Torre Abbey

Although much altered over the centuries, Torre Abbey was once the wealthiest Premonstratensian monastery in England. Founded in 1196 by William de Brewer as a daughter house of Welbeck Abbey in Nottinghamshire, this Devonshire abbey was unusual inasmuch as it was situated next to the sea. Its vulnerable position was not lost on Edward III, who gave the abbey permission to crenellate (fortify its walls) in 1348.

The foundation was established with six canons and an abbott but at the height of power, during the mid-14th century, the religious population had grown to 25 canons and an abbott. Following the standard monastic plan, Torre Abbey comprised a cruciform church to the north of the site with the south wall of the church becoming the north wing of a quadrangular cloister enclosure. Perhaps this is no longer immediately obvious, but the layout can still be clearly interpreted today. When the monastery fell victim to the Acts of Suppression, resulting in its surrender to the King's commissioner in 1539, everything of value was seized. Lead from the church roof was stripped and sold, and the building was systematically demolished.

When the site passed out of Crown hands in 1543, it had already become severely dilapidated through use as a convenient quarry by local townsfolk and villagers, but the medieval cloister ranges to the west and south remained largely intact. It was these two ranges that were converted to a dwelling house for Thomas Ridgeway in 1598. The medieval abbey estates subsequently passed through many hands before coming into the possession of the Cary family in 1662, but they retained ownership for almost three centuries.

Extensive alterations were carried out at the house c1740, when George Cary II (grandson of the first Cary owner) inherited the property, and it is largely this Georgian remodelling that the modern visitor sees today. Within the surviving south cloister range, the old monastic refectory had an additional storey constructed above, and was completed with a replacement low-pitched roof. Following the fashions of the day, new windows and doors were also inserted to give Torre Abbey a classic Georgian appearance. Much of the interior underwent radical changes during this period of rebuilding, and a fine example of the type of work carried out can be admired in the great oak staircase.

Throughout the 19th century further alterations continued to be made, but the family's financial position soon left them no alternative but to lease their beautiful house. At the turn of the 20th century the Anning family were installed as tenants. However, in 1930 Commander Henry Cary was forced to sell Torre Abbey, and Torquay Borough Council became the new owners. From that time the main house became the official residence of the Mayor, as well as a municipal art gallery.

Many of the old abbey buildings can be discovered within the grounds of the main house, including a surviving gatehouse at the south-west corner of the converted cloister ranges. There is also a lovely example of a medieval Tithe Barn, located south of the gatehouse looking towards the sweep of Torbay. To the rear of the Georgian house, the remains of the monks' cloister and the ruined façade of the east cloister range can be found. An ornate trio of Norman arches have survived from the entrance to the abbey's Chapter House, and the brick wall above contains a Dovecot dating from c1700. The central tower of the monastic church was blown up in the 18th century, and the remains lie where they fell. Along the west range is arguably one of the most impressive examples of a medieval undercroft in England. This vaulted chamber, which retains its original clay floor, probably housed the abbey's wine and provisions.

NB As a result of major funding from the Heritage Lottery, Torre Abbey will be closed until 2008 whilst undergoing substantial refurbishment.