Babbacombe Model Village how to find us

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/Google maps postcode:
Our postcode is TQ1 3LA, however this may lead you to the Hampton Avenue side of the local authority car park which is no entry. The car park is accessed from St Marychurch Road (A379). Please follow the brown signs when you get within half a mile.

CAR & CAMPERVAN PARKING

THE MAIN CAR PARK adjacent to the Model Village is a council owned and operated payable car park that serves the whole area, we have no control or ownership of it.  More details about Hampton Avenue Car Park

The machine nearest our entrance takes coins (we don’t carry change), cards or use the ‘RingGo’ app.  We’d recommend using the App as it operates start/stop so you are not pondering how much time.

EV Charging (4 bays) –IMPORTANT: The model village has no ownership or control of these. Our current understanding is that you to have a valid parking ticket whilst charging. If you decide to charge your vehicle whilst visiting us, it may be wise to pop out during your visit to move the car once charging is complete – ask a member of staff for a short term exit pass from the village.

A SECOND CARK PARK next to the St Marychurch shopping precinct is down Chilcote Close, across the main road, just 2 or 3 mins walk.

PARK & WALK  VIA THE DOWNS – Recommended for a beautiful walk across the Babbacombe Downs, the highest promenade in the UK, with amazing coastal views – Princes Street Car Park is about 8-9 mins walk and Walls Hill Car Park about 12-13 mins walk.

FREE STREET PARKING may be found in Higher Downs road going on to Babbacombe Downs Road, but this is limited and you would need to arrive early to have any chance. Cars and campervans do park along here. (Please check for signs in case the council change policies).

NOTE: Campervan/Motorhome Parking – The main car park does have limited larger spaces for larger vehicles, so you’d need to arrive early.  There is one long space at the far end, to the left of the barrier, as you come in past our entrance. Or if you go immediately left down the hill, there is a grassy/gravel area with no lines on the left. If you take up or overhang more than one of the regular parking spaces the council does expect you purchase a ticket for each space used. This information is a guide only, the council may change policy and they don’t inform us. Always check the information at the ticket machines and on their website.  Don’t park in the coach space opposite our entrance, they will likely fine you. Full details on Torbay council website  HERE

BY BUS

GET THE BUS TO:  St Marychurch, we are just 3-4 minutes walk from/to the bus stops OR Babbacombe to take in the views from the Downs – we are 6 or 7 mins walk from the middle of the Downs.

The main bus services:-

SERVICE 22 – MAIN STOPS – Goodrington (Paignton) – Paignton town & bus/train station – Torquay seafront (train station) –  Torquay town centre/harbour – Wellswood – Babbacombe (to see the Downs) – St Marychurch (closest for Model Village) – Teignmouth – Dawlish – Dawlish Warren….(and vice versa).

The service runs approx. every 20 minutes during the day. During the evening it only runs bewteen Torquay Harbour and St Marychurch. The journey will take about 50-60 minutes from the furthest points and about 20 mins from Torquay town/harbour.

For all stops & times click here for the Stagecoach website.

SERVICE HOP122 (Open-top seats available) Summer/Seasonal.  – Paignton bus station – Paignton sea front – Torquay sea front – Torquay Harbour – Wellswood – Babbacombe Downs & St Marychurch for Model Village……. (and vice versa).

This open-top summer service gives you great views of the bay, and runs approx every 30 mins during the day. Always check the stagecoach wesbite as things may change –  More details here

    www.stagecoachbus.com

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 outside the station, with a number to call), the journey will be about 15 minutes OR

Catch the 22 bus service on the sea front (station side)  – facing the sea you need a bus heading left towards Torquay harbour. Service 22 goes along the sea front, via the town/harbour, right to St Marychurch. Buses run approx. every 20 mins during the day, the journey will take about 35 minutes (subject to traffic conditions). So allow at least an hour for your onward journey and bear in mind our last entry times.

GENERAL TRAVEL INFORMATION

You can also try the travel line on 0870 6082608 or visit www.traveline.org.uk

NOTE: We try to keep this all this information up to date, but transport services and the council do change things and they never notify us, so we recommend checking their websites. To avoid disappointment, ensure you are aware of our opening times and allow plenty of time for your journey. During the summer especially, it is quite probable that car or bus journeys around the area will take longer than anticipated. Admission after our published latest entry time is never possible, as the park will start to close behind the last visitors.