Continuing our day trip to Torquay we walked round the bay and up to Torre Abbey.
Torre Abbey is a historic building and art gallery in Torquay, Devon. It was founded in 1196 as a monastery for Premonstratensian canons, and is now the best-preserved medieval monastery in Devon and Cornwall. In addition to its medieval and Georgian rooms, Torre Abbey is known for the formal gardens, for the third largest art collection in the county of Devon and for regular exhibitions by contemporary artists.
It was on 4 floors, the top floor giving us the history over 800 years.
In the gardens outside is a Palm House, smaller than those at Kew Gardens but just as interesting with a wide range of plants.
And a lily pond.
Next to that was the “Arid House” containing cacti and succulents.
Leaving Torre Abbey we walked to the Front and caught the 22 bus to Babbacombe to visit the museum called “Bygones”. It was a step into the past and like taking a trip down memory lane as we explored the displays of genuine objects from 1837 to the 1950s.
On the ground floor there were displays like Victorian shops.
On the first floor was more of Victorian life with period set rooms,
and even a full size 27 ton steam engine.
The 2nd floor housed wartime display and a walk through an immersive trench. In the shopping arcade were shelves hosting many different products in their original 50s packaging.
Two more interesting places to visit for all the family.
We caught the 22 bus back to the harbour and had a pot of tea whilst waiting for our coach. A great day out was thoroughly enjoyed by us.
