Why visit Torquay #1? Walks on our doorstep
One of the questions we are often asked by people enquiring to stay with us, who have never been to Torquay before is, "Why should we visit Torquay?", "What is there to do?".
The short answer is, there is so much to see and do you won't be able to fit everything in to a week or even a two week holiday!
This is why we have guests coming back to stay with us year after year.
Some guests like to do the same things every time they visit us, while others like to do something new every time.
So, over the next few weeks and months we are going to create a series of blogs to help answer your question - "why should I visit Torquay?"
In this first blog we are going to explore the local area with 'walks on our doorstep'.
Once you have arrived at The Cleveland, you don't have to get back into your car until it's time to leave, if you don't want to. We are perfectly situated to explore all of the surrounding area on foot, or by using the excellent local bus services.
Walk #1 To the seafront and harbour (approx 2 miles)
From The Cleveland it is very easy to reach the seafront, walking downhill all the way! The route takes you through the grounds of Torre Abbey, an Ancient Scheduled Monument with over 600 incredible works of art from the 18th century to the present day. This is well worth a visit during your stay 😉.
You will then find yourself in Abbey Park, where you will find crazy golf, pitch & putt, tennis courts and bowling greens - a must for any seaside holiday!
From Abbey Park you cross the Torbay Road and you will be on the promenade in front of Torre Abbey Sands, the main beach in Torquay. Here you will find pedalos, SUP's and kayaks for hire in the Summer months, as well as deckchairs, sun beds and parasols.
From Torre Abbey Sands you can follow the promenade around the seafront leading towards the harbour. On the way you will pass the Abbey Sands development, offering restaurants, bars and cafes with lots of outdoor seating. There are also ice cream kiosks and fish and chip takeaways, before you reach The Princess Theatre.
We are very fortunate in Torquay to have a UK leading theatre, attracting West End shows, tribute acts, comedians and live music.
If you want to take a small detour at this point, we recommend walking along Torquay Pier to the harbour wall. You might even catch a glimpse of Sammy the seal!
Beyond the Princess Theatre is Torquay Harbour. This is where boat trips depart from, taking you across the bay to Paignton and Brixham, or further afield to Dartmouth and Teignmouth. There are also regular fishing trips and even a fish and chip sunset cruise!
Torquay Harbour is also the hub of the bar and restaurant scene in Torquay. From a Michelin star restaurant and some of the best fish and seafood restaurants to tapas and Italian - you will find something for everyone here.
To walk back to The Cleveland you can retrace your steps, going back over the harbour footbridge and then cross the Torbay Road at the pedestrian crossing next to the Pavillion building (unfortunately closed). You can then walk through Rock Walk, taking in the exotic planting and night-time coloured lights. If you are feeling energetic, you can even walk up the steps and take in the views from the top! It is worth it 😉
Walk #2 Wellswood, Meadfoot and Daddyhole Plain (approx 4 miles)
This is a beautiful walk taking in stunning houses, beautiful views and a secluded beach.
From The Cleveland the walk starts via Torquay Harbour, as per walk #1 above.
From the harbour, start walking up the hill to your right, Beacon Hill, passing The Harvester on your right and The Elephant Restaurant on your left. Keep climbing the hill, passing The Imperial Hotel on your right.
The road now bears left, turning into Parkhill Road. Follow this road round to the left and straight on until you reach a cross roads.
Cross straight over into Higher Woodfield Road and then take the first right into Lincombe Drive. Take the time to look down drives and through gates - there are some amazing houses to admire as well as glimpses of sea views 😉.
Lincombe Drive is a long road, taking in wonderful wooded sea views. Once you reach the end of Lincombe Drive you arrive at The Kents pub, the start of the Wellswood area of Torquay.
Turn right down Kents Road, there are some lovely boutique shops, delis and cafes here. However, we prefer to stop for a coffee (and sometimes cake 🤣) at Kents Cavern - South Devons' prehistoric caves.
