There are lots of reasons to visit Torquay (great beach, great food) but we also have an array of stunning buildings and architecture that are certainly worth your time. This article outlines five of our favourites from at The Hotel Balmoral however we would love to hear about your favourite buildings in the comments.
Torquay Museum
The Venetian-Gothic style building dates back to 1874 and was designed by the architect William Harvey Jnr with two of the impressive upper window panels on the first floor designed by John Philip (his previous design being the Albert Memorial in London).
It was the Torquay Natural History Society who first founded the museum to house their collections which still form a part of the museum’s displays.
The buildings exterior is certainly impressive with Terracotta gargoyle statues and glass roof it’s worth a visit. The Museum is also home to various arts and historic collections.
Torre Abbey
The grade I listed Medieval Monastery is the largest surviving Monastery in Devon and Cornwall. Torre Abbey was founded in 1196 as a monastery for the Premonstratensian order and remained an Abbey for three and a half centuries. Later becoming home to several families including the Cary Family from 1662 and staying in the family for 268 year’s. Today the Abbey houses an Art Gallery and is open to the public to view.
Cockington Village and Forge
Cockington is an idyllic Village with winding country lanes and picturesque thatched cottages surrounded by 450 acres of parkland. At the heart of the Village is Cockington Forge, once a blacksmiths workshop dating back to the 14th century, it’s now a gift shop open to the visiting public. The Village also has a Gamekeepers Cottage dating back to the 16th Century, Old Mill and The Drum pub.
Town Hall’s
The Boroughs original Town Hall opened it’s doors on the 10th June 1852 when the town was in the process of becoming a Borough. The Building itself is not all that impressive but served its purpose until eventually becoming too small for the growing town. Although currently unoccupied the original building still stands.
The new Town Hall was completed in 1913 after a competition for a new design was won by a Thomas Davison.
Castle Tor
Despite it’s name Castle Tor is not really a castle as you might be led to believe. The ‘castle’ only dates back to the 1920’s.
Horace Pickersgill who owned a large plot of land on the Oxlea Hill wanted to build a house and ornamental gardens overlooking the sea and so commissioned Frederick Harrild to design and build it. The house was built to replicate a castle complete with gatehouse and portcullis. The property is listed as an English Heritage site.
Great building’s
Really this is just the tip of the iceberg and there are many great and historical buildings in Torquay to enjoy whilst you are staying at Torquay’s best hotel – The Hotel Balmoral.
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