Torre Abbey

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About Us

An English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark Key Site.

Torre Abbey is Torbay's most historic building, an ancient scheduled monument dating back to 1196 set within 18 acres of garden and parkland.

The Abbey's story began with the arrival of an abbot and six canons at Torre, they had been sent from Welbeck Abbey in Nottinghamshire following the gift of land from the Lord of the Manor of Torre, William Brewer. Rich fertile land, proximity to the sea and stone from a nearby headland provided the founding medieval Premonstratensian Monks with all the resources they needed to establish Torre Abbey.

Today the Abbey is a real hive of activity where world class exhibitions are shown side-by-side with creative work from local emerging talents. You can learn about the early years and the Georgian Cary Family who resided in the Abbey for hundreds of years. The fascinating Cary Family invited Horatio Nelson for a dinner party, this is recreated in the Dining Room.

With over 600 incredible works of art from the 18th century to the presen day, our 800 years of history gallery explores local history, heritage and stories through interactive displays, talking portraits and videos, which really makes the Abbey a truly unique place to visit.

Our award winning garden is famed for exuberant plantings of herbaceous perennials, roses and dahlias. Rare shrubs and trees flourish in the English Riviera climate. Our Palm and Cactus Houses contain tropical and sub-tropical plants including endangered palms from Kew Gardens.

All year round the gardens celebrate the achievements of Torquay's most famous resident 'Agatha Christie' through the Potent Plants Garden. You'll be surprised by the range of sinister but beautiful plants on show. Fans of the writer can also interpret the plants and clues in the four outside beds and solve the mystery of the missing story titles.

We are a family-friendly museum, all year round we offering special house and garden trails and quizzes, learning activities, dressing up and a wide range of workshops. Torre Abbey is accessible for prams and children, with a lift running to each floor, buggy parking and baby-changing faciltities. We welcome picnicking in our gardens, and have plenty of spots to enjoy alfresco dining.

Our gift shop is open during Abbey opening hours, selling everything from locally produced gin, preserves and sweets, to traditional toys, plants, gardening accessories, mugs and annual memberships.

During August we hold our Outdoor Cinema Festival, showing a range of cult classics, blockbuster movies and family favourites under the stars in our romantic ruins. For each screening our licensed pop-up bar is open selling a range of refreshments and movie snacks.

For full details on all of our exhibitions, events and workshops visit our website.

Guide Prices

Ticket Type	Ticket Tariff
Adult	£8.00 per ticket
Children & teens (Up to 19 years)	Free
Garden Only Adult Ticket	£2.50 per ticket
Garden Only Senior	£2.00 per ticket
Senior	£7.00 per ticket

1196 Club Annual Membership: £16 or £30 for joint ticket (2 adults). Children go free. Group discounts available.

Opening Times

Open all year (2 Jan 2020 - 31 Dec 2020)
Day	Times
Monday	Closed*
Tuesday - Sunday	10:00	- 17:00*

* Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am till 5 pm
Open on Bank Holiday Mondays in April, May and August
Closed on 24th December to 2nd January

Dates and times marked with a '*' are provisional and may be subject to change

From £0.00

Events

16th May 2020 - 31st Aug 2020

POSTPONED - The Art of Selling Songs: Music Graphics from the V&AThe Art of Selling Songs: Music Graphics from the V&A From paint strokes to pixels, the Rolling Stones to Blur, this fascinating collection from the V&A will take you on a journey through music. Featuring 80 iconic objects including album covers, sleeve notes, programmes and posters all which…: more info

1st June 2020 - 31st Aug 2020

'Lockdown' - Young People's Photography Competition 2020We are living through extraordinary times and although our freedom of movement is currently limited, our freedom of expression isn’t. With this in mind, we are excited to be working with the Royal Photographic Society (South West Branch) to run a young person’s photography competition inspired by…: more info

13th Aug 2020 - 13th Aug 2020

14th Aug 2020 - 14th Aug 2020

15th Aug 2020 - 15th Aug 2020

19th Aug 2020 - 19th Aug 2020

20th Aug 2020 - 20th Aug 2020

21st Aug 2020 - 21st Aug 2020

22nd Aug 2020 - 22nd Aug 2020

23rd Aug 2020 - 23rd Aug 2020

CANCELLED - Torre Abbey Open Air Cinema FestivalReturning for a fourth consecutive year the screening of iconic and blockbuster movies in our garden. We know the good old British weather can sometimes let us down which is why this year, if it's raining we will be hosting screenings in our Spanish Barn meaning we will never have to cancel a…: more info

12th Sept 2020 - 12th Sept 2020

Naughty By Nature! (Heritage Open Days)For this year’s Heritage Open Days we are going a bit “Carry On” with our naughty horticulture trail. From Latin names that will make you blush, to plants that look a bit saucy, the Naughty by Nature virtual Trail will reveal the gardens at Torre Abbey in a whole new light (Please note this will be…: more info

