Name: Torquay Museum
Rating: 5.0

Torquay Museum

Torquay Museum, 529 Babbacombe Rd, Torquay TQ1 1HG, UK

1-90 Years

Paid

Description

Torquay Museum offers a brilliant day out for families looking to uncover the deep history, local wildlife, and extraordinary stories of South Devon. Packed with interactive elements and fascinating galleries, it stands out as one of the best things to do with kids in Torquay, serving as a captivating museum and educational hub.

Admission prices are remarkably family-friendly, starting at just £5.00 for children and young adults aged 5 to 17, while standard adult tickets are priced at £10.00. Under 5s can join the adventure completely free of charge, and the venue offers brilliant multi-person family bundles to keep your day budget-friendly.

If you are looking for the best place for a day out with family and kids that combines hands-on fun with ancient history, this family-friendly cultural attraction is a fantastic option. A major benefit of visiting is their "Pay Once, Get In Free for a Year" scheme, which automatically converts your standard day ticket into a 12-month annual pass for repeat visits at no extra cost.

Features

Paid
Host birthday parties: Yes

Features

Key Features

Interactive Learning: Hands-on activity sheets, explorer packs, and interactive digital games designed to keep younger minds engaged throughout the galleries.
Ancient Discoveries: Home to some of the oldest fossilized human remains in Britain, providing a captivating window into the Ice Age.
Literary Trail: Features the UK's only dedicated permanent exhibition celebrating the life and famous detective works of Agatha Christie.
Local Heritage Focus: Rich displays tracking thousands of years of South Devon's social history, local wildlife, and maritime past.

Top 5 Highlights

The Ancestors Gallery: This gallery takes children on a journey back to the Stone Age. Kids will love discovering how early humans lived alongside mammoths and hyaenas right here in Devon. It holds incredible archaeological finds from nearby caves that bring ancient history to life.
The Agatha Christie Gallery: A must-visit for young detectives and book lovers. The gallery features a wealth of photos, costumes, and personal effects of the world's most famous crime writer. The interactive murder mystery puzzle games often hosted here make it an engaging experience for the whole family.
Explorer Backpacks and Trails: Upon arrival, children can borrow themed explorer backpacks filled with tools to help them navigate the galleries. Interactive trails turn the museum into a giant puzzle hunt, keeping little ones focused and moving.
Natural History & Wildlife Displays: This section showcases the diverse habitats of South Devon. Children can get up close with preserved birds, mammals, and marine life specimens, learning about local biodiversity through vibrant, child-height visual cases.
Time and Social History Exhibits: A walk through the recent past allows children to compare their modern lives with those of Victorian kids. Packed with historical toys, clothes, and everyday household items, it sparks great family conversations about how much the world has changed.

Facilities

Toilets & Baby Changing: Accessible toilets and baby changing facilities are available onsite.
Buggy Access & Storage: Pushchairs are allowed throughout the galleries, with designated buggy parking near reception.
Food & Drink: The onsite café serves hot drinks, snacks, light lunches, and refreshments, with seating for more than 30 visitors.
Lockers & Storage: Small storage spaces are available at reception for heavier bags.

Pro-Tips for Families

Best Time to Visit: Weekday afternoons and sunny mornings are usually quieter, as many visitors head to the nearby beaches.
Activity Packs: Ask reception for the latest family quiz sheets and seasonal trails to keep children engaged throughout the museum.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Torquay Museum worth visiting with toddlers? Yes. The museum includes interactive explorer packs, sensory displays, replica objects, and child-focused activity trails that help keep younger children entertained while learning.
How long does a family visit take? Most family visits last around 2 to 3 hours, giving enough time to explore the galleries, complete activity trails, and stop at the café.
Where is the best place to park? The nearby Harbour Car Park on Museum Road is one of the most convenient parking options. It is a secure pay-and-display car park located a short walk from the museum entrance.

The Visitor Verdict: What Parents Really Think
What Visitors Love

Excellent value thanks to the included 12-month return pass.
Interactive trails and quizzes that work well for different age groups.
Friendly and patient staff who engage positively with children.
Compact, manageable layout that avoids museum fatigue and works well with pushchairs.

What Visitors Don’t Like

No dedicated onsite parking, meaning visitors rely on nearby public parking.
Café seating can become crowded during busy holiday periods.

What to see

Detailed Gallery Inventory

The museum’s collection is organised into several themed galleries, helping families explore different aspects of Devon’s history and heritage.
The Ancestors Gallery: Features internationally important Devon hominin discoveries and Ice Age mammal remains.
The Agatha Christie Gallery: Dedicated to the life and works of Agatha Christie, with manuscripts, artefacts, and local history connections.
The Explorer Gallery: Displays objects and expedition records from global explorations and historic travel.
The Old Devon Farmhouse Gallery: A reconstructed rural farmhouse interior showing traditional Devon domestic life.
The Natural History Collection: Geological and biological displays focused on South Devon’s landscapes and wildlife.

Specific Objects & Sub-Exhibits

The Kents Cavern Human Maxilla: One of the oldest modern human jawbone fossils discovered in northwestern Europe.
Joint Mitnor Cave Pleistocene Fossils: Ice Age animal remains including ancient wolf and hyaena teeth.
Colonel Percy Fawcett’s Amazon Diaries: Original expedition journals from explorer Percy Fawcett.
The 1660 Court of Common Pleas Recovery Document: A rare legal document bearing the Commonwealth Seal.
“Torbay: A Rocky Tale” Animated Film: Educational cartoon linking local archaeology with detective-style investigations.

Beyond the Main Attraction

Babbacombe Model Village – Popular miniature village attraction filled with detailed model landscapes.
Kents Cavern – Prehistoric cave system where many of the museum’s famous fossils were originally discovered.

New for 2026

Torbay Tracks Railway Exhibition: A special exhibition exploring local railways, trams, and cliff railways through archives and model layouts.
Interactive Decolonisation Board Games: Hands-on family activities encouraging discussion about world collections and museum history.

Website

Contact

Video

Price

Price: Paid

Price Details

Adults (18+): £10
Children & Young Adults (5–17): £5
Children under 5: Free
1 Adult and Children Family Ticket: £15
2 Adults and Children Family Ticket: £25

Pricing URL: https://torquaymuseum.org/opening-times

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: Yes

Birthday Party Details

Regarding pre-set kids' birthday party structures or exact venue hire fees. For private event inquiries or custom group celebrations, please reach out directly to the museum's operations team via the main contact email.

Tuesday - Sunday: 10am - 4.45pm

Address: Torquay Museum, 529 Babbacombe Rd, Torquay TQ1 1HG, UK

Post Code: TQ1 1HG

Council: Torquay

County: Devon

By Tube / Train: The nearest station is Torquay Railway Station, located approximately 1.2 miles away. Taxis and local buses are readily available from the station concourse.
By Bus: Local routes 12, 22, and 122 stop directly on Babbacombe Road, mere steps from the museum entrance.
By Car & Parking: There is no dedicated visitor car park on-site. Pay-and-display on-street parking is available along Babbacombe Road and regional side streets. The nearest multi-storey option is the Harbour Car Park, situated a 5-minute walk down the hill.