Torre Abbey

Book Tickets Online

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.

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.

Guide Prices

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

Awards

Visit Britain We're Good to Go 2021
Regional and Miscellaneous WTTC Safe Travels 2021

Opening Times

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.

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

From £3.50

Events

7th Aug 2021 - 26th Sept 2021

“Chelston in Lockdown" Exhibition - Torre AbbeyChelston in Lockdown - A Sleeping Beauty During the first lockdown, local artist Fred Gray was awarded a "Create to Recover" grant by the TDA to paint a series of studies of the buildings of Chelston - from the Belle Époque to terraced housing. All were inspired by the artist’s enforced walks…: more info

11th Sept 2021 - 28th Nov 2021

Agatha Christie: Destination Unknown - Torre AbbeyA journey in poetry, pictures, and archaeology A new exhibition about Agatha Christie will open in Torre Abbey this autumn. After her mother’s death, an unexpected divorce and her own disappearance, Agatha, already a world-famous author, made a pivotal decision. She needed to escape England and…: more info

26th Sept 2021 - 26th Sept 2021

The Greenhouse - Torre AbbeyCome on a journey around the globe playing world roots rhythms with Drum Devon this summer. Places are limited, so book early to avoid disappointment. Four week blocks of weekly sessions, starting on 11 July and 8 August. Block bookings advisable. Adult: 10am -11.30am Family/Under 16’s: 12noon…: more info

5th Oct 2021 - 21st Oct 2021

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

27th Nov 2021 - 28th Nov 2021

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…: more info

TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating:

813 reviews

Travelers Choice 2021

Excellent
529
Very Good
232
Average
33
Poor
11
Terrible
8

Recent Reviews:

splodge2021
Devon, United Kingdom
Outside only
2nd Sept 2021
Lovely grounds, we were walking through on our way to the sea front. The Abbey is beautiful maybe if we stay again we will go into the Abbey itself Read full review
490shirleyannp
Southport, United Kingdom
Jewel in the crown
4th Sept 2021
Found this place fascinating . A great mix of art history and beautiful gardens. Lovely guides and nice cafe. Really worth the money Read full review
Lynne5495
Isle of Wight, United Kingdom
Trip Type:
Couples
It’s Lost Something
11th Sept 2021
Four of us visited Torre Abbey, firstly we were told to go over to the council carpark across the road as they have only a few spaces for disabled visitors. That cost £3.50, walked back in and went... 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.