15th Sept 2020 - 19th Sept 2020

11th Sept 2021 - 18th Sept 2021

International Agatha Christie Festival - CANCELLED IN 2020, BACK IN 2021PLEASE NOTE: The 2020 Festival has been cancelled. The 2021 festival will take place on 11th-18th September 2021. Agatha Christie is Torquay's most well-known resident and the best selling author of all time. Every year Torquay celebrates the life and work of its most famous resident with a…: more info

3rd Oct 2020 - 3rd Oct 2020

Torbay Chocolate FestivalEducational, Ethical and Delicious Our mission is to share our passion for, and educate about the fine quality, bean-to-bar, ethically produced chocolate being made right here in the UK. Over our one day celebration of chocolate, you will be able to discover some of the UK’s most passionate and…: more info

17th Oct 2020 - 2nd Nov 2020

Torbay Guild of Artists ExhibitionA showcase of stunning images by the Torbay Guild of Artists. This exhibition will be held in the Spanish Barn. Entry to the exhibition is free. The Guild is an organisation for local artists to exhibit original work. They have painters, sculptors, ceramists and other various producers of…: more info

8th Nov 2020 - 8th Nov 2020

Spanish Barn Wedding FestivalHosted by Prism Events Prism Events present the Spanish Barn Wedding Festival. The barn will be beautifully set for a wedding ceremony, with live music, an outside caterer, mobile bar, bunting, a catwalk wedding dress exhibition and a whole lot more. This promises to be a unique wedding…: more info

1st Dec 2020 - 1st Dec 2020

11th Dec 2020 - 11th Dec 2020

Workshops - Torre AbbeyJoin us this Christmas at Torre Abbey to create a unique willow artwork for your home or garden with Willow Artist and Sculptor Victoria Westaway. Victoria has created sculptures for both RHS Chelsea and Hampton Court Flower shows, she exhibits nationally, works to commission and loves sharing…: more info

5th Dec 2020 - 6th Dec 2020

Winter Fest - Torre AbbeyThis Christmas, Torre Abbey will be hosting its fourth Winter Fest event in the historic setting of the museum. We are now looking for local artists and makers to join us, selling some truly unique Christmas gifts. This promises to be charming event in the heart of Torquay and the perfect…: more info

1st July 2021 - 30th Aug 2021

Journey: Mayflower 400 - Torre AbbeySuitable for all ages Entry to this event is included with normal admission Journeys: Mayflower 400 The Tamar Valley Printmakers (UK) and the Cape Cod Printmakers (USA) are presenting a new body of artistic work inspired by the journey taken by the Mayflower 400 years ago. Each artists will use…: more info

TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating:

790 reviews

Certificate of Excellence 2019

Excellent
518
Very Good
225
Average
30
Poor
10
Terrible
7

Recent Reviews:

30aileenc
South Petherton, United Kingdom
Trip Type:
Couples
Fascinating
18th Mar 2020
Make sure that you leave plenty of time to see this fascinating experience. Ticket overs two days and if you get some nice weather the gardens are also well worth seeing. Wonderful place. Read full review
enavarros
Guayaquil, Ecuador
Nice and Historic
21st Apr 2020
It was great to see so much history and culture in a place. It is the beginning of spring so everything is shinning and colorful. It is a must Read full review
ystrdy
Torquay, United Kingdom
Excellent place to visit especially the wonderful gardens.
9th June 2020
Look out for the lesser spotted head gardener and her sidekick who will be more than happy to help you with info regarding the huge range of rare and beautiful plants in the walled garden. Definitely... Read full review

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Directions

Map Link

Road Directions

Torre Abbey is 10 minutes drive from most areas of Torquay, 20 minutes from Paignton and 50 minutes from Plymouth and Exeter. From Exeter and the east:From Exeter and the east, follow signs for Torquay A380, then Torquay Seafront A3022. You will arrive at a 5 roads junction with the gates to the Abbey ahead of you. There is no parking in the grounds but you can take 2nd exit, Chestnut Avenue for parking at the front of the Riviera International Centre OR sharp right, Walnut Road for Torre Valley car park. Both are just 2 minutes walk from the Abbey and are pay and display. From Babbacombe, Paignton and other areas of Torbay:Follow the seafront and turn into Rathmore Road, immediately next to the Grand Hotel. Follow this road with the station on you left and you will reach the five roads junction – sharp left for Walnut Road, Torre Valley car park and straight across for Chestnut Avenue, Riviera Centre car park.

Public Transport Directions

--- By Bus -----------The Abbey is 5 minutes walk from all seafront bus routes. In summer the Torquay road train will call in to the Abbey grounds. --- By Train -----------Torre Abbey is 10 minutes walk from Torquay Rail Station (not Torre). From the station head NE along the seafront then approach the Abbey along The King’s Drive.