Isambard Kingdom Brunel
Brunel's famous local work was the Atmospheric Railway, traces of which still remain. As a director of Great Western Rail, he helped revolutionise transport including buses and trams.
One of the best places to start would be the area where Brunel's Watcombe Park estate evolved. Over the years houses have been built on the surrounding land, however two keys areas remain untouched which are Brunel Manor and its grounds, and Brunel Woods.
Brunel Manor is now a hotel and its twelve acres of grounds are still filled with many references to Isambard Kingdom Brunel's original dream, such as the layout of the gardens, with evidence of original path ways, elaborate water systems and some fantastic specimens of the original trees he planted. One key feature is the amazing views across Torbay, the main reason Brunel had chosen the site.
Brunel Woods, which are open to the public all year round, is a marvellous place to witness the trees and shrubs that Isambard Kingdom Brunel had planted with an eye for both texture and colour and are still very much in existence today. Some of the specimens there, which include Monkey Puzzles and Monterey Cypresses, had only just been introduced into Britain and today are amongst some of the biggest examples in the country. 
Some of Brunel's original trees, such as a 13 tonne, 65 foot Sequoia redwood, were unfortunately felled by the 1990 storms. This particular tree was subsequently crafted into a large four piece memorial to Brunel which can be found in the heart of the woods. One piece of the great man himself, and the tallest piece, which takes on the appearance of a totem pole, features carvings of his most famous creations.
Carriage drives were terraced into the hillside which were reinforced by bands of cobbles a foot wide and these still exist today.
Further investigation around Brunel Manor and Brunel Woods will lead to more discoveries from the original estate. Kingsgate Close is an area where houses have now been built however originally it was one of the highest parts of Watcombe Park and is encircled by trees planted by Isambard Kingdom Brunel. Nearby, along Brunel Avenue, there is still evidence of a rockery.
Further afield, along the Newton Road is the original Torre Pumping Station which was put in place as part of Brunel's doomed Atmospheric Railway project. The system was being tested on the Exeter to Newton Abbot line however it was so beset by problems that the scheme was abandoned. He had intended for the system to be employed in the Newton to Torre (Torquay) line however due to its failure this never happened and the pumping station was never used. The Italianate style limestone building with its distinctive campanile chimney is one of the few examples that exist today.
Many of Torbay's Railway Stations clearly show Isambard Kingdom Brunel's influence. Though it no longer functions as a working station apart from the platform and footbridge, Torquay's original train station, Torre, is a fine example of a Brunel wooden station which is based on a limestone foundation. Torquay Station also bears the influence of Brunel and is of the French Pavilion style and has a fine decorative cast iron cresting.
Paignton & Dartmouth Steam Railway is another way to experience Brunel's Riviera. One of the biggest highlights on this stretch of steam railway from Paignton to Kingswear, are the viaducts of Hookhills and Broadsands, two classic examples of Isambard Kingdom Brunel inspired viaducts built in masonry.
- I K Brunel
- 5.8 Mb
© 2009 The English Riviera
Site created and powered by New Mind
To build your own Itinerary, click 
to add an item to your Itinerary basket.
