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Summary

Torre Abbey was founded in 1196 by William Brewer and colonised by canons of the Premonstratensian order from the mother house of Welbeck in Nottinghamshire. It was dissolved in 1539 and after passing through several ownerships, came to the Cary family in 1662. They converted the buildings into the present mansion in the 18th century. The site was purchased by Torbay Borough Council in 1930. The standing buildings are used as an art gallery and museum and the ruins conserved for public display. A site of national importance.

Summary from record MDV105075:
The taller walls of the abbey ruins are visible on all available aerial photographs of this area, but the low walls that remain of the nave of the church become visible only after excavation in the late 1980s. The excavations can be seen in progress on aerial photographs taken in 1988

Location

Protected Status

• Scheduled Monument 1009302: Torre Abbey
• Scheduled Monument 1009302: Torre Abbey
• Listed Building (I) 1206852: TORRE ABBEY
• Listed Building (II) 1206853: GRANITE CROSS SHAFT WEST OF TORRE ABBEY
• Listed Building (II) 1207700: THE COTTAGE, TORRE ABBEY
• Listed Building (II) 1207725: THE LODGE, TORRE ABBEY, AND ATTACHED GARDEN WALLS AND RAILINGS
• Listed Building (II) 1280011: GATE PIERS AND GATES TO TORRE ABBEY
• Listed Building (II) 1207700: THE COTTAGE, TORRE ABBEY
• Listed Building (II) 1207725: THE LODGE, TORRE ABBEY, AND ATTACHED GARDEN WALLS AND RAILINGS
• Listed Building (II) 1206853: GRANITE CROSS SHAFT WEST OF TORRE ABBEY
• Listed Building (II) 1280011: GATE PIERS AND GATES TO TORRE ABBEY
• Listed Building (I) 1280012: The Spanish Barn, Torre Abbey

Other References/Statuses

• National Monuments Record: 1318359
• Old DCC SMR Ref: SX96SW/1
• Old SAM County Ref: 171
• Old SAM Ref: 24840
• Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division: SX96SW10
• Torbay HER: MTO9675

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• PREMONSTRATENSIAN MONASTERY (XII - 1196 AD to 1196 AD)
• PREMONSTRATENSIAN MONASTERY (XII to Late Medieval - 1196 AD to 1539 AD)

Full description

National Monuments Record, NMR SX9063 (Aerial Photograph). SDV316216.

Torbay HER record (SMR record). SDV361984.

