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holiday@torbay.gov.uk
Tel: 01803 211 211

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Torquay Gardens

Abbey Park

Sea Front, Torquay

The Park opened in 1924. The pond and water rock garden, both original features, have undergone a significant makeover in recent years with a total replant of the rock garden and surrounding borders, as well as the installation of a new fountain and new lighting.
In 2000, an avenue of flowering cherries was planted to commemorate the Millennium, running from the seafront to the centre of the gardens. The show-piece of the park is the Italian Gardens which display a fine collection of Torbay Palms (Cordyline australis). Admission FREE. Open daily and all year, disabled access, accessible by public transport.

Brunel Woods

Brunel Avenue (or Seymour Drive), Watcombe, Torquay

Isambard Kingdom Brunel fell in love with the area known as Watcombe Park while working on the Great Western Railway during 1847.

The setting was perfect due to its wonderful views looking down the south-facing valley towards the Bay and he promptly purchased 135 acres of land with a view to building a house and grounds for his retirement. Brunel carefully landscaped the lands under the guidance of Alexander Forsyth - a leading garden designer of his day, noted for his experience in planting large estates, Alton Towers being his most famous. In recent years Brunel Woods has become a Listed Historical Garden and is predominantly woodland however many of the species and features of Brunel's time continue to survive.

In 1993 Torbay Borough Council celebrated the regeneration of Watcombe Woods which had been damaged by the storms in 1990. They commissioned sculpture artist Keith Barrett to carve what is known as Brunel's Dance in Brunel Woods. The central column which represents Brunel's engineering achievements is carved from Sequoia. Brunel and Fire figures carved from Douglas fir, water figure carved from Cedar. The fire and water carvings represent steam power used by Isambard Kingdom Brunel.

Admission FREE. Open daily, all year round, disabled access (limited), accessible by public transport.
Tel: 01803 606035. www.countryside-trust.org.uk

Brunel Manor Gardens

Teignmouth Road, Watcombe, Torquay

The gardens at Brunel Manor are evidence of a relatively unknown side of Isambard Kingdom Brunel. It was here that he spent last twelve years of his working life - his happiest days with his family and a time when he became deeply involved in the local community. Foundations for Brunel Manor were laid in 1854 however Brunel himself passed away in 1859 and never saw his house completed.

He carefully landscaped the Manor grounds, constructed a series of water gardens through the valley, the top pond of which is in the manor grounds. He planted many varieties of quite rare trees from all round the world on the slopes; much of his arboretum can still be seen although many of the trees are now over mature. Brunel terraced the gardens, laid the foundations and built the cellars of the house he had helped design.

Visitors to the gardens can enjoy seeing many original trees, including two fine specimen Araucaria Araucana trees (monkey puzzle), cobble lined paths, footings for the Teignmouth Road bridge, the water cascade and upper pond, Brunel's seat - his lookout over the bay, the Italian Gardens and Terraces. There is a garden trail with interpretation panels and inside the Manor an exhibition showing the history of Brunel at Watcombe, including copies of Brunel's original planting notes and records of tree growth from his Watcombe Garden Book.

Admission FREE. Open Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Sunday afternoons, all year round, disabled access (limited), teashop, accessible by public transport.

Tel: 01803 329333. www.brunelmanor.com

Cockington Court and Country Park

Cockington, Torquay

A dwelling has stood at this site since Saxon times and is also mentioned in the Domesday Book. The grounds underwent radical changes during the 18th century, with further improvements by Sir Edwin Lutyens in the 19th century.

