The Shirley, Torquay ➤ Reviews, Rooms & Prices 2026

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The Shirley Bed & Breakfast Torquay Exterior photo

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Key details

About the Hotel

Braddons Hill Road East, Torquay, United Kingdom

Steps from the main harbour and town centre

Perfect

9.3

9.5

/10

4.8

Loved by The Shirley Bed & Breakfast guests

Friendly hosts
Comfortable beds
Delicious breakfast
Super clean rooms

"Our room no 4 was extremely comfortable, t.v, small fridge with fresh milk, tea and coffee facilities, hairdryer and a large fabulous bed."

Deborah P from United Kingdom

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"Breakfast was pre ordered the night before for the hot food, plenty of variety expertly cooked by Sophie, there is choice of juices, cereal, yoghurts and fresh fruit."

Maurjay from United Kingdom

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"The hotel itself is an attractive and interesting old building just far enough away from the harbour and centre to be quiet but still within easy reach."

Perry from United Kingdom

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Accommodations

The Shirley offers 4-star accommodations in individually styled en-suite bedrooms, each equipped with a color television and integrated DVD. The hotel guarantees a comfortable stay with complimentary toiletries, fresh milk, and tea/coffee making facilities. Every room is designed with guest convenience in mind, ensuring a satisfying experience on the English Riviera.

Dining

The Shirley is known for its Award Winning Breakfasts, recognized with the Enjoy England.com Breakfast Award. The extensive breakfast menu features locally sourced ingredients, including a full English breakfast, smoked salmon, and continental options. Guests can enjoy meals in a dining room with a sunny aspect that overlooks the surroundings.

Location

Located within central Torquay, The Shirley provides convenient access to the conference center and the 22 miles of coastline nearby. Guests can easily walk to various attractions, with a bus service also available from the sea front. Parking is offered with a private on-site free car park to accommodate guests' vehicles.

Leisure Amenities

The hotel features a well-stocked bar and comfortable guest lounge, ideal for relaxing after a day of exploration. A sun terrace extends the opportunity for outdoor relaxation. Guests can take advantage of water coolers on each floor for added convenience.

Guest Services

The Shirley provides attentive and personal service, aiming to make every guest feel welcome. Assistance with luggage is readily available to enhance the ease of the stay. Staff are on hand to offer advice on local attractions and dining options.

Highlights

Dining: Award Winning Breakfasts recognized with the Enjoy England.com Breakfast Award

Location: Central Torquay near beaches and attractions

Accommodations: Individually styled en-suite bedrooms

Leisure: Well stocked bar and comfortable guest lounge

“The family-run Victorian hotel impressed me with its location and personalized service. I was also drawn to its unique, individually styled rooms, award-winning breakfasts, and rare-for-the-area complimentary parking. It is my opinion that it delivers a particularly charming and convenient stay in Torquay.”

Anna BlackEditor-in-Chief at Tohotel

Location: Perfect

9.2/10Review score

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Highlights from guests

DiningBreakfast Champion!

The Full English was superb! A wide variety of breakfast options are available with good quality ingredients. The omelet is a must-try!

Charles from England

Review on

Room FeaturesHome Comforts

The room was spacious and spotlessly clean. I appreciated the fridge with fresh milk, bottled water, and tea/coffee. The bed was very comfortable.

Marie from France

Review on

Guest ParkingParking Peace

I had no issue with parking. There's on-site parking and on-road parking. I never had to search for a parking spot.

Hans from Netherlands

Review on

BedroomSweet Dreams

The super king-size bed on the top floor was so comfortable and quiet. I slept very well and felt refreshed every morning.

Alessia from Italy

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Select your room type

The Shirley Bed & Breakfast offers a variety of rooms including double rooms, family rooms, and suites with breakfast, free cancelations, and special deals

Double Room

2 persons

155 sq. feet

1 King-size bed

Shower

Heating

room details

Deluxe Double Room

2 persons

270 sq. feet

2 Single beds

Shower

Heating

room details

Family Room Bathroom

2 persons

345 sq. feet

2 Single beds or 1 Queen-size bed

Shower

Heating

room details

Superior Double Room

2 persons

345 sq. feet

2 Single beds or 1 Queen-size bed

Shower

Heating

room details

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Facilities

The Shirley Bed & Breakfast offers amenities for your comfortable stay and unforgettable experiences

Facilities: Perfect

9.2/10Review score

General

No smoking on site
Wi-Fi
Parking
No pets allowed
Luggage storage

Guest Parking

Electric kettle

Services

Housekeeping
Welcome drink

Dining

Bar/ Lounge area
Special diet menus

Spa & Leisure

Sun terrace

Room features

Heating
Sitting area
Terrace
Garden furniture
Tea and coffee facilities
Ironing facilities