Kents Cavern is well worth a visit in its own right, but the view from the terrace cafe out across the valley is stunning and well worth the stop (plus there are some welcome toilets available here!👍).
Don't leave Kents Cavern by the main entrance. Instead, take the exit out of the side of the cafe (signposted toilets and woodland walk). You will immediately join the footpath to take you through the woods and down to Meadfoot.
The path will eventually bring you out of the woods and onto a green. Turn to your right and head for the sea! You are now in Meadfoot Bay. Follow the footpath to the right, along the sea wall. There is a lovely beach cafe at the far end, as well as more public conveniences.
Beyond the toilets are steps leading up to your left and a footpath sign to Daddyhole Plain. Take these steps up and follow the path (steep in places) until you reach The Headland Hotel (another lovely spot for refreshments, with a large terrace). The footpath now bears to the left, up some steep steps to Daddyhole Plain.
From here there are some of the highest and best views of the bay.
Continue through the car park and across the green towards the coastguard lookout (there is a small museum here, which is worth a 10 min stop).
From the coastguard lookout, go through the arch, following the coast path. You are now looking out across Torbay towards Brixham and Berry Head - just stunning! This path will now take you back towards Torquay, through woods and down some steep steps in places, eventually bringing you out at the back of the Imperial Hotel.
Turn left, back down Beacon Hill to Torquay Harbour.
Walk #3 Cockington Country Park and Village (approx 3 miles)
Many villages lay claim to being ‘picturesque’, but the village of Cockington is the real deal. Take a walk back in time along Cockington’s narrow lanes, lined with thatched houses with their colour-washed walls of stone and cobb. Here you’ll experience a quiet charm that is quintessentially English with its manor house, cricket ground, thatched pub and cream teas.
There are any number of ways to walk from The Cleveland to Cockington, but the best route starts at the end of Cockington Lane, on the seafront at Livermead (next to the Livermead Hotel).
Follow Cockington Lane, walking past some lovely houses, until you reach a double mini roundabout. Directly opposite you is the gate leading into the water meadows.
Go through the gate and follow the path and boardwalk, crossing the water meadows and stream - it is so peaceful .
Follow the path to the very end and rejoin Cockington Lane, turning to your right. You are now in Cockington Village.
Everything about Cockington oozes history with many of the cottages dating back to the 16th Century and some, like the old Forge at the end of the lane, mentioned in the Doomsday Book.
When you reach the end of the lane, one entrance to the country park is directly in front of you, along with the visitor centre. The centre offers lots of information about the park, its history, wildlife and the Trust that runs it, as well as a selection of quality, locally crafted gifts and souvenirs.
To the left of the entrance to the park is one of two tea rooms in the village, Weavers, serving traditional cream teas.
Keep walking along the same path, passing the ice cream kiosk. To your left, take the time to stand and watch the restored water wheel that used to power the mill - it is mesmerising!
Keep walking straight along the same path. In front of you, to the right, is The Drum Inn, a fabulous thatched inn serving local ales and delicious food. It is well worth a refreshment break after your walk, but it is advisable to pre-book for lunch .
You will now reach a gate, which takes you into Cockington Country Park itself. In front of you is a large expanse of green, with the cricket pitch in the middle, and Cockington Court, a historic manor and home to over twenty craft studios, a contemporary art gallery, tea room and rose garden.
Cockington Country Park 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 and a quaint 11th Century church.
There are a number of marked routes around the park, of varying distances and capabilities. Maps are available from the Visitor Information Centre.
From Cockington you can retrace your steps, back through the water meadows to the seafront.
We hope you have enjoyed our first blog in the series, 'why visit Torquay?'. 👀 Look out for more to come soon!
If you would like more information about booking a stay in Torquay at The Cleveland Bed & Breakfast, do not hesitate to contact us, Matt & Lissanne, on 01803 297522 or info@clevelandbandbtorquay.co.uk