Cliff Railway History

Apart from the war years when it was closed for security reasons, Babbacombe Cliff Railway has been operating since 1926.

It was in 1890 that Sir George Newnes MP offered to build a cliff lift to connect the Downs to Oddicombe Beach, but there were such fierce objections the St Marychurch Local Board decided not to accept the offer.  

From time to time other efforts to construct a railway came to nothing, until in February 1923 the Torquay Tramway Company announced they would build a cliff railway for the 1924 season.

Engineering work was carried out by the Waygood Otis Company but the scheme was not completed until two years later in 1925. On April 1 the then Mayor and Mayoress made the first trip and the first ticket A000 was framed in silver by Mr H. Thomas, the lessee of Oddicombe Beach, who presented it to the Mayor.

Following refurbishment after the war the cliff railway was re-opened in the early 1950’s. Now more than 250,000 passengers are carried safely each season to enjoy the delights of Oddicombe Beach and the access to coastal walks in both the Petitor and Babbacombe directions.

The railway is owned by Torbay Council and run under license by the Babbacombe Cliff Railway Community Interest Company.