Bathroom

Free toiletries

Self-catering

Electric kettle

Media

Flat-screen TV

Room decor

Carpeted floor

The Shirley Bed & Breakfast Location

Braddons Hill Road East, Torquay, United Kingdom

Map view

Braddons Hill Road East, Torquay, United Kingdom

City landmarks

Monument

Kents Cavern

4700 ft

Zoo

Living Coasts

3500 ft

Landmark

Riviera International Centre

1.2 mi

Museum

Torquay's Dinosaur World

2100 ft

Landmark

Haddon Galleries

2200 ft

Landmark

The Real Crime Museum

2500 ft

Landmark

Babbacombe Model Village

1.4 mi

Beach

Meadfoot Beach

3600 ft

Landmark

Inner Harbour

2500 ft

Harbour

Torquay Harbour

2500 ft

Park

Torre Abbey Museum and Gardens

1.2 mi

Garden

Cary Gardens

3100 ft

Landmark

K's Amusements

2000 ft

Landmark

The Royal Terrace Gardens

4300 ft

Landmark

Torquay Marina

2700 ft

Gallery

Artizan Gallery

4900 ft

Landmark

Bygones

1.3 mi

Stadium

Torquay United FC

1.4 mi

Bridge

South West Coast Path Walk- Meadfoot & London Bridge

4300 ft

Beach

Oddicombe Beach

1.3 mi

Landmark

Princess Gardens

2400 ft

Landmark

English Riviera Visitor Information Centre

2500 ft

Beach

Beacon Cove

2400 ft

Landmark

Babbacombe

1.4 mi

Landmark

Pavilion

1.1 mi

Landmark

Play Cafe

5100 ft

Landmark

Babbacombe & Oddicombe

1.4 mi

Nearby

Museum

Torquay Musuem

700 ft

Church

Riviera Life Church

600 ft

Amusement Park

Rainbow Funhouse

1300 ft

Restaurants

Smokey Joes Torquay

1300 ft

64 Torwood Street

The Shack

1400 ft

43 Torwood Street

Ephesus Torquay

1500 ft

48 Torwood Street

Amici

1700 ft

29 Torwood Street

Maha - Bharat

1400 ft

52 Torwood Street

Biancos

1600 ft

38 Torwood Street

Simla Spice

1600 ft

39-41 Torwood Street

Daisycakes

1400 ft

480 Babbacombe Road

Explore Torquay

Torquay Museum

3 minutes' walk

The Torquay Museum showcases local history and archaeology with fascinating exhibits and free admission days.

Living Coasts

13 minutes' walk

A coastal zoo and aquarium focusing on marine life, with engaging feeding displays and picturesque views.

Haddon Galleries

8 minutes' walk

Exhibition space featuring contemporary art from local and national artists, ideal for art enthusiasts.

Torquay's Dinosaur World

8 minutes' walk

A family-friendly attraction showcasing life-size dinosaur models, offering interactive experiences perfect for kids.

Water Sports at Meadfoot Beach

13 minutes' walk

Engaging in paddleboarding and kayaking, with rental services available right on the beach.

Hiking at Cockington Country Park

30 minutes' drive

Beautiful trails and scenic gardens offer a perfect escape for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.

Spa Retreat at The Big Sleep Hotel

6 minutes' drive

Relaxing spa treatments including massages and facials to melt away stress, ideal for unwinding.

Rainbow Funhouse

5 minutes' walk

Unique indoor play area with soft play facilities, perfect for family fun on rainy days.

Ephesus Torquay

6 minutes' walk

Experience delicious Turkish cuisine in a cozy atmosphere, popular for its mezze platters.

Smokey Joes Torquay

5 minutes' walk

A casual eatery known for BBQ dishes and craft beers, great for laid-back dining.

The Shack

5 minutes' walk

Casual vibes with a menu featuring fresh seafood and local produce, perfect for beachgoers.

Amici

6 minutes' walk

Italian favorites in a family-friendly setting, offering pizzas and pasta with vegetarian options.

Inner Harbour

10 minutes' walk

Bustling harbor area with boat trips, cafes, and shops, ideal for an evening stroll.

K's Amusements

10 minutes' walk

Funfair-style games and entertainment appeal to all ages, perfect for family outings.

The Royal Terrace Gardens

16 minutes' walk

A beautiful garden venue often hosting open-air concerts and family-friendly events, creating a lively atmosphere.

