Torre Abbey in Torbay

Lovely place to walk and visit in the winter sunshine.

Just spent a lovely afternoon exploring both the house and the gardens. Staff super friendly and helpful.

A step back into early history!! A great self guided tour and a charming cafe!

Interesting building, stayed for about an hour, some video presentations, and lots of reading. Not really suitable for kids, they would find it boring.

Actually quite a bit more to this museum than I thought. The exhibits covered the wide history of the Abbey, long after it became home. They had a fair modern displays as well. The gardens are a bonus to see.

Lovely place have been to Torquay many times,never been to the abbey. Really enjoyed it the history of the abbey and the family how they struggled to keep the abbey going

Absolutely loved it here. Lots of great exhibits and tons of history. I would definitely recommend the tour instead of walking around yourself.

The museum has interesting interactive information about the abbey's history. Within the outdoor grounds are remnants of the old Abbey. Some garden areas with a variety of plants & shrubs. Also large glasshouse with tropical trees & other plants. A good way to spend a couple of hours.

+ It was great learning more about the history of the Abbey. A lot of work has already been done and more is underway in restoring it. We loved the amount of interaction in the various exhibitions. The garden is of a reasonable size and offers lots of different plants with more coming in the near future? If you're interested in history, you should definitely visit the abbey.

The museum was packed with interesting artefacts, but we felt that there was too much - crammed into some small spaces. It was difficult, if not impossible, to read some of the descriltion cards because the print was too small. There were no attendants on duty, except for the man at the entrance. The garden and ruins were beautiful and fascinating. Well worth a visit, subject to the caveats mentioned.

Peaceful beautiful place to explore.

Not the worst use of a few hours. Enjoyed

A lot more to see than I imagined. Certainly good value for adults anyway.

Tried to book tickets for the Shakespeare in the garden. Utterly confusing website. Gave up!

We went to see Peter Pan, an imersive Children's Show with our Grand Children. The actors got right down in their gestures and speech to the under 10's level of humour. The Show was in the stunning garden at Torre Abbey, an array of smells and colour and texture. A happy bee place. I can recommend visiting the museum on a very hot day to cool off, it is like walking into an air conditioned historic passage back to this country's heritage. Very informative and interesting. They have different themes on throughout the year, this is a real gem in Torquay.

We recently celebrated our marriage in the glasshouse at Torre Abbey. The team led by Philip Dixon are wonderful; warm, helpful and well organised. The glasshouse is beautiful if you want an intimate setting. We had 25 guests and they all commented on how lovely it was to be so close and involved in the ceremony. The garden is beautiful and an ideal place for fizz and lots of photographs afterwards. Can't recommend this venue and the team highly enough.

Beautiful and interesting museum that shares the history of the abbey as well as displaying a lot of pretty art ! Also had a good special exhibition on Vikings. We really enjoyed the well kept gardens and greenhouse.

Very poor value for money nothing really left of the actual abbey and certainly not worth £11 admission fee. Wish we had spent the money on the ferry instead.

Interesting place to visit, but you only need two hours including looking round gardens. Gardens are well kept and have plenty of seating to stop and enjoy the scenery. The museum is well presented with lots of interactive information. pleasant staff and small gift shop. You can get food and drink here.

Had tea and coffee and lunch from the kiosk outside, very nice.

It's just finishing being renovated but was still accessible. Agatha Christie poison garden is interesting.the plants in the gardens are awesome. Check out the greenhouses, too. Plants are for sale at a competitive price. The top floor of the museum is informative and interactive. Good to explore at your own pace. Pop up cafe outside is recommended too 😉

Great museum 3 floors, has a very good lift or use the nice stairs. Very nice staff very helpful. Very nice gardens with 🌴 palm house. Great place for a visit.

Great place to visit, and they have greenhouses in the grounds with some fascinating plants that you can purchase on your way out.

Torre Abbey under going a face lift at the moment but most things are still open.

One of my favourite places to visit, the house is fascinating, with lots of different exhibits (including some for children) and the garden and glass house are brilliant.

What a lovely building just went to a fantastic wedding there will look look great when other buildings are finished 10/10 for wedding venue.