Some key features in the gardens include organic kitchen garden, rose garden, ponds as well as the home of the National Collection of Hickory Trees (Carya).
Situated just beyond the grounds stands the Drum Inn. Originally built in 1935, the development was interrupted by World War II and has never been completed until recently.
You will find an extensive network of footpaths within the Park, indeed you can even walk around the entire perimeter. It is also within walking distance from Torquay (less than a mile from the seafront), or you can catch the Cockington bus from opposite the Torbay Hotel in Torquay. In the summer months you can also travel from horsedrawn carriage from the seafont.
Admission FREE. Open daily and all year round, Disabled access, restaurant/teas, 7 craft workshops, accessible by public transport.
Tel: 01803 606035. www.countryside-trust.org.uk

Princess Gardens

Seafront, Torquay

The Gardens take their name from Princess Louise, the then Princess Royal and fourth daughter of Queen Victoria, who in May 1890 laid the foundation stone for the "pleasure ground" and Promenade Pier (completed June 1895). The foundation stone is located between the Princess Theatre and the War Memorial.

The gardens were opened in 1894. One of the most eye-catching features which still dominates the gardens today is the cast iron ornamental fountain which was a gift from Mr. H. Young from the nearby Torbay Hotel.
Admission FREE. Open daily, all year round, disabled access, restaurant/cafeteria, accessible by public transport.

Royal Terrace Gardens (Rock Walk)

Seafront (opposite Princess Gardens), Torquay

Around the time of the construction of Princess Pier and Gardens, and the widening of Torbay Road, a raised walk was laid out, running along the foot of the towering cliff of Waldon Hill. This became known as Royal Terrace Gardens and is also referred to as Rock Walk.
Originally the Gardens, opened in 1893, were festooned with many sub-tropical plants. Today, palms, yucca and other exotics continue to line the network of paths, along with a wide variety of shrubs and trees.
By day you will witness splendid views across Princess Gardens, the harbour and Tor Bay, by night well placed illuminations combine with the vegetation to create a romantic environment.

Admission FREE. Open daily, all year round. Disabled access (limited), accessible by public transport.

Tessier Gardens

Lindridge Road, Babbacombe, Torquay

Hidden away between Babbacombe and St. Marychurch, Tessier Gardens is a small and delightful park that was given to the town in 1933 by Mrs H A Tessier "for the use of adults only". In the same year a 'Sun Temple' was constructed in the Gardens, as recognition of her generosity.
In 1975 a scented garden for the blind was planted with the Botanical names of the plants etched in Braille on copper plates.
In accordance with the covenants bestowed upon the council in 1933, children under the age of 18 are not strictly permitted in the park, however under 18s are actively invited to use the park under adult supervision.
Admission FREE. Open daily, all year round, disabled access, accessible by public transport.

Torre Abbey

The Kings Drive, Torquay

The Abbey began in 1196 as a monastery for Premonstratensian canons. Since then it has been home to many of Torbay's most important residents until it was sold to the Council in 1930 and was opened to the public for the first time.

Torre Abbey's walled garden offers a quiet haven from the bustle of Torquay town centre and promenade. Laid out in the 17th Centry on the site of the Abbey burial ground, the garden was used by the Cary family to grow flowers, vines, asparagus, apples and hops.
Sheltered behind high sandstone walls, on a south-facing slope in the warmest corner of the English Riviera, the walled garden of today provides an ideal environment for bedding plants and rare sub tropical species. Along with the fine displays of flowers, you will also find a Palm House, a cactus house, a herb garden and a New Zealand boarder.

The Palm House was originally erected in 1939 and for years it was the largest in the country. Rebuilt in 1969, it is now home to many sub-tropical plants and some palms scarce within this country.

Among the wide variety of plants housed are Strelitzia, Orchids, Boganivillias and Solanium. As well as rare plants and flowers, the grounds of Torre Abbey contain a number of plants of great historical interest. For instance, there is a fine Magnolia grandiflora dating from the 1900ss, a male olive bush first recorded in 1832, and a prop-supported mulberry tree, the sole survivor of a pair that were planted to commemorate the marriage of Henry George Cary to Emily Shedden in 1827.

Admission FREE to the Gardens. The Abbey is currently embarking upon the largest heritage restoration project in the South West, aided by a major grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund. The Abbey is expected to re-open to the public for Easter 2008.