Torre Abbey
Abbey/Priory
The Kings Drive, Torquay, Devon, TQ2 5JE
From
£3.50
My Planner
To build your own Itinerary, click 
to add an item to your Itinerary basket.
Already saved an Itinerary?
To build your own Itinerary, click to add an item to your Itinerary basket.
Already saved an Itinerary?
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.
A Visual Guide is now available for Torre Abbey, The Guide is a site specific online tool to help people plan and consider their visit to a new place. The Visual Guide shows anything from functional information like entry prices, parking and facilities, but also highlights elements like sound levels, lighting types, spaces and bespoke features that may cause alarm or confusion.
| Ticket Type | Ticket Tariff |
|---|---|
| Adult | £9.00 per ticket |
| Children & teens (Up to 19 years) | £3.50 per ticket |
| Family (2 adults, including children) | £20.00 per ticket |
| Family (1 adult, including children) | £12.00 per ticket |
Adult Annual Membership (unlimited access for 12 months) £18.00
Family Membership (2 adults, including children) £30.00
Family Membership (1 adult, including children) £20.00
We're Good to Go 2020| Open all year (23 Jan 2021 - 18 Dec 2021) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Day | Times | |
| Monday | Closed* | |
| Tuesday - Wednesday | 10:00 | - 17:00* |
| Thursday | Closed* | |
| Friday - Saturday | 10:00 | - 17:00* |
| Sunday | Closed* | |
* Torre Abbey is closed until Saturday 23 January. We look forward to welcoming you back soon.
We are open on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Pre Booking is highly recommended, but you can ask on our front desk if we have slots free on the day.
Torre Abbey Spring Open Art Exhibition: Chasing RainbowsRainbows are not just a beautiful natural phenomenon, they represent peace and hope and the metaphorical promise of sunshine after the rain. In 2020 they were used as a powerful emblem of solidarity with our NHS and key workers, while throughout history they have been given a spiritual meaning in…
Grease Sing-A-Long - Outside CinemaGreased Lightning! An amazing outdoor cinema experience at Torquay Recreation Ground with a Sing-A-Long showing of the classic Grease!
Film starts shortly after sunset - approx 22:00
Running time is 1 hour 50 minutes
Film rated PG
Picnics welcome but NO glass. Alcohol must be…
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…
Torre Abbey Open Air Cinema FestivalBack bigger and better than ever in 2021! Returning for a fourth year the screening of iconic and blockbuster movies in our stunning gardens and amongst the Abbey ruins.
We know the good old British weather can sometimes let us down which is why this time, if it's raining we will be hosting…
International Agatha Christie Events at Torre AbbeyThe aim of the Festival is to demonstrate that great art is for everyone and widen participation in the arts, while satisfying the traditional demands of the loyal Agatha Christie fan-base.
International Agatha Christie FestivalAgatha 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 Festival, supported by the Arts Council of England, and this year is no exception.
Winter Fest - Torre AbbeyJoin us for our 4th Winter Fest event here at Torre Abbey!
This year we will be hosting it in the stunning setting of the Spanish Barn as well as the in the house itself, as part of the Abbey Christmas programme of events.
This charming event offers visitors the chance to buy a range of unique…
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.
--- 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.
Do not touch! is the warning for all visitors to the Potent Plants Garden at Torre Abbey.…
Don’t miss the Italian Gardens, which form part of Abbey Park and Meadows. Here you’ll…
LIFESTYLE HEALTH & FITNESS SUITE One Of Torquay's Longest Standing Gyms With Experienced…
No matter what the weather our pool offers great fun for all the family! With wave…
9 Hole Pitch n' Putt On Stunning Greens, 10 Tennis Courts, and Lawn Bowls. All Equipment…
This delectable beach is part of the English Riviera and it lives up to its name with its…
Immerse yourself in a gorgeous world of luxury treatments and products by spa specialists…
18 Hole Jungle themed adventure golf course. Wind your way through the jungle using your…
Abbey Meadows and Gardens is situated on Torquay Seafront. The meadow is a large open…
Drift back into the style and opulence of the Jazz Age as you retrace the steps of the…
Relax, unwind or keep fit at The Grand Hotel. Our Leisure Club has something to please…
Awards are based on quality of management, cleanliness, water quality and other criteria.…
Artizan is an independent, fine art gallery situated on the English Riviera's stunning…
CreativeTorbay.com is the hub for arts, events, and entertainment on the English Riviera.
Landscaped gardens on the side of the cliff face on Torquay's seafront with stunning…
With 3.3million visitors every year, the English Riviera is South Devon’s beautiful bay…
Agatha Christie Mile, TorquayDrift back into the style and opulence of the Jazz Age as you retrace the steps of the world’s best-selling author along Torquay’s seafront.
Torre Abbey, TorquaySet within 18 acres of parkland and gardens with spectacular views of the sea, Torre Abbey is the perfect romantic celebration to hold your wedding celebration.
Torre Abbey Meadows, TorquayAbbey Meadows and Gardens is situated on Torquay Seafront. The meadow is a large open space used by all for events and picnics. The park itself is host to a range of activities, such as tennis and crazy golf; it also houses the Italian Gardens with its attractive pond with fountain and water rock…
Copyright 2021 English Riviera BID Company Ltd. All Rights Reserved