History and description compiled by H. Bishop from various sources.
History
The abbey was founded in 1196 by William Brewer, on land granted from his Manor of Torre to the Premonstratensian order. It amounted to a roughly rectangular area of some 800m by 300m enclosing approximately 24 hectares, with the abbey sited in the south-west quadrant. The land forming the precinct was traditionally enclosed behind a wall, and contained, in addition to the nucleus of the church and cloister, all the buildings and structures, both agricultural and industrial, associated with the degree of self sufficiency that the abbey was capable of sustaining. Many of these structures would have been of timber or cob construction. The engraving of 1661 shows some stone structures not now existing, including a further gatehouse to the west of the abbey. In the mid 16th century the antiquarian Leland reported that the remains of three gatehouses were visible at Torre. When the ornamental gates of the mansion, near abbey lodge, were moved a short distance to the south in 1972, the foundations of a substantial building were located which appear to be those of an outer gatehouse.
It was colonised by canons from the English mother house of Welbeck in Nottinghamshire, and dedicated to St saviour and the Holy Trinity. By the end of the 13th centry the abbey had been granted land throughout Devon, and it benefited from the growth of Newton Abbot following the establishment of a weekly market. At this time there were 26 canons in residence, and the acquired wealth of the abbey made it the richest Premonstratensian abbey in the country. A licence to crenellate was granted by Edward III in 1348. in 1370 the Manor of Torre came in to the ownership of the abbey. In 1539 there was an abbot and 15 canons in residence.
Following the dissolution the church was progressively demolished. A condition of the subsequent sale of the buildings was that they were to be rendered unfit for monastic use, and this was assisted by the crown's sequestration of all the roofing lead. In 1543 the abbey was granted by the crown to John St Leger, and after twice changing ownership was purchased by Thomas Ridgeway, who remodelled the west range as a dwelling. In 1662 it was purchased by Sir George Cary, in whose family it remained for several centuries. They converted the buildings into the present mansion during the 18th century. Not much remains of the buildings: there are fragmentary remains of the church and domestic buildings, also the entrance of the cloister garth, and a rounded archway, richly moulded with two small windows. The gateway is in a good state of preservation, and is a very good example of that type of building. The tithe barn on the south of the abbey is a fine example. In 1930 the house and its grounds were purchased by Torbay Borough Council.
Description
The main architectural features are noted in Pevsner's Devon, and detailed in List description. The abbey was of a traditional plan with claustral buildings on the south side of the church - the cloister is a square with sides of 28m - with ancillary buildings further from the nucleus. The post-medieval mansion occupies the south range and is thoroughly 18th century in appearance but with intact medieval undercrofts beneath. The two-storeyed west range incorporating the Abbot's tower is medieval, as is the inner gatehouse and the 'Spanish' barn. The church (55m x 14.5m, with the north aisle separated by an arcade of 6 columns) and the east range is roofless and ruinous. Walls are constructed of random-rubble utilising local limestone and breccia, with carved details in finer limestone, purbeck marble and red sandstone.
The East Range abutting the south transept, has for the most part not been incorporated into the later mansion. It includes the ruins of the sacristy or vestry with a spiral stair to the 1st floor, and the chapter house, which would have originally been vaulted, and which has a fine late Norman doorway, symmetrically flanked by 2 windows. To the south are the remains of a through-passage leading from the cloister and a further room of uncertain size connecting the east and south ranges. The ruins in this area have been obscured by the east wing of the mansion which in part consists of a folly of late 18th or early 19th century date, which utilises architectural details from the abbey. The area between the south and east ranges was the traditional location of the reredorter (toilets) which would have been supplied with running water. The 1st floor of the east range would have been the dorter (dormitory). A short distance to the east of the east range are the ruins of the infirmary, the visible part of which consists of a rectangular structure of some 20.3m by 9.7m. Traditionally infirmaries had their own kitchens, and the presence of a well, together with the remains of a hearth that were revealed in excavation, indicates that Torre followed this pattern.
The West Range undercroft is 9.9m wide and has differences in design between its n and s halves. The central section has been subdivided by 2 cross walls to form a through-passage which provides access from outside and the cloister to both n and s vaults. Traces of decorative paint in a simple linear style can be seen beneath the flaking lime-wash on the ceiling. This passage appears to have functioned as a parlour, the only part of the cloister in which conversation was permitted. The 1st floor originally consisted of a substantial hall and apartments, traditionally utilised by the abbot. The hall retains the internal part of an early 16th century wagon roof, and has a blocked fireplace in its east wall. Abutting the west face of the west range is a square four storied tower which forms a large extension of the abott's apartments. At ground level there is access from outside directly into the undercroft through-passage, and the presence of stone benches along the walls indicates that this area was an extension of the canon's parlour. The 1st floor room opens into the hall, and all 3 upper rooms and the roof are connected by a spiral stair partly housed in an external turret.
The South Range undercroft is 9.5m wide and has also been subdivided by 2 cross walls. The east vault has a fireplace in its east wall indicating that it functioned as the warming room. The central vault has a stair, now blocked, opening out of its north wall. All of the openings in the south wall have been blocked by the terrace of the later mansion. The 1st floor originally consisted of the frater (dining hall). In the south-west corner of the cloister part of the medieval cobble floor is exposed and an adjacent wall contains a recessed lavatoria (washing place). In the angle between the south and west ranges are the remains of the kitchens, much altered by the later mansion, but including 3 small vaulted rooms and the remains of 2 fireplaces. The kitchens were connected to the abbot's apartments by a spiral stair.
The Gatehouse: Adjoining the south-west corner of the kitchens is the early 14th century inner gatehouse, the Mohun Gate, a 3-storied crenellated structure, complete but with a modern roof. It is asymmetric in plan, having multi-angular towers on 3 of the corners, and 2 arched and vaulted passageways, separated by an arcade. The main n passage was for mounted travellers and wheeled vehicles, the smaller passage for pedestrians. Both have ribbed vaults with decorated bosses, and are divided centrally by arches and jambs on which the doors were hung. The pedestrian passage has a cobbled floor. All of the external architectural detail is in sandstone. The ground floor accommodation consists of a room for the gate-keeper, with a fireplace, and a door opening into the pedestrian passage. A spiral stair within the soouth-east turret provides access from the outside to the upper apartments and the roof-walks. On the 1st floor there is a rectangular room above the pedestrian passage and gate-keeper's room, which has a vaulted ceiling and a fireplace. The 2nd floor consists of one large room with a fireplace, and a passage in its ne corner giving access to a garderobe (toilet) closet and evidently to a wall-walk above the 1st floor rooms over the kitchen. One narrow window on the ground floor of the nw tower has been modified as a gun loop for a small matchlock weapon.