Just round the corner from my hotel - great for an hour or two in the middle of the day when you need a break - Food van outside do lovely food and drink service (Abbey Refreshments close-by is also good for a quick snack). Being externally renovated at the moment, so there is scaffolding over part of the building - but it looks like it will be worth it in the long-run, to secure the future of the property.

Historically significant stone chapel and barn, which housed Napoleon, for a time, under house arrest, after Waterloo.

I really interesting and beautiful place to while away a few hours

Lovely building, nice museum with some quirky tech, gardens are really nice too

It was a little pricey to get in at £11. But we understand that goes towards the upkeep so we can go with it. The coffee shop was closed during our visit at around noon, which was a shame, but overall was a nice wee walk about, with some history thrown in for good measure. Kat was especially friendly and helpful.

Torquey is hilly, let me start with that! Torre Abbey is rather picturesque, despite the restoration scaffolding on part of the building (April 2024). The Abbey has a lot of history and some lovely paintings. They also wheelchair lifts built into the Abbey so definitely accessible to all. The greenhouses are beautiful with some really pretty plants, succulents and cactus.

Was a lovely visit, gardens very nice too,no cafe open at moment,but sports center across the road,has a cafe.😊

Love this place. Interesting history, friendly and helpful staff.

Lovely gardens and excellent museum/ exhibition section.

Worth a visit. Lots of history. Plants in the gardens could do with some labels to identify them.

Very interesting well worth a visit

What a beautiful building with so much history behind it.

What a surprise. Garden and greenhouse were great and this was in Feb. A must see in summer months. The best for me was the house and the story of the cary family and its sad demise

Wonderful experience. I visited in the winter and it was beautiful then. I expect that it would be spectacular in the spring and summer.

We recently had our wedding ceremony at the Palm House in Torre Abbey. On our first visit we knew it was the perfect location for our small ceremony. The staff were great and made the ceremony run smoothly. A special thank you to Phil, who was so helpful throughout the planning process and also on the day. The Palm House is a beautiful venue and we are so pleased to have been able to get married there.

One of my favourite places in Torquay, beautiful place and fabulous gardens especially the Dahlias. Although in the winter you can get some excellent shots of migratory birds around and inside the gardens.

Lovely time at Torre Abbey Christmas Market today. Loved exploring the beautiful house and abbey gardens…the plants in the greenhouses were our highlight. Really helpful staff in well looked after surroundings.

We found the cafe very disappointing, mediocre quality and it seemed only microwaved or grilled teacakes were served 'warm'. All in all a very limited offering. All served in paper cups/plates and the barn was freezing because 2 sets of doors were open.

Went on the Halloween trail yesterday. The lights and decorations were amazing, a very enjoyable experience. Only wish it lasted longer.

Second visit to the Abbey was a haloween event . Staff friendly and the trail was good I would say for under 12 not scary but good lighting and family friendly probably took and hour max so take your time on the walk round worth it for the kids

Torre Barn for tea break and Geo Park illustrated maps and fossills.

It was a lovely place to visit. Good interaction as going around. Friendly staff.

Good place visit. Interesting history

Local history dating back to 12th Century

Not to bad a place to visit. Good for disabled visitors too. Very informative.

Loads to see - art, artefacts, exhibitions etc etc. This wonderful building has been blessed with superbly designed lifts and ramps which allow access for all. It's a building to get lost in - vast and fascinating. The gardens are a delight and include a tropical hot-house. The cafe is in the barn.

Currently covered in scaffolding with lots of work going on. A small mention of this on the website

A lot to look around ...very interesting. although works going on and cafe closed due to staff sickness.

So much to see, indoors, & outside. Nice gardens, Abby ruins, & then indoors, for lots of local history, interactive displays, art, & lots more.

A very interesting and historical building with great exhibitions and works of art on display. However, the gardens and palm house are the real gems, especially on a lovely sunny day.

Very dusty and tickets were expensive

Nice Place you can have breakfast inside, scones very good

Lovely grounds and interesting displays inside.

