Torre Abbey clock towerTorre Abbey undercroftTorre Abbey undercroftsCloister gardenHolman HuntFrederick ThruppMedieval chant'Rower', Sharon WindebankDining RoomThe Spanish BarnJudith Chandler, Body&Mind

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Step through the ancient doors of Torre Abbey and uncover the story of the southwest’s most fascinating restoration project. The Abbey re-opened to the public in 2008 following an extensive restoration revealing the secrets from its medieval past.

Exceptional Art

It would be impossible to find a more appropriate showcase for Torbay’s art collection than historic Torre Abbey, the home of some of the area’s leading citizens for over 800 years. The present appearance of the Galleries at Torre Abbey is largely due to the Cary family who, during the 18th century, refashioned the Abbey as a magnificent country house. Like all country houses, one of the Abbey’s functions was to provide an appropriate setting for its owners’ pictures and portraits, which as well as being intrinsically beautiful served to underline the family’s social standing by demonstrating their wealth, taste, patronage of the arts, and venerable family pedigree.

The present art collection is largely the result of donations or bequests made by local people since 1930, when the Council purchased Torre Abbey from the Cary family and turned it into an art gallery.

The Abbey's permanent collection is particularly rich in 19th century works. These generally reflect the taste of the genteel families, many from London, who bought villas in Torquay during the 19th century, in the days when it served as a fashionable winter resort. The collections include landscapes, marine and genre paintings by British artists, concentrating in particular on views of South Devon and its coastal waters, and works by local artists. The Friends of Torre Abbey was formed in 1992 to raise funds for the benefit of the collections, and has assisted with a number of recent purchases as well as making a substantial contribution to the restoration fund.

Temporary exhibitions will strongly feature contemporary works by artists from the South West and the major annual showcase, Blank Canvas, runs from September to November.

Torquay's Oldest Building

During a massive three-year restoration project some stunning finds have been unearthed including a 14th Century slate grave slab, featuring a tree-of-life carving in near-perfect condition. The slab was excavated from under the cloister walk and would have covered the grave of one of the Abbey's Canons. Explore the ancient undercrofts of the Abbey, built in 1196 for the “White Canons”, named for their distinctive white habits.

The brothers who lived here 800 years ago, when Torquay was just a tiny fishing hamlet, followed a strict regime of silence and prayer. Their austere lives were in contrast to their great wealth, gained from taxes or ‘tithes’ of grain and other produce from the Abbey’s vast lands. The Tithe Barn, built to store the grain, became known as the Spanish Barn after it served as a prison for 400 sailors captured from the Spanish Armada. This is now a popular and unique venue for exhibitions and special events.

A new brass-rubbing centre includes over 50 brasses depicting period scenes and personalities.

Throughout the ages Torre Abbey has welcomed many thousands of visitors: weary travellers cared for by the canons, aristocrats and naval officers hosted by the Carys and Olympic hopefuls attending the 1947 sailing events in the bay. Visitors are now once again welcome to explore Torquay’s oldest and most fascinating building.

Short guided tours are usually available daily at 11.30am and 2.30pm. Please enquire on 01803 293593.

Torre Abbey
The King's Drive
Torquay
TQ2 5JE
tel: 01803 293593
email: torreabbeyenquiries@torbay.gov.uk

View my website http://www.torre-abbey.org.uk/