Unattributed Sites and Monuments Register Entry (Unattributed Sites and Monuments Register Entry). SDV263.

Visible remains exist in the form of a number of ruined and adapted structures, partly incorporated into a post-medieval mansion. The ruins are laid out in the traditional monastic plan in which a church and three ranges of two-storied buildings were grouped around the central square open court of the cloister, with ancillary buildings further from the nucleus.
They include the remains of the abbey church, and virtually complete examples of vaulted undercrofts, a tower, inner gatehouse and barn. The walls are constructed of random-rubble utilising local limestone and breccia, with carved details in finer limestone, Purbeck marble and red sandstone.
The cloister is laid out in a square with sides of 28m. On its north side, and at a slightly higher level, are the ruins of the church, of cruciform plan, aligned east-west, and of 55m overall length. It consists of a nave and north aisle, of 14.5m overall width and separated by an arcade of six columns; transepts with east aisles each containing two chapels; and a presbytery at the east end. A tower originally stood above the crossing and its fallen remains obstruct the centre of the church. The south-west corner of the nave abuts the north-east corner of the west range. Recent excavations have added considerably to the understanding of the nature and development of the church demonstrating that the floor was tiled; the quire at the east end of the nave had underfloor acoustic chambers and was divided from the nave by screens and two altars; the tower had a spiral stair in its north-west corner; in the C15/16 the northernmost chapel of the north transept was substantially enlarged; burials were present throughout the church and include two wall tombs, that in the north transept being early C15 and of exceptional design and craftsmanship.
The most substantial remains are on the south and west sides of the cloister where the monastic buildings survive to roof height, having been adapted as part of the later mansion. Both ranges have undercrofts of groined vaults supported on central piers, with windows in their outer walls and floors of beaten earth. The principal traditional monastic use of these rooms was for storage. The western range undercroft is 9.9m wide and has differences in design between its northern and southern halves. The central section has been subdivided by two cross walls to form a through-passage which provides access from outside and the cloister to both north and south vaults. Traces of decorative paint in a simple linear style can be seen beneath the flaking lime-wash on the ceiling. This passage appears to have functioned as a parlour, the only part of the cloister in which conversation was permitted. The first floor originally consisted of a substantial hall and apartments, traditionally utilised by the abbot. The hall retains the internal part of an early C16 wagon roof, and has a blocked fireplace in its east wall. Abutting the west face of the west range is a square four storied tower which forms a large extension of the abott's apartments. At ground level there is access from outside directly into the undercroft through-passage, and the presence of stone benches along the walls indicates that this area was an extension of the canon's parlour. The first floor room opens into the hall, and all three upper rooms and the roof are connected by a spiral stair partly housed in an external turret.
The south range undercroft is 9.5m wide and has also been subdivided by two cross walls. The east vault has a fireplace in its east wall indicating that it functioned as the warming room. The central vault has a stair, now blocked, opening out of its north wall. All of the openings in the south wall have been blocked by the terrace of the later mansion. The first floor originally consisted of the frater (dining hall). In the south-west corner of the cloister part of the medieval cobble floor is exposed and an adjacent wall contains a recessed lavatoria (washing place). In the angle between the south and west ranges are the remains of the kitchens, much altered by the later mansion, but including three small vaulted rooms and the remains of two fireplaces. The kitchens were connected to the abbot's apartments by a spiral stair.
The range of buildings on the east side of the cloister, abutting the south transept, has for the most part not been incorporated into the later mansion. It includes the ruins of the sacristy or vestry with a spiral stair to the first floor, and the chapter house, which would have originally been vaulted, and which has a fine C12 Norman doorway, symmetrically flanked by two windows. To the south are the remains of a through-passage leading from the cloister and a further room of uncertain size connecting the east and south ranges. The ruins in this area have been obscured by the east wing of the mansion which in part consists of a folly of late C18 or early C19 date, which utilises architectural details from the abbey. The area between the south and east ranges was the traditional location of the reredorter (toilets) which would have been supplied with running water. The first floor of the east range would have been the dorter (dormitory).
A short distance to the east of the east range are the ruins of the infirmary, the visible part of which consists of a rectangular structure of some 20.3m by 9.7m. Traditionally infirmaries had their own kitchens, and the presence of a well, together with the remains of a hearth that were revealed in excavation, indicates that Torre followed this pattern.
Adjoining the south-west corner of the kitchens is the early C14 inner gatehouse, the Mohun Gate, a 3-storied crenellated structure, complete but with a modern roof. It is asymmetric in plan, having multi-angular towers on 3 of the corners, and 2 arched and vaulted passageways, separated by an arcade. The main north passage was for mounted travellers and wheeled vehicles, the smaller passage for pedestrians. Both have ribbed vaults with decorated bosses, and are divided centrally by arches and jambs on which the doors were hung. The pedestrian passage has a cobbled floor. All of the external architectural detail is in sandstone. The ground floor accommodation consists of a room for the gate-keeper, with a fireplace, and a door opening into the pedestrian passage. A spiral stair within the south-east turret provides access from the outside to the upper apartments and the roof-walks. On the first floor there is a rectangular room above the pedestrian passage and gate-keeper's room, which has a vaulted ceiling and a fireplace. The second floor consists of one large room with a fireplace, and a passage in its north-east corner giving access to a garderobe (toilet) closet and evidently to a wall-walk above the first floor rooms over the kitchen. One narrow window on the ground floor of the north-west tower has been modified as a gun loop for a small matchlock weapon.

