Torre Abbey

Welcoming visitors for over 800 years…

Torre Abbey is Torbay's most historic building, an ancient scheduled monument dating back to 1196 and set within 18 acres of garden and parkland. It’s also a multi-award-winning visitor attraction housing an impressive art collection boasting over 600 incredible works of art from the 18th century to the present day. Meanwhile, our 800 Years Gallery uses state-of-the-art technology to tell the abbey’s fascinating story through videos, talking portraits and interactive displays.

Torre Abbey is a centre for creativity and culture, offering events and workshops as well as hosting world class exhibitions alongside creative work from the cream of local talent. We also pride ourselves on being family friendly with a range of activities available for youngsters, both inside the historic buildings and outside in our stunning gardens as well.  

Events

Torre Abbey offers an impressive year-round events programme that includes Open Air Theatre Productions in August, the International Agatha Christie Festival in September, Halloween Trail in October and our Winter Fest craft fair every Christmas. We also organise a unique programme of events and exhibitions throughout the year, working with the likes of the British Library, National Gallery and other great institutions.

Family Friendly Activities

We recognise that children are the museum visitors of tomorrow, so we want them to have the best experience possible. With this in mind, we have interactive displays, dressing up areas and an area called The Hidden House for youngsters to explore. We also have free activity sheets that you can pick up at the main desk. We also organise regular treasure hunts and other workshops and activities which tie-in with our visiting exhibitions.

History

Torre Abbey is an archaeological site of national importance. Founded in 1196, it became the wealthiest English monastery of the order of Premonstratensian canons. The extent of its survival makes Torre Abbey the best-preserved medieval abbey in Devon and Cornwall. After King Henry VIII closed the monastery in 1539, two of its former ranges were adapted for use as a private house. From 1662, this house became the home of the Cary family, who lived here for nearly 300 years.

The Gardens

Our award-winning gardens are the pride of Torbay and a real oasis of calm away from the busy seafront. With a wealth of exotic and exciting plants, the gardens are a tranquil haven of beauty and pleasure and 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.