Torbay Landmarks and Monuments

(Brixham / Paignton / Torquay - Torbay, Devon, England, UK)

The most important landmarks around Torbay include some built as a direct result of its coastal setting, with Paignton Pier being one of its most traditional, being loved by locals and tourists alike. One a similar vein, the southern side of Brixham Harbour, around Berry Head, is home to both a lighthouse and no less than two forts, built on an ancient Iron Age site to defend Torbay against possible attacks from the sea.

A very special Grade II-listed landmark situated next to the Torbay village of Galmpton, the Greenway Estate is a beautiful 16th-century Tudor mansion. Most famous for being the home of local legendary Crime Queen, Dame Agatha Christie purchased the Greenway Estate in 1938 with her second-husband, Max Mallowman, as it was reminiscent of her childhood home.

Paignton Pier

Address: Paignton Sands, Paignton, Torbay, Devon, TQ4 6BW, England, UK
Tel: +44 01803 522139
A traditional seaside feature and much-loved by the Torbay locals, Paignton Pier stretches for just under 245 metres / 800 feet and was opened in the summer of 1879. Badly damaged by fire in 1919 and then partially dismantled in 1940, to prevent possible German invasion, the future of Paignton Pier looked uncertain. In 1980, new investment ensured that this pleasure pier was once again Paignton's pride and joy, with the addition of a series of connecting pavilions to house extensive seaside amusements, including video games and ten-pin bowling. At the end of the pier are further amusements, such as trampolines, an inflatable 'Mega Slide', a carousel roundabout and dodgems.
Open hours: daily, May to September - 09:00 to 23:00; October to April - 10:00 to 17:00
Admission: free

Compton Castle

Address: Marldon, Paignton, Torbay, Devon, TQ3 1TA, England, UK
Tel: +44 01803 661906
A fortified and very historic manor house residing within the village of Compton, on the westerly outskirts of Torquay, Compton Castle dates back as far as the middle of the 14th century and has led a rather chequered history. The front facade was added at the beginning of the 16th century and immediately made the house look more than a fortress than a stately home, with towers and battlements being incorporated. By the turn of the 18th century, the medieval centre of the property was in a terrible state of repair, beginning to collapse. However, in the mid-20th century, faithful renovation work by the new owners, the National Trust, ensured that Compton Castle was restored to its original appearance. A particularly interesting fact is that it is believed that the first pipe of tobacco ever smoked in the United Kingdom was smoked here, by none other that the visiting Sir Walter Raleigh, a half-brother of the owner, Sir Humphrey Gilbert. Also of note, it was here that much of the filming of Emma Thompson's Oscar-winning film, Sense and Sensibility, took place in 1995.
Open hours: late March to October, Monday, Wednesday and Thursday - 11:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge, discounts for children and groups, members of the National Trust are free

Torre Abbey

Address: The King's Drive, Torquay, Torbay, Devon, TQ2 5JE, England, UK
Tel: +44 01803 293593
Made up of two Grade I-listed landmarks, Torre Abbey is to be found in Torquay and was established at the very end of the 12th century as a monastery. In 1539, the monks were ordered to surrender to King Henry VIII, following his 'Dissolution of the Monasteries'. At this stage, much of Torre Abbey was sadly demolished, although the southern and western side cloisters remained intact. From 1662 until 1930, Torre Abbey was the property of the Cary family, after which it was sold to Torquay Borough Council. Since then, it has been used as a residence for the local mayor, as a municipal art gallery, and during the Second World War, the abbey was commandeered by the RAF (Royal Air Force). Nowadays, various religious events take place here, including christenings.
Open hours: daily, March to October - 10:00 to 18:00; November to February - 10:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge, discounts for children, families (two adults and three children), students and seniors, children five years old and under are free