Anon, 1862, Proceedings of the British Archaeological Association, 185-186 (Article in Serial). SDV316225.

Described as a Norbertine Abbey. There had once been three gatehouses with octagonal turrets, only one of which can be seen. The ancient refectory was converted in 1779. The choir of the abbey church is calculated to have been about 22m long, 9m wide, and the transept 29.5m wide. The entire length of the fabric, including the Lady Chapel, was probably over 60m. The remains of a tessellated pavement and stone coffins have been found.

Miles, G. F. W., 1862, Proceedings of the Congress, 185-6 (Article in Serial). SDV102166.

An early account describes the finding of the remains of tessellated pavement and stone coffins found.

Birch, W de G., 1872, On Three Lists of Monasteries Compiled in the Thirteenth Century, 45-64 (Article in Serial). SDV256356.

The abbey appears as Torre, Sancti Salvatoris, on a list of monasteries compiled in the 13th century.

Appleton, E., 1874, Architectural Notes of Torre Abbey, Torquay, 1874, 496-500 (Article in Serial). SDV362631.

Watkin, H.R., 1909, A Short Description of Torre Abbey, Torquay, Devonshire (Monograph). SDV362632.

Watkin, H. R., 1912, A short description of Torre Abbey (Monograph). SDV366886.

1913, Proceedings at meetings of the Royal Archaeological Institute. The Summer Meeting at Exeter. 22nd to 30th July, 1913, 546-547, Fig. 12 (Article in Serial). SDV362633.

Description of the buildings given by Mr. St John Hope. There is little known of the abbey beyond the date of its foundation in 1196. The church has largely gone but sufficient remains to show its plan. Three sides of the cloister wall survive, although one is obscured by modern building. The north wall has gone but appears to have had three doorways. Part of the east wall had been rebuilt to serve as a pigeon house. There was a circular staircase survives in the corner of the vestry which led to the rooms above. The chapter house was to the south of the vestry. The south range was the frater, the west range comprised the cellarer’s range on the ground floor with probably the Abbot’s lodging and guest hall above. The block at the south-west corner served as the kitchen. The abbey gatehouse is 14th century with two arched entrances, one wide and one narrow. To the south-west is the monastic barn which dates to the 13th century.

Watkin, H. R., 1914, The use of a Norse standard of measurement by the Normans in eleventh and twelfth-century buildings, 328-329 (Article in Serial). SDV316215.

The abbey was founded by Lord William de Briwere in 1196 of the Premonstratensian order. It was dissolved in 1543. The buildings were bought by Sir George Cary in 1662, in whose family they remained for several centuries. Not much remains of the buildings: there are fragmentary remains of the church and domestic buildings, also the entrance of the cloister garth, and a rounded archway, richly moulded with two small windows. The refectory is now a chapel for the house. The gateway is in a good state of preservation, and is a very good example of that type of building. The tithe barn on the south of the abbey is a fine example and is similar to that at Wells.