Babbacombe Model Village

25 minutes' drive

A charming miniature village featuring detailed scenes and a lovely garden setting, great for all ages.

Getting around

City Centre

Torquay8 min · 2000 ft

Airports

Exeter International (EXT)65 min · 26.8 mi

Train

Torquay Railway Station22 min · 1.1 mi

Bus

Bus stop23 min · 1.2 mi

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Property information and rules

Check-in

from 15:00-19:00

Check-out

from 09:00-10:00

Guest Parking

Private parking is possible on site for free.

Internet

Wireless internet is available in for free.

Breakfast

At the hotel The Shirley guests are invited to a full breakfast served for free.

Pets

Pets are not allowed.

Number of rooms:

Reviews and Ratings

Feedback about The Shirley Bed & Breakfast from previous guests about their experience.

Review summary

Based on recent reviews

Guests consistently praise the spacious and very clean rooms, some mentioning room 11 specifically, which includes a comfortable large bed and ample storage. The hotel's location is ideal, with many restaurants nearby and only a short walk to the harbour. The breakfast receives high marks, offering a cooked breakfast alongside cereals and using fresh, local ingredients; however, a few guests have mentioned rooms on the top floor can get quite hot with limited window opening. The entrance hall is beautifully decorated with preserved Victorian features.

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Review score

Based on 175 verified reviews

9.4/10

Perfect

97%

Recommend

Breakfast

10.0/10

Free Wi-Fi

10.0/10

Paid Wi-Fi

9.1/10

Facilities

9.2/10

Pros

Wonderful hosts

Spotless rooms

Delicious coffee

Ample tea/coffee

Excellent breakfast

Cons

Steep driveway

Oliver from United Kingdom

Single

Double Room

4 nights in November 2025

Reviewed:January 14, 2026

9/10

tea facilitiesfresh milkcentral location

The room included tea and coffee facilities. Fresh milk and water were provided daily, I appreciate this detail. The breakfast had a variety of options. The location was quite central, close to the marina and many restaurants.

The parking spaces WERE a little tight.

0 Helpful

Joshua from United Kingdom

Couple

deluxe double room

4 nights in November 2025

Reviewed:December 29, 2025

9/10

victorian featureslocal produce

alec and sophie showed us around their wonderful accommodation. they gave recommendations of places to dine. the room vista was lovely, wasn't it! the entrance hall is beautifully decorated! the owners preserved victorian features. breakfast included locally sourced produce.

the wi-fi signal was inconsistent at times.

0 Helpful

Evelyn from United Kingdom

Family with children

superior double room

3 nights in June 2025

Reviewed:August 29, 2025

9/10

smart tvquality ingredientsample showering

the room included a smart tv. breakfast had local quality ingredients and several choices were available. i found the ample showering products in the bathroom to be a real plus.

the parking area felt a little tight to maneuver in.

0 Helpful

Questions of the users

About The Shirley

Is there a parking area available for guests?

10 April 2024

Yes, free parking is provided for all guests, with additional roadside parking options available.

Is there a place on the premises where guests can enjoy a drink in the evenings?

15 March 2024

A small bar is located in the lounge area, which remains open until 9 PM for guests to relax with a drink.

Are there any accessibility options for guests with mobility issues?

20 February 2024

The property is accessed via a steep driveway and several steps, and unfortunately, there are no lifts due to conservation regulations. All guest rooms are situated on the first and second floors.

Do guests need to use a credit or debit card to make a reservation?

12 March 2024

A credit or debit card is required for booking as a policy to secure the reservation.

How far is The Shirley from the nearest train station?

5 June 2024

The hotel is located just over 1.6 kilometers from the Torquay train station, making it a convenient choice for travelers.

Are hair dryers provided in the guest rooms?

18 June 2024

Yes, all rooms come equipped with hair dryers for guest convenience.

Is breakfast included in the room rate?

25 April 2024

Yes, the price quoted for accommodation includes a full English breakfast as well as parking at no additional charge.

Is the hotel pet-friendly?

30 April 2024

The Shirley maintains a strict pet-free policy to accommodate guests with allergies, including assistance animals.

How accessible is the hotel for elderly guests?

1 May 2024

Due to the absence of a lift and the number of steps leading to the entrance, the hotel may present challenges for elderly guests. Assistance with luggage is available, and there is a rest area after the first few steps.

Are there any local car hire services nearby?

10 July 2024

While there is no direct car hire service at the property, several online providers can deliver options to the area, with Exeter and Newton Abbot being the closest towns for selection.