Monday 14 September 2009

Numbers down, but still going up

Babbacombe Cliff Railway one of only 16 funicular railways still functioning in the United Kingdom. It leads down to the wonderful Oddicombe beach from the far side of the small cafe on Babbacombe Road and is the only way to travel, once you consider the steep beach road has a one-in-three gradient.

At its peak the cliff railway was transporting up to 250,000 people a year but nowadays fewer people want to spend a traditional seaside holiday in this country so numbers have dropped somewhat.

In March 2005 28 people attended the first meeting of the Friends of Babbacombe Cliff Railway, a support group in co-operation with Torbay Council, which formed to preserve protect and promote the Babbacombe Cliff Railway.

The Cliff Railway opening times are 9.30am to 5pm, seven days a week, and the last up journey is signaled by the ringing of 'Talca', an old ship's bell, 30 and 15 minutes before the railway closes.

Visit www.friendsofbabbacombecliffrailway.org.uk for more information, and be sure not to come to Torquay without at least one trip on this historical gem.

2 comments:

Mary said...

Torquay is flooded by many tourists because of it's wonderful beaches. so, the population will be up for summer i bet. I'd love to spend summer at Torquay holiday cottages myself.

clayts said...
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