Watkin, H. R., 1915 - 1920, Norse standards of measurements (Article in Serial). SDV339046.

Torre Abbey church is believed by the author to have been built with Norse standards of measurement.

Reichel, O. J., 1916 - 1917, Teigngrace Church, 110 (Article in Serial). SDV313042.

The abbey's discrepant dedications are referred to.

Watkin, H. R., 1918, A Great Devonian, William Briwer. Presidential Address, 85,110 (Article in Serial). SDV136126.

Watkin, H.R., 1918-19, Curious Stone at Torre Abbey, 145, 260 (Article in Serial). SDV362645.

In the south transept of Torre Abbey lies a block of granite. On the upper surface are incised three circles. Granite was not used in the early masonry of the abbey, and the block does not appear to be local Dartmoor granite. The block was probably the corner, or the foundation stone of the church, and may have been brought from France for that purpose.

Baring-Gould, S., 1918-1919, Curious stone at Torre Abbey, 224 (Article in Serial). SDV316240.

The curious stone at Torre Abbey is a cresset stone. Lights were burned in the sockets partly in honour of some saint, partly to supply some light.

Belaiew, N., 1920, Notes on the Russian and Norse measurements used by the early Norman builders, 203-204 (Article in Serial). SDV339044.

A 19th century pamphlet notes that the early Norman builders of Torre Abbey church used the Norse measurements of the Sajene and the Arschine. The width of the church is given as 49ft or 7 sajenes (1 sajene is 7ft), north wall is 4.8ft or 56in ie 2 arschines. 1 arschine is 28" or 1/3 of a sajene. Width of aisle is 4 arschines. These measurements also used in Russia. Not used by Saxon builders. Brought to Russia by the Normans, and to England after the conquest of 1066.

Watkin, H.R., 1920, The House of Stuart and the Cary family. James II and Torre Abbey, 1-46 (Article in Serial). SDV362173.

The Cary family's ownership of Torre Abbey is described in some detail.

Watkin, H. R., 1922 - 1923, Bell Inscriptions at Abbotsham Church and Torre Abbey, 25-27 (Article in Serial). SDV18520.

A bell hanging in the abbot's tower has an Old English inscription which is a repetition of a word on a bell in Abbotsham Church.

Watkin, H.R., 1922-26, The Manor of Tormohun, 147 (Article in Serial). SDV362720.

Clapham, A.W., 1923, The Architecture of the Premonstratensians with special reference to their Buildings in England, 117-146 (Article in Serial). SDV362634.

Account of the abbey buildings given.

Watkin, H. R., 1926 - 1927, William Briwer, 193 (Article in Serial). SDV16799.

William Briwer endowed Torre Abbey with the churches of Torre, Bradworthy, Buckland Brewer and Wolborough by his own gift.

R. B. M., 1926-1927, Sacrilege at Torre Abbey, 25 (Article in Serial). SDV316235.

Account of an armed robbery at the abbey in 1351.

Cary, I., 1928-1929, Nelson and St. Vincent at Torre Abbey, 1-7, Pl (Article in Serial). SDV316236.

Aspects of the 19th century history of the abbey are discussed. A plate shows the buildings as they were in 1810.

Morris, J. E., 1931, Notes From Country Correspondents, 247-252 (Article in Serial). SDV343763.

Torquay Corporation purchased Torre Abbey and grounds in 1937.

Rose-Troup, D., 1936 - 1937, Cartularies of Religious Houses in Devon, 142-144 (Article in Serial). SDV256423.

The cartulary of Torre Abbey in 1549 is included in Arundell's contemporary account of lead taken from Devon's dissolved religious houses.

Rose-Troup, F., 1936 - 1937, Lead from the Dissolved Religious Houses in Devon in 1549, 122-126 (Article in Serial). SDV7422.

Cambridge University, 1949, CUC/CF, 36-37 (Aerial Photograph). SDV342760.

Pevsner, N., 1952, The Buildings of England: South Devon, 290-291 (Monograph). SDV336217.

Main features noted.

Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division, 1953, SX96SW10, Plan and Photograph (Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Card). SDV316217.

Site visit 8th November 1952