Torre Abbey
Abbey/Priory
The Kings Drive, Torquay, Devon, TQ2 5JE
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Founded in 1196 and built using stone from the very headland it overlooks, the Abbey’s story began when the sheltered apex, rich fertile land and proximity to the sea provided the founding medieval Premonstratensian monks with everything they needed to establish their monastery.
Today, as a museum and Ancient Scheduled Monument, you will discover beautifully presented heritage rooms, galleries, art exhibitions, interactive displays, talking portraits and videos which bring our colourful history and art to life. You will also learn more about the rise and the fall of the Georgian Cary Family, who resided there for hundreds of years.
With over 600 incredible works of art from the 18th century to present day, the Abbey’s collection includes Pre- Raphaelite works including Holman Hunt’s ‘The Children’s Holiday’ and Burne-Jones’ drawings of ‘The Planets’. Highlights are the watercolours by Thomas Luny and FJ Widgery and a rare proof set of William Blakes’s Book of Job. Also be sure to visit the Frederick Thrupp Gallery. Battle Scenes, Green and Pleasant Land, The Call of the Sea and Seaside Fun are some of the impressive themed galleries you will happen upon as you meander around.
With its fine gatehouse, guest hall, abbot’s tower and remarkable undercrofts, the Abbey is the best preserved example of a medieval monastery in Devon and Cornwall. It also has one of the five most complete early medieval tithe barns in England. There have been a number of famous visitors to the Abbey. These include Vice-Admiral Lord Nelson (1801), Caroline, Princess of Wales (1809) and Queen Elizabeth II, who has visited on a number of occasions.
The Spanish Barn, adjacent to the house, is so named because it played an important role housing 397 prisoners from the Spanish Armada. The prisoners were taken from the only galleon captured during the conflict - the Nuestra Senora del Rosario.
With a wealth of exotic and exciting plants, the gardens are a tranquil haven of beauty and pleasure, the perfect setting in which to relax, stroll or picnic. Exuberant plantings of herbaceous perennials, roses and dahlias sit in the formal 19th century landscape around the Abbey ruins.
The heated glasshouses, containing tropical and desert plants, are a treat for the senses whatever the season. A new medieval children’s garden is garden within a garden and has been lovingly created to entice people, of all ages, into the fascinating world of medieval plants and their uses. Turf seats, willow tunnels, sensory planting and a fountain offer the opportunity to explore, look, touch, and taste.
Look out for regular visiting art exhibitions and a full event programme including Family Sundays (the last Sunday of each month), open air theatre, open air cinema, concerts and festivals. See website for up-coming events.
| 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.
| Open all year (2 Jan 2019 - 31 Dec 2019) | ||
|---|---|---|
| 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
Doorstep at Torre AbbeyA special imaginative play group for Early Years children and their parents at the beautiful site of Torre Abbey Historical House and Gardens.
Sessions are a combination of 30 minutes of structured activity, alongside 30 minutes of free play. The sessions are tailored for early years children aged…
Scrap Tots - Torre AbbeyHands on scrappy workshops and activities for pre-school children (and their grown-ups). We want Scrap Tots to inspire a new generation of builders, makers, inventors and design thinkers where anything is possible.
Little ones are encouraged to think outside the box or even sit in it and fly it…
The BFG in Pictures - Torre AbbeyThe BFG in Pictures is the first major exhibition of artwork by Quentin Blake for Roald Dahl's enduring tale.
The BFG, the story of orphan Sophie and her giant friend was first published in 1982. It has remained in print ever since, selling more than 50 million copies. Its a story of…
The Jaguar Enthusiasts’ Club of Devon Classic Car ShowBack for its third year The Jaguar Enthusiasts’ Club of Devon brings it annual Classic Car Show to Torre Abbey. You can expect over 100 classic cars from all of your favourite marques, and as a special feature for this year’s show the club will also be celebrating the 60th Anniversary of the Jaguar…
Trove Scrapstore - Torre AbbeyThe Trove Scrapstore is a mobile maker resource hub providing recycled materials to build, make, invent and create.
Available for use by schools, groups, nurseries, individuals and others in arts and crafts.
