As well as the many no-money-fun things to do in Torquay and the surrounding area there is a wide selection of low cost attractions to try. You will find the local Tourist office for Torquay in the Old Harbour at Vaughn Parade.  The telephone number for the Tourism Centre is 0906 68012658, this number services all of the Torbay Tourism Centres: Torquay, Paignton and Brixham, so be sure to ask for the relevant one.

Sunny days out - Torquay and around

Babbacombe Model Village -  here you can venture into a world of miniature marvels and wonder at the award winning gardens, situated at Hampton Avenue, Babbacombe, Torquay, tel: 01803 315315 gates open at 10.00am and close as late as 10.30pm during the Summer months.

Boat trips - just close to the Tourism Centre in the Old Harbour you can take boat trips in the Summer months to Dartmouth, the Dart River and Exmouth. This is a great way of seeing the whole of the Torbay coastline and getting some sea air.

Living Coasts - all wild life and coastline enthusiasts should enjoy this trip. Sponsored by Paignton zoo Living Coasts is an out door and an in door marine life zoo. The tour is educational and fun, visitors can even choose to sponsor animals and birds. Living Coasts is situated on Beacon Quay, Torquay. It is a five minute walk from the Old Harbour and has a large pay and dispay car park nearby, call 01803 200508 for more information.

Paignton and Dartmouth Steam Railway - for a trip back in time to traveling Victorian style this really is a fantastic experience. The full sized steam train leaves from Paignton railway station daily June-Sept. There is a reduced service in April, May, October and December. If you buy a Round Robin ticket, you can travel by rail along the coastline parallel with Goodrington Sands and then inland alongside the Dart estuary. The next part of the journey is a ferry ride from Kingswear to Dartmouth and then up the Dart river to Totnes, a bus then takes Round Robin passengers back to Paignton railway station. This is great fun for Railway Children and Thomas the Tank Engine fans alike. In typical Torbay style Round Robin trips have seasonal themes ranging from Santa's Grotto to Halloween Covens, the trip lasts all day. For further information tel: 01803 555872.

Paignton Zoo - from emus to lions you will find every type of animal at Paignton Zoo. Established in the early 1900s the zoo combines conservation awareness with exciting events. The zoo has over 250 exotic species of animals catering for all ages of learners. Paignton Zoo is open all year round, except for Christmas day, from 10.00 until 5.00 pm tel: 01803 697510 to book.

Torre Abbey - this is both a fair weather and a bad weather day out featuring museums, gardens, antiques and a palm house. The abbey was built in 1196 and has historical links with Henry VIII and the Spanish Armada. Situated off The Kings Drive, Torquay, it is recomended to allow at least three hours to look around Torre Abbey. Opening hours are from 9.00am until 5.00pm tel: 01803 293593 for more information.

To view the Tourism Centre and attraction web sites please click on 'Links' in the lefthand menu bar, where you will find web pages listed under 'Days out' and then by attraction name.