Torre
Abbey was founded in 1196.It's first mask was that of a monastery.It
housed the premonstratensian monks of the order of canons and by
the 15th century it was the richest monastery of the order in the
whole of England.During the reign of Henry V111 the monasteries
faced dissolution and in 1539 the fate of the Torre Abbey monastery
was sealed.
The
Abbey was adapted as a private residence and for hundreds of years
it housed many of Torquay's leading citizens.The Abbots of Torre ,
the lords of Torre Manor , the Cary family and most recently the mayor
of Torbay all boasted Torre Abbey as their official residence.
The
most notable residents of the Abbey were the Cary family who lived
there for 268 years , from 1662 up until 1930.The Carys , who have
helped to develop modern Torquay , were recusant Catholics.They built
a secret chapel under the roof of the west wing and continued to worship
there.In 1779 they converted the former Abbots Hall into a chapel
and this then served as the parish church for local Catholics until
1856.
The
coastal road to Torquay was only built in 1842.Before the railway
some rich visitors would come
by sea on paddle-steamers , which made regular trips along the coast
from London.Interestingly the Cary family opposed the building of
the road as it would spoil their beautiful views and would also allow
people to get closer to their home.
Torre
Abbey comprises two Grade 1 listed buildings and is scheduled as an
ancient monument of national
importance. It is also the most complete medieval Abbey ruins in Devon
and Cornwall , with it's spledid
gatehouse dating back to 1380.
Unfortunately
at the back of the Abbey the church lie in ruins but on the west and
south sides of the
cloisters the stonework does rise to roof level and this gives a clearer
picture of how it would have once
looked.The barrel vault over the chapel dates back to the 15th century
, while underneath visitors can see the undercrofts which would have
been used as service rooms.
The
early monastic 'Tithe Barn' is one of Britain's most complete early
medieval barns.In 1588 the barn
was used to house 400 Spanish prisoners from the Spanish Armada and
so it is now aptly named 'The
Spanish Barn'.
The
apperance of the Abbey today owes to the fact that in 1741-3 the south
wing of the building , which faces the sea , was redecorated to the
classical style of the time.Some years later a mock Tudor folly was
built on the eastern side for use as a brewery.
In
1930 the Abbey was purchased by Torquay Borough council and is today
used as Torbay's municipal art gallery and as the official residence
of the mayor of Torbay.The gallery owns numerous oil and watercolour
works from the 18th-20th century.The most recent aquisitions by the
gallery are by more recent artists, and it is nice to see that the
Abbey is still building on it's already splendid history.
There
are Pre-Raphaelite works such as Holman Hunt's "The Children's
Holiday" and Burn-Jones' drawings of "The Planets".Water-colours
by William Henry Hunt and Thomas Miles Richardson are also included.
The
exhibition at the Abbey has a fine collection of 18th and 19th century
English glass , silver and
pewter.One in particular that captures the imagination of many enthusiasts
around the world is the Brian
Reade collection of Torquay and Watcombe terracottas , which has been
supplemented by donations from the Torquay Pottery Collector's Society.Another
feather in the cap is the collection of drawings , plaster casts and
sculptures by Frederick Thrupp , which is the only one of it's kind
to have survived.
But
by far the most popular exhibition at the Abbey is the Agatha Christie
collection.Dame Agatha Christie was a world renowned crime-writer
and many of her personal effects are on display here.The room is outfitted
in a close approximation of her study as it once would have looked.After
her death her family donated her Remington typewriter , some original
manuscripts , an oil painting of Christie as a young woman , some
family photographs and much more.
When
most people think of Torre Abbey they immediately think of the gardens
and art gallery etc. but not many people realise that there is a darker
side to this building ; no less than three ghosts wander the corridors
of Torre Abbey.The first is a headless monk from the days of the monastery
, the second is an 18th century lady and the third is supposedly a
Spanish lady searching for her long lost love amongst the Spanish
Armada troops imprisoned here.
Apart
from the colourful gardens and the museum the Abbey may be used for
private services such as
christenings , renewal of wedding vows and funerals.
A
thorough tour of the Abbey should take approximately 3-4 hours and
there are refreshments available in the Victorian kitchen , which
has plenty of space.
There
is still much to do after your visit with a Pitch and Putt on Torre
Abbey green , tennis courts
directly opposite , for those with an abundance of energy , and the
beach which is a very short walk from the Abbey.
All
in all a tour of Torre Abbey is a wonderful glance into the history
of Torquay and of it's most historic
building.It is a must see for anyone who is interested in art and
culture.
Torre
Abbey is managed by Torbay Council's Directorate of Education Services.Admission
prices are £3.00 for adults and £1.50 for children.For
more information contact:
Torre Abbey Historic House and Gallery
The Kings Drive
Torquay
TQ2 5JX
Tel:(01803)293 593
Fax:(01803)215 948