Greenway Estate

Address: Greenway Road, Galmpton, Near Brixham, Torbay, Devon, TQ5 0ES, England, UK
Tel: +44 01803 842382
The Greenway Estate was Agatha Christie's home for some 38 years, until she died in 1976, followed by her husband just two years later. Her daughter, Rosalind Hicks, continued living here until 1999, when the National Trust acquired ownership of the house and estate, opening it to the public in 2002 and restoring it in 2008. Much Agatha Christie memorabilia is displayed around the house, while the subtropical riverside gardens and traditional greenhouse are also of interest and further enhance this picture-postcard setting. Onsite there is an excellent cafe and the Barn Gallery, where local artists regularly exhibit their works. Visitors should note that if you are driving, you must phone ahead first to book a parking space for an allotted time, otherwise you will not be able to park onsite (or even nearby) and will therefore be turned away.
Open hours: late February to mid-July, September and October, Wednesday to Saturday - 10:30 to 17:00; mid-July to August, Tuesday to Sunday - 10:30 to 17:00
Admission: charge, discounts for children, families and groups, members of the National Trust are free

Cockington Court and Country Park

Address: Cockington, Torquay, Torbay, Devon, TQ2 6XA, England, UK
Tel: +44 01803 606035
The village of Cockington is located within the Torquay area and Cockington Country Park is just 1.5 km / 1 mile from the actual seafront. This local landmark comprises a choice of individual attractions, which include thatched Almhouse cottages, woodland trails, a working waterwheel and an old manor house, now functioning as a handicrafts centre. Each summer in June, the huge concert extravangaza 'Last Night of the Proms' is staged at Cockington Court, culminating in a spectacular fireworks display.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Kents Cavern

Address: Cavern House, 89 / 91 Ilsham Road, Torquay, Torbay, Devon, TQ1 2JF, England, UK
Tel: +44 01803 215136
The award-winning prehistoric caves known as Kents Cavern were first used to provide shelter for early man more than 700,000 years ago and now ranks as a protected national monument. This subterranean Stone-Age wonderland was first explored in the 1820s, and then more thoroughly in the 1860s, when the remains of humans and extinct animals were discovered. The caves are now illuminated to dramatic effect and over the years have been visited by a host of celebrities, such as local Torquay author Agatha Christie, as well as Beatrix Potter and even King George V, who is said to have generously tipped his guide with a gold sovereign. Kents Cavern attracts roughly 80,000 tourists annually and in the past was awarded 'Torquay's Visitor Attraction of the Year'.
Open hours: daily, April to June, September and October - 09:00 to 17:00; July and August - 09:00 to 17:30; November to March - 11:00 to 16:30
Admission: charge, discounts for children, students, families (two adults and three children) and seniors

Oldway Mansion

Address: Torquay Road, Paignton, Torbay, Devon, TQ3 2TE, England, UK
Tel: +44 01803 207933
A grand stately home with landscaped gardens, the Oldway Mansion was built in the 1870s for American entrepreneur and founder of the Singer Sewing Machine Company, Isaac Meritt Singer. However, sadly Singer died in 1875, just before the mansion was actually completed. Between 1904 and 1907, one of his sons oversaw some ambitious alterations to Oldway Mansion, which were inspired by the opulence of the Palace of Versailles in Paris, including its own version of the famous Hall of Mirrors. The interior is especially grand and features an impressive marble staircase and splendid ceiling paintings. Outside, the grounds are spread over 7 hectares / 17 acres and include formal box hedging, topiary, stone urns and much balustrading. In the First World War, the mansion was used as a hospital for the American Women's War Relief association, and was later purchased in 1946 by Paignton Urban District Council at a reduced price, with the condition that it would be preserved and opened to the public. Today, the magnificent Devon landmark is used to house local council offices, as well as civil wedding ceremonies. Oldway Mansion recently doubled as London's Buckingham Palace, appearing in the 2004 movie 'Churchill: The Hollywood Years' starring Christian Slater.
Open hours: Monday to Thursday - 08:30 to 17:30, Friday - 09:30 to 16:15
Admission: free

Kirkham House (Priest's House)

Address: Kirkham Street, Off Cecil Road, Paignton, Torbay, Devon, England, UK
Owned by the English Heritage, this important medieval stone house is to be found in Paignton and is believed to date back to the 14th century. Soon after its completion, Kirkham House was divided into three separate cottages and was restored and renovated during the sixties. The ground floor has a dining room and spacious hall, which comes with a vaulted ceiling and wooden panelling. Outside is a small garden and the remains of the kitchen outbuilding. Particular highlights include oak beams, wooden carvings, period furnishings and medieval-style tapestries. Guided tours are available on the open days at 14:15.
Open hours: selected days in April and May, July and August, Sunday - 14:00 to 17:00
Admission: free