Babbacombe Fayre's 200 years of history

Babbacombe Fayre will return to Babbacombe Downs in Torquay this summer, taking place on Sunday,  August 10.

Organised by the Rotary Club of Torbay Sunrise, the event promises a full programme of attractions, including stalls, activities, live entertainment, and a dog show, along with food and refreshments. Torbay Hospital Radio will also be there, providing music and live radio interviews throughout the day.

Thanks to valued partnerships with local history expert Graham Wheatley and Torquay Museum, we’re able to offer readers a fascinating glimpse into the heritage of this much-loved family occasion — and similar festivities at the location, which can be traced back more than 200 years.

According to Graham, who shared his findings in the local history Facebook group Undiscovered Torbay, the fayre is held on what claims to be the highest cliff promenade in England, with beautiful coastal views across Lyme Bay.

While the Babbacombe Carnival Fayre itself dates back to 1953, its predecessor — the Babbacombe Regatta — has an even longer history, reaching as far back as the 1820s.

Above: Image: Torquay Museum

Traditionally held in June, the regatta has, over the years, also taken place in July, August or September. A colourful fixture in the local calendar, it regularly drew lively crowds and media attention.

Typical of the press coverage the event received in its heyday, the Exeter & Plymouth Gazette published the following account of the 1887 regatta in its edition of Friday, 2 September: “The above pleasant little aquatic holiday, which is increasing in popularity every year, took place on Wednesday in Babbacombe Bay, and favoured with fine weather proved a great success. A spanking off-shore breeze blew, and the vessels quickly covered the distance allotted. The prizes amounted in the aggregate to 100 guineas, a special feature in the programme being a prize of £15 for trawlers…”

Meanwhile, on the cliffs above, the regatta was once also accompanied by traditional fayre-style amusements. Cliff-top events in 1910, for example, included pillow fights and sack races – captured in these photographs showing “all the fun of the fair”.

On Facebook, one user wrote: “How lovely to see. My two sons were always up there with the old Babbacombe School doing things; it was so nice. They are now 59 and 60, so it was a long time ago. We lived in Reddenhill Road.”

Another added: “Our school (Babbacombe Primary School) used to go up and entertain with songs, etc. ‘How do you do, Babbacombe Visitors?’ a firm favourite, with a few pupils out in the crowd shaking hands with the visitors. Great days.”