Thought it was expensive to go in - ruins and inside area - cafe in barn in the grounds

Went to see an evening outside performance of Romeo and Juliette and Macbeth by the 440 company. The surroundings were perfect. The organisation excellent. And the Shakespeare just as billed, we all laughed . A lot!! Really looking forward to seeing more of 440. I hope Torre Abbey can do more of these outside experiences because those I have been to run like clockwork. Looking forward to the 24th and Twelth Night. Nothing like a bit of culture on a Thursday evening 🙂👏

The moment my (now!) husband and I set foot on the grounds of Torre Abbey, we knew we had discovered a hidden gem that would make our special day absolutely unforgettable. From the picturesque beauty of the surroundings to the charming barn that exudes rustic elegance, every aspect of this venue contributed to the wedding of our dreams. The grounds themselves are a nature lover's paradise, boasting lush gardens, rustic architecture, and exotic plants that created an atmosphere of serene romance. We were awe-struck by the meticulously landscaped gardens that offered a plethora of breathtaking backdrops for our photos, making it almost impossible to choose just one. Whether it was the vibrant colors of the flowers or the graceful archway entwined with ivy, every corner seemed to hold its own unique allure. But the true heart-stealer was the spanish barn. Stepping inside felt like stepping into a fairytale. The blend of rustic charm and contemporary sophistication was seamless. The exposed wooden beams, high ceilings adorned with delicate fairy lights, and the spacious layout gave our wedding a touch of old-world enchantment. It provided the perfect canvas for us to personalize the space, and it effortlessly accommodated our guests while still maintaining an intimate ambiance. What truly sets this venue apart is its attention to detail. The staff's (Phil, you are amazing) dedication to ensuring every element of our day was perfect was beyond compare. From the pre-wedding preparations to the reception, their professionalism and warm hospitality put us at ease. They were with us every step of the way, accommodating our requests with a smile and going above and beyond to make our vision come to life. In conclusion, if you're searching for a wedding venue that effortlessly combines natural beauty, rustic charm, and impeccable service, this is the place. Our wedding day was a fairy tale come true, thanks to the stunning grounds, the captivating barn, and the dedicated team behind it all. We wholeheartedly recommend this venue to couples looking to create an unforgettable and truly magical wedding experience.

Super historical venue. Well laid out, great gardens. Check the website as often they have additional events on around the ground.

Torre Abbey is very interesting place, catering for adults and children, absolutely full of history. It's all explained and simple to understand, so you don't feel you are over loaded with information and you are left to explore at your own leisure, well worth a visit. I must mention the grounds are beautiful, well stocked with flowers/plants, very colourful, ( being different, depending on Season of visit). There is also a wonderful greenhouse, full of eczotic plants from around world, also a few surprise snakes!!, made me jump until I realised they were furry stuffed ones!!. It is very relaxing sitting outside in the garden weather permitting.

Loved the interaction for kids. Made the history interesting. The dining room plates were so funny, never seen plates talk before.

What a beautiful place. It did not dissapoint. The cafe here was also very good. The staff were lovely at the cafe. Beautiful Spanish Barn to sit and drink coffee in.

I went to torre Abbey today. The Abbey was very nice and interesting

Beautiful Abbey with plenty of history. You can either see the Abbey from the outside or go in which does have a fee. Cafe nearby. Definitely a place to check out

The complete frontage was covered in scaffolding. Why are you doing this in the peak holiday season and not out of season. ?

Tolle Location. Deeply impressed

Dogs not welcome which is disappointing

Really enjoyed this place, some very interesting things to see.

What an interesting place of history. Quite impressed.

Lovely grounds to walk all year round

It's wonderful and a little bit crazy. You shouldn't miss it.

Beautiful !! Seeped in history well worth a visit

It's definitely worth a visit here. So much history and staff are so knowledgeable and helpful. There are lots to see, and gardens are stunning. Reasonable entry price for the amount of history and artefacts you encounter.

We were married in the Medieval Undercroft at Torre Abbey in early June 2023. It was the most beautiful venue filled with a serene sense of peace. We easily fitted just over 60 guests in the Undercroft. We provided all the decorations, mainly seat covers and subtle lighting. Phil Dixon was our main contact for the wedding, and We cannot say how grateful we are to him and his team. For 15 months Phil was involved with our planning and always replied quickly and helped us shape our perfect day. Phil always went above and beyond to make us feel special. The gardens at the Abbey are beautiful and the wedding photos will always be a wonderful memory of our special day.

