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Summary

Livermead harbour, torquay. A small harbour was constructed on the east side of livermead head. There is no known evidence of its date, nor of the ships that used it. It was, perhaps, built towards the end of the 11th or the beginning of the 12th century by one of the norman lords of cockington, maybe william de falaise, anxious to keep open a passage to his possessions in normandy and to have a landing place for wine and other french products. It is mentioned by john leland in the time of henry viii, and is shown on a sketch drawn for sir john stowell of bovey tracey about 1660 when he had just acquired torre abbey. It is shown as leuermead quay, and near it is a small group of cottages. The harbour was formed by building out from either end of the headland, in an easterly direction, a bowed pier or breakwater which enclosed the basin, the entrance to which was between the seaward ends of these piers. Each pier consisted of two parallel walls about 2m apart, the intervening space being filled with rubble. The remains of this harbour, consisting of the lower courses of the two breakwaters, are still visible at low tide. The basin, due to the pounding of the sea, is almost hidden under the fallen upper courses. Protective work was undertaken in the 1930's. The northern pier, due to erosion, appears detached from the mainland. At one time a small fishing community of twelve cottages and nine fish stores or cellars stood between the present torbay road and the sea, perhaps the ones shown on sir john stowell's sketch. A 19th century engraving shows the last two cottages standing perilously above the beach. All trace of them has now disappeared. The harbour was still in use during the second half of the 19th century. Goods for cockington court were unloaded at the foot of a pathway running down the eastern side of livermead head. The pathway may be seen on the western side of the livermead cliff hotel, now paved with steps and safety railings. The goods were carried up the narrow cliff path across what is now the torbay road and up the meadow to gooder's farm in wheatridge lane. Vis=14/9/1952(os) no further information.

Location

Protected Status: none recorded

Other References/Statuses

• Old DCC SMR Ref: SX96SW/14

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• HARBOUR (XI to Late Medieval - 1001 AD to 1539 AD (Between))

Full description

Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division, Untitled Source (Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Card). SDV24.

Livermead harbour, torquay. A small harbour was constructed on the east side of livermead head. There is no known evidence of its date, nor of the ships that used it. It was, perhaps, built towards the end of the 11th or the beginning of the 12th century by one of the norman lords of cockington, maybe william de falaise, anxious to keep open a passage to his possessions in normandy and to have a landing place for wine and other french products. It is mentioned by john leland in the time of henry viii, and is shown on a sketch drawn for sir john stowell of bovey tracey about 1660 when he had just acquired torre abbey. It is shown as leuermead quay, and near it is a small group of cottages. The harbour was formed by building out from either end of the headland, in an easterly direction, a bowed pier or breakwater which enclosed the basin, the entrance to which was between the seaward ends of these piers. Each pier consisted of two parallel walls about 2m apart, the intervening space being filled with rubble. The remains of this harbour, consisting of the lower courses of the two breakwaters, are still visible at low tide. The basin, due to the pounding of the sea, is almost hidden under the fallen upper courses. Protective work was undertaken in the 1930's. The northern pier, due to erosion, appears detached from the mainland. At one time a small fishing community of twelve cottages and nine fish stores or cellars stood between the present torbay road and the sea, perhaps the ones shown on sir john stowell's sketch. A 19th century engraving shows the last two cottages standing perilously above the beach. All trace of them has now disappeared. The harbour was still in use during the second half of the 19th century. Goods for cockington court were unloaded at the foot of a pathway running down the eastern side of livermead head. The pathway may be seen on the western side of the livermead cliff hotel, now paved with steps and safety railings. The goods were carried up the narrow cliff path across what is now the torbay road and up the meadow to gooder's farm in wheatridge lane. Vis=14/9/1952(os) no further information.

Untitled Source (Migrated Record). SDV316779.

Walker, h. H. /tda/99(1967)287-288, pl.1/livermead harbour, torquay.

Untitled Source (Migrated Record). SDV316780.

Ellis, a. C. /an historical survey of torquay/(1930)66,72-73.

Untitled Source (Migrated Record). SDV316781.

Osa=sx96sw17/photograph, plan, sketch.

Untitled Source (Migrated Record). SDV316782.

Minchinton, w. /industrial archaeology in devon/(1973)12.

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events: none recorded

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