Continue by taxi (there is a taxi office at the station), the journey will be about 15 minutes OR

Catch the 22 bus service on the sea front, see station map link below. Service 22 goes along the sea front, via the town/harbour, right to St Marychurch. Buses run approx. every 20-30 mins during the day, the journey will take about 35 minutes (subject to traffic conditions)

BY BUS

Get the bus to St Marychurch, we are just 3-4 minutes walk from/to the bus stops - follow the black & gold pedestrian signs.

The main bus services:-

SERVICE 22 - Paignton town & bus/train station - Torquay seafront (train station) - Torquay town centre/harbour - Babbacombe/St Marychurch - Teignmouth - Dawlish - Dawlish Warren....(and vice versa).

The service runs approx. every 20-30 minutes, day and evening. The journey will take about 50-60 minutes from the furthest points (Paignton bus station and Dawlish Warren) and about 25 mins from Torquay town/harbour

SERVICE HOP122 (Open-top service) - Paignton Zoo - Paignton Sea Front - Paignton Bus Station - Torquay Harbour - Wellswood - St Marychurch for Model Village....... (and vice versa)

This open-top summer service gives you great views of the bay, and runs approx every 20 mins during the day (roughly 9.30 - 5.30pm)

Hampton Avenue, Torquay, Devon, TQ1 3LA

Visit Website

Call direct on:

Tel01803 315315

Opening Times

Season (1 Jan 2018 - 31 Dec 2018)

* See website for seasonal opening times

Awards

TripAdvisor Awards TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence 2016

Monday, 30th July 2018 - Friday, 31st August 2018

Evening Illuminations 2018 at Babbacombe Model Village: more info

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