Great place if you like history

A lot of history to the Abbey. Monke used to live there once over. It still has some ruins in the gardens of where it had been bombed back in the day. They have different activities going on through out the year. They have parking, wheelchair parking. Toilets and a cafe to get refreshments.

Fascinating visit to the house and gardens

A pleasant enough place to visit, but I could have done with the lifts working. My partner loved it, especially the gardens. The cream tea was lovely

Only went to the cafe for lunch today although have visited the Abbey in the past. Huge jacket potato.

Very, very interesting but a bit expensive. Spend the day to get your money's worth if you find history fascinating; if some of your party get bored looking at old stuff and get fed you might feel...

Full of fascinating history,presented in an entertaining way! The Paddington Exhibition was fully enjoyed, as was the garden with lots many special delights!! The "poison" section was especially fascinating!! Very friendly and knowledgeable staff add to the delight that is Torre Abbey..highly recommended 🤗

Nice place to wannder around. Informative displays.

Hugely important archive of local history, art, and culture that encapsulates the spirit of a past Torbay. Exhibits are tangible and regularly rotated. The Abbey is a timeless joy in itself. The gardens are of a high standard of cultivation and have been developed into a real jewel too, with botanical collections married with a sense of good design and individually themed spaces. The helpful staff, linked to the educational merit of the site, make Torre Abbey a wonderful experience for schools, locals and visitors alike.

Great little treasure. Interesting exhibitions and interactive stuff in side and beautiful gardens. Nice place to sit and read or relax too

A very interesting and informative visit that caters to adults and children alike. Covers the history the conception of the abbey to its sale in the twentieth century before becoming a museum.

A wonderful place to visit. The Burne-Jones gallery was the highlight of my visit. However, I thoroughly enjoyed viewing all the exhibits and the gardens were a delight on a mild, sunny day in February! Cafe is well worth a visit too.

Superb....garden is great and inside even better! The interactive 3d experience (not sure crrect description) was simply stuffing

Interessante Ausstellung, schöner Garten, nettes Personal.

Our visit was intended just to while away some time on a cold wet day but it turned out to be really interesting and enjoyable and we stayed much longer than expected. A beautifully layed out building over 4 floors with a mix of art gallery and local history. Some if it was presented in a clever way to really grab your attention too. Excellent access to all levels for the disabled and a welcoming café on the ground floor. Well worth a visit.

We enjoyed 4 hours here, which I felt made the £9.50 entrance price fair value. There is so much to see here, much of it new to me, and we saved some of the art for another time. The interactive and filmed actor exhibits are very well done. Letters signed by Nelson and Napoleon Bonaparte, film of early flying machines, mediaeval and religious history, art of various styles... the range of exhibits is wide. A few paintings and the like are poorly lit and/or unlabelled, or the text is insufficiently contrasted to be read in the light, which detracts a little from the experience, but overall excellent, with cafe and gardens to enjoy as well..

Very interesting tour and after a lovely cup of coffee we enjoyed a visit to the Spaniards barn for a sensinthe unseen of the Adoration of the Kings by Jan Gossaert which was quite an experience and fully recommend

Can't believe we haven't visited before !! So much history & information to absorb in one visit. Thoroughly enjoyed all the many exhibits, especially the interactive ones, the dining table was my favourite (not saying anymore go see it for yourself). With so much to see on so many floors ( accessible to all) it's easy to not see the 'building' itself. The grounds surrounding the Abbey are also steeped with history & interest, don't miss the Agatha Christie poison garden & maybe look up or even read her most famous stories/books/films ... I wish I'd refreshed my memory before our visit. Staff on site were really helpful & friendly too. Would whole heartedly recommend.

Fantastic Place to Visit. Full of History and lots of things to Do and See. 🏚️💐🌹. My Wife and I had a Lovely Time.👍👍😁😁

We had a lovely visit. The cafe serves amazing pasties and cream teas. The Abbey is a beautiful place to visit and be submerged in torquay history

Musee le plus interressant de Torquay. Composee d un jardin (avec une serre) et d un musee a l interieur, On peut donc meme y aller quand il pleut (mais je conseille d aller lors d un jour ensoleiller). Le musee a un etage pour les activites pour enfants, un pour l art et un pour l histoir de torre abbay. Tres recommande

Visited a lovely art exhibition here in October.