Discover a day out on the English Riviera
Visit St Marychurch
Discover things to do in St Marychurch, Torquay: explore the South Devon Pottery Museum, Bygones and the Model Village, browse independent shops, stop for a café lunch or follow the Heritage Trail. Plan a short visit or a full day out with our local guide.
Plan your arrival: St Marychurch bus departures, journey planning and parking →
New visitor guide
Plan a South Devon day out in St Marychurch
Coffee, independent shopping, the South Devon Pottery Museum, local lunch and a village history walk—follow our easy St Marychurch itinerary.
Three attractions, one memorable visit
The South Devon Pottery Museum, Bygones and the Model Village give visitors three very different reasons to spend the day in St Marychurch — with shopping, lunch and coffee nearby.
South Devon Pottery Museum
A new independent St Marychurch attraction created by local collector Carl Filby. Discover the South Devon pottery story, from Watcombe’s Victorian beginnings to the makers and designs that followed.
Bygones
Step into an immersive Victorian street and explore period shops, wartime displays and evocative scenes at this family-run Fore Street attraction.
Model Village
Explore four acres of award-winning gardens filled with handcrafted miniature scenes, a model railway, family activities and thousands of tiny residents.
Plan your Sunday
A Typical Sunday in St Marychurch
Make a day of attractions, independent food and drink, Sunday roasts, live football, garden music and bingo. Regular arrangements can change, so check the linked venue page before travelling.
Model Village
Open every Sunday for miniature scenes, award-winning gardens, a model railway and family activities. Opening and last-entry times change through the year, so check the official visitor page before setting out.
Bygones
Open every Sunday from 10am. Explore the Victorian street, period shops, wartime displays and genuine historical collections. It is family-friendly and welcomes well-behaved dogs. Check current closing times, prices and tearoom availability before visiting.
Chubbs
Wine Bar & Kitchen, Fore Street: Sunday 12pm–4pm. Tapas, wine and food.
Deli, Babbacombe Road: Sunday 12pm–3pm.
The Dolphin
Sunday roasts served 12pm–2pm.
Choose beef, chicken or pork. Eat in £10.95; takeaway £8.50. Call 01803 323725 to order. Live football is shown afterwards; check Facebook for the current fixture.
Molloy’s
Live football throughout Sunday on multiple screens and in the beer garden.
Spud Shack: 4pm–8pm every Sunday, alongside live music in the garden. Selected Sunday music quizzes are also held when advertised.
The Crown & Sceptre
Open Sundays from noon at 2 Petitor Road for drinks and a welcoming local-pub atmosphere. Closing times and entertainment can change, so check Facebook before visiting.
St Marychurch & Babbacombe Conservative Club
Sunday bingo. Start times, entry and guest arrangements may apply, so check directly with the club before visiting.
Getting here, public transport and parking
Plan your journey to St Marychurch by bus, train, car or taxi. The map is centred on Fore Street and the shopping village, close to the Heritage Trail and the village visitor attractions.
By bus
Ask for St Marychurch, the closest stop for Fore Street, the shopping village, the Heritage Trail and the Model Village approach. Stagecoach service 22 is the principal service linking St Marychurch with Torquay and Paignton, including convenient connections from Torquay seafront and the railway-station area. Other local services may also serve St Marychurch, but routes and timetables can change.
By train
Torquay railway station is around three miles away. Continue by taxi, or walk to the seafront bus stops near the station and take a St Marychurch-bound service. Service 22 provides the main connection via Torquay seafront, town centre and harbour. Allow extra time during busy summer periods.
Continue to Babbacombe
Babbacombe Downs, the theatre, cliff railway and seafront attractions are nearby. From St Marychurch you can continue on foot, use a local bus or drive. Choose your preferred route below for live directions.
Where to park
Chilcote Close Car Park
TQ1 4QT · Best for the shopping village and Heritage Trail.
- 68 spaces
- 2 disabled spaces
- 1 motorcycle space
- No height restriction
- 24-hour, pay-and-display
- RingGo location code: 15828
Hampton Avenue Car Park
TQ1 4PR · Best for the Model Village and the southern end of the trail.
- 140 spaces
- 2 disabled spaces
- 1 motorcycle space
- 2 coach spaces
- 4 EV charging bays
- No height restriction
- 24-hour, pay-and-display
- RingGo location code: 15829
Parking reminder: charges apply seven days a week, including Sundays and Bank Holidays. Always check the signs and ticket machine when you arrive because tariffs and restrictions can change. Pay-and-display tickets are not transferable between council car parks.
