Why visit Torquay #2? Hidden coves and beaches

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 blog, the second in the series, we discover 'hidden coves and beaches'.

Hidden Cove #1: Ansteys Cove

Ansteys Cove is situated in an area of Torquay called Wellswood, on the Babbacombe Road between Torquay town centre and Babbacombe.

It is very easy to miss the turning into the narrow lane, Ansteys Cove Road, just passed what used to be The Palace Hotel (if you reach The Range store, you have gone passed it!).

Pay and display parking is available on Ansteys Cove Lane.

Alternatively, you can take the 22 bus, or the 122 open-top bus (Summer months only) from Torquay town centre towards Babbacombe and alight at The Palace Hotel (formally).

The path from the car park down to the beach is steep, but worth it!

Ansteys beach is a shingle and rock cove, protected on three sides and so perfect for water sports.

Kayaking and paddle boarding are available here, with equipment for hire through the cafe. This is also the perfect place for coasteering, for the more adventurous (must be booked in advance with Reach Outdoors, based in Goodrington).

The small cafe is open most of the year (a board will be displayed at the entrance to Ansteys Cove Lane if it is open!) and serves hot and cold drinks as well as a selection of snack and lunch items.

From the top of the beach path, you can also explore the South West Coast Path in both directions, either towards Babbacombe, or Ilsham and Meadfoot.

Hidden Cove #2: Beacon Cove

Beacon Cove is a perfect haven away from the main beach of Torquay, close to Torquay harbour.

It can be accessed along a footpath that starts at the entrance to The Terrace pay and display car park, above Torquay Harbour (walk up the hill behind the Harvester restaurant).

Access down to the beach is via a zig-zag footpath and then a number of terrace steps.

This small, shingle beach is in a very sheltered position, making it a perfect spot to sit and relax even out of the main season.

There is some excellent local history about Beacon Cove and one of Torquay's most famous inhabitants.

Until 1900, mixed gendered bathing was not allowed, and Beacon Cove was one of Torquay's four dedicaded Ladies' Bathing Beaches. This is why Beacon Cove was formerly known as the Ladies Bathing Cove.

Agatha Christie was born in Torquay in 1890 and, as a child, this was her favourite beach to swim.

Beacon Cove is the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of Torquay!

Hidden Cove #3: Hollicombe Beach

Hollicombe Beach sits between Torquay and Paignton, on the main Torbay Road.

Parking on the main road is limited and restricted, so Hollicombe isn't the easiest to reach by car.

The 12, 22 and 122 buses all stop outside the entrance to Hollicombe Gardens.

To get to the beach, you’ll need to go through Hollicombe Gardens, which were originally an old gas works site. Follow the path under the railway bridge and you will find yourself on Hollicombe Beach.

With its distinctive red sand, backed by tall cliffs, Hollicombe is a sunbathers paradise.

The nearest facilities are a short walk away at Preston Beach, where you will find toilets and a cafe for take away.

Hidden Cove #4: Elberry Cove

Elberry Cove is situated the other side of Paignton, heading towards Brixham.

It can only be accessed on foot, so the nearest parking is at Broadsands Beach, where there is a pay and display car park. Parking is also available on some of the residential roads, depending on the time of year.

The nearest bus service is the 12, which stops at the library at the top of the road down to Broadsands Beach (it is a long, steep road).

Once you have parked and made your way to Broadsands Beach, turn right and head up the hill onto the common. Follow the coastline around the common and you will eventually reach a gate, signposted to Elberry Cove and the South West Coast Path.

Follow this path for approx 200 metres and then bare left down the steps and onto the beach.

Elberry Cove is a small inlet with a pebble beach. The scenery is beautiful. It is framed by wooded hillsides and the sea is crystal clear and safe to swim in.

At the far end of the beach you will find the remains of Lord Churston’s bathhouse, a romantic 18th century ruin. The building was once three storeys high, with a thatched roof and a ground floor that would flood when the tide came in. This meant that Lord Churston and his guests could swim straight out into the sea through a gated doorway. The building also boasted an early version of a hot tub, with a fire heating up the seawater to warm swimmers after their dip.

Elberry Cove was also one of Agatha Christie’s favourite bathing spots. Her holiday home at Greenway is not far from here and the cove even features in one of her novels, The ABC Murders, as the setting of Sir Carmichael Clarke’s untimely death!

The nearest facilities are at Broadsands, where you will find toilets, cafe, beach bar and water sports hire (seasonal).

Hidden Cove #5: Churston Cove

Churston Cove is situated on The South West Coast Path, just on the outskirts of Brixham.

It is only accessible on foot and can be reached by walking along the coast path from either Broadsands or Brixham Harbour.

There is limited parking available on the road outside the Brixham Battery Gardens, which is the closest to the entrance to the path.

The 12 bus runs frequently from Torquay to Brixham and you can join the coast path at the harbour.

Churston Cove is a secluded cove that is a real sanctuary of peace and calm. The beach is a mixture of sand and shingle, and is a safe place for a paddle or swim.

What really steals the show is the stunning scenery that surrounds the cove. Hillsides thick with woodland slope down towards the small, pebble beach with crystal clear water.

The nearest facilities are in neighbouring Fisherman's Cove where toilets and a small cafe are available (seasonal).

We hope you have enjoyed our second 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