Blue Plaques in Paignton

Blue Plaques are permanent signs installed by The English Heritage Scheme in public places act as a historical marker to commemorate a link between that particular location and a famous or historic event, person, or former building on the site. South Devon is not short of these shiny blue plaques, in fact, if we were to name every single plaque on a one blog post, it would seem endless! So, for our first Blue Plaque blog post, here’s a list of all the buildings with Blue Plaques in Paignton, and their significance. 

Southfield Methodist Church, 45 Cecil Rd, Paignton TQ3 2SH 

This Plaque commemorates 200 years of Christian worship in this church.  

Oldway Mansion, Torquay Rd, Paignton TQ3 2TY 

Placed to commemorate the building built by Isaac Merrit Singer in 1874 and renovated to its present form by his son Paris Singer in 1904. 

The Redcliffe Hotel (Redcliffe Tower), Marine Dr, Paignton TQ3 2NL 

Colonel Robert Smith (1787 – 1873), renowned engineer, artist and architect in India designed Redcliffe in 1852 as his home.  

The Palace Hotel, Esplanade Rd, Paignton TQ4 6BJ 

The Palace Hotel now stands in place of Steartfield House (Build Circa 1870) in which Washington Merritt Grant Singer (1866 – 1934), the second son of Isaac Singer, the founder of the Singer Sewing Machine Co. lived here between 1887 – 1909. 

The Paignton Club, 1 The Esplanade, Esplanade Rd, The Esplanade, Paignton TQ4 6ED 

The plaque here stands to commemorate The Paignton Club built and continuously ran as a private member’s club since its opening on 22nd December 1884 by architect George S. Bridgeman and builder C & R. E. Drew.  

Primley House, Totnes Rd, Paignton TQ3 3SB 

Here resided the Belfied Family and later Herbert Whitley (1886 – 1995) a biologist and founder of Paignton Zoological Park and Botanical Gardens. 

Barclay’s Bank, Palace Avenue, Paignton, TQ3 3ET 

In 1889 – 1897 this building was owned and lived in by Oliver Heaviside F.R.S (1850 – 1925), a mathematician and scientist known worldwide for his contribution to electromagnetic theory and prediction of the Heaviside Layer off which radio signal reflected. 

The Original Factory Shop, Palace Avenue, TQ3 3ET 

Rossiters, a department store founded by Sarah and Jane Rossier moved to this site in 1888 and celebrated 151 years of business and service before ceasing trade in 2009. 

Paignton Clink, Church Street Mews, Paignton, TQ3 3FF 

This plaque sites the historical landmark of Paignton Clink, a unique medieval lock-up for petty offenders, last used in 1867.  

Bishops Place Surgery, 1 – 4 Bishops Place, Paignton TQ3 3DZ 

1 – 4 Bishops Place, which is now Bishops Surgery, built in 1857 by Isambard Kingdom Brunel for the doctor, architect, engineer and supplies manager of the South Devon Railway.  

Hookhills Viaduct, Broadsands Rd, Paignton TQ4 6HQ 

This plaque commemorates the 85-foot-high viaduct designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel constructed from 1860 and open in 1864.  

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