Accessibility and longer vehicles
St Marychurch is built on rising ground and parts of the walking route include slopes. Chilcote Close and Hampton Avenue each provide two designated disabled spaces. Hampton Avenue also has limited facilities for coaches, campervans and motorhomes; larger vehicles must remain within the rules shown on site and may require payment for every occupied bay.
Travel information last checked 23 August 2026 against Torbay Council, Stagecoach and the Model Village visitor information. Always confirm live bus times and current parking charges before travelling.
Explore the village
Discover independent shops, welcoming cafés, pubs and restaurants, then check what is happening during your visit.
Plan your visit
Choose a short visit, a relaxed half-day or a complete day out. Opening times, transport and parking arrangements can change, so please follow the official links before travelling.
Around two hours
Start with coffee in the village, browse the independent shops and follow a selection of the central Heritage Trail stops around Fore Street and the churches.
A relaxed half-day
Follow the outdoor Heritage Trail, allow time for lunch or refreshments and explore the shops, memorials and community landmarks along the route.
A complete day out
Start with the South Devon Pottery Museum, then combine it with local shopping, food and part of the Heritage Trail. Bygones and the Model Village offer two more paid attractions nearby; check admission times and last entry before setting out.
Parking near St Marychurch
Two useful council car parks serve the village. Charges apply on Sundays and Bank Holidays. For current prices and payment information, use the official Torbay Council links rather than relying on an old tariff.
Chilcote Close car park
- Address: Chilcote Close, Torquay, TQ1 4QT
- Open: 24 hours
- Capacity: 68 spaces, including 2 disabled spaces and 1 motorcycle space
- Payment: RingGo or cash at the machine
- A convenient choice for Fore Street, Foxlands Walk and the Heritage Trail.
Check Chilcote Close parking information and current charges →
Hampton Avenue car park
- Address: Hampton Avenue, Torquay, TQ1 4PR
- Open: 24 hours
- Capacity: 140 spaces, including 2 disabled spaces, 1 motorcycle space and 2 coach spaces
- Payment: RingGo, card or cash at the machine
- A larger option for the visitor attractions and the St Marychurch area.
Check Hampton Avenue parking information and current charges →
Arriving by public transport
Ask for St Marychurch when planning your journey. The central stops around Fore Street and the Chilcote Memorial are convenient for the shopping area and Heritage Trail. Stagecoach route 22 links St Marychurch with Torquay and Paignton seven days a week; other local services may also be useful depending on your starting point.
- From Torquay railway station, use the current journey planner for a bus connection or take a taxi.
- From Torquay town centre or the seafront, look for services towards St Marychurch and check the stop before boarding.
- For the Model Village, St Marychurch is a useful arrival point when you also plan to visit Fore Street or follow the Heritage Trail.
- Allow extra time on Sundays, Bank Holidays and during seasonal timetable changes.
Accessibility
Central St Marychurch is compact, but the wider area includes gradients, road crossings and changes of surface. Some historic sites are viewed from public roads and paths, and some businesses or attractions have their own access arrangements.
- Chilcote Close and Hampton Avenue car parks each provide 2 disabled spaces.
- The public toilet at St Marychurch Car Park has disabled facilities.
- Visitors who need step-free access, seating or toilet certainty should check individual venues before travelling.
- The Heritage Trail should not yet be described as fully accessible until every section has been walked and measured.
Useful visitor essentials
- Public toilets: St Marychurch Car Park, Babbacombe Road, TQ1 4PR. Open all year; current council information states 8am–9pm in summer and 8am–6pm in winter. Disabled facilities are available; there are no baby-changing facilities. Entry is currently 20p by contactless payment.
- Food and drink: cafés, pubs, bars, bakeries and restaurants are listed in the Local Traders directory.
- Families: The South Devon Pottery Museum, Bygones and the Model Village are the main visitor attractions; opening and admission arrangements should be checked directly.
- Dogs: policies vary between attractions and businesses, so confirm with the venue.
- Wet weather: combine indoor attractions, cafés and shops, and save exposed parts of the Heritage Trail for clearer weather.
- Sundays: some independent shops may be closed or have shorter hours.
Information checked 13 September 2026. Please confirm live timetables, parking charges, attraction opening times and individual access arrangements before travelling.
Help us improve this guide
We are building a practical community visitor guide. If you spot an access change, a missing facility or outdated travel information, please contact Friends of St Marychurch.