The Scrapstore will be open on the first Thursday of the month between 10am and 3pm, by…
Into the Mix - Torre AbbeyInto the Mix is a brand new inclusive event for Torbay which aims to bring together diverse people and communities through music, dance, art, food, spoken word, family activities, information and a whole lot more!
In essence it's about meeting your neighbours, celebrating our differences and…
The Wind in the WillowsQuantum Theatre presents The Wind in the Willows
"Believe me, my young friend, there is nothing, absolutely nothing, half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats".
Spring is in the air and Mile has found a wonderful new world. There's boating with Ratty, a feast with Badger and high…
Torre Abbey Open Air Cinema FestivalReturning for a third consecutive year our hugely popular Open Air Cinema Festival.
Set under the stars amongst the stunning romantic ruins of the Abbey’s award winning gardens, popular blockbuster movies will be screened over eight nights.
Film screenings already confirmed for Mary Poppins…
The Comedy of Errors - Open Air TheatreFolky Theatre present Shakespeare's classic tale of mistaken identities.
After being separated from their twins in a shipwreck, Antipholus and his slace Dromio go to Ephesus to find them.
The other set of twins live in Ephesus, and the new arrivals cause a series of hilarious mistaken identity…
Music Mania - Torre AbbeySummer holiday music activities for ages 8+.
Fill the days of the summer holidays with musical activities, combined with other summer fun at Torre Abbey.
Take part in musical workshops, write songs, try new instruments and perform. You'll also get to join in with holiday activities such as 'Pitch…
Storytelling with Libraries Unlimited - Torre AbbeyJoin us and Libraries Unlimited over the summer for storytelling amongst our brand new exhibition 'The BFG in Pictures'.
Storytelling will be taking place on:
Wednesday 7 August
Wednesday 14 August
Wednesday 21 August
This activity is free with normal admission fee to the Abbey (kids and teens…
Workshops - Torre AbbeyCome and join us for a Teddy Bears Picnic, we will be playing our favourite games and bringing our teddy bears to life with lots of fun and imaginative play.
This workshop hosted by Doorstep Arts is a fun opportunity for all our young groups to come together whilst playing games, enjoying a…
Mister Magnolia - Open Air TheatreFolksy Theatre present 'Mister Magnolia' based on the book by Quentin Blake.
Mister Magnolia has many things, such as an old trumpet that goes rooty-toot, some very fat owls learning to hoot, a big purple dinosaur who's a magnificent brute, two sisters who play the flute, and even a swimming pool.…
Torbay Guild of Artists - Summer Festival of ArtTorbay Guild of Artists Summer Festival of Art, featuring original paintings, ceramics, sculptures, metal work, mosaic and other mediums.
The Guild is an organisation for local artists to exhibit original work. They have painters, sculptors, ceramists and other various producers of fine…
Murder, She Didn't Write: The Improvised Murder MysteryPart of the International Agatha Christie Festival
A classic murder mystery is created on the spot in this ingenious and hilarious show from Edinburgh Fringe favourites and The Bristol Improv Theatre’s resident company.
You become the author in this original and hilarious improvised comedy as…
International Agatha Christie Events at Torre AbbeyInternational Agatha Christie Festival is based at Torre Abbey, Torbay’s museum of art and an English Heritage Ancient Scheduled Monument. Torquay railway station is a few minutes walk from the festival venue.
International Agatha Christie FestivalAgatha Christie purists and literary fans rejoice, its that time of year again!
Agatha Christie is Torquay's most well-known resident and the best selling author of all time. Each year we have a number of events on and around her birthday, which falls on 15 September. Agatha and literary fans…
Heritage Open Days at Torre AbbeyEvery year in September, places across the country throw open their doors to celebrate their heritage, community and history. It's your chance to see hidden places and try out new experiences - and it's all FREE!
To celebrate Heritage Open Days we are throwing open the doors to our house and…
Derek Acorah Ghost HuntDerek is one of the world’s most renowned Spiritualist Mediums having demonstrated to millions of people in theatres throughout the UK and beyond over his 25 year career in the public eye.
Derek’s television career dates back over fifteen years when he became the first Medium in the UK to…
Winter Fest - Torre AbbeyThis Christmas, Torre Abbey will be hosting its third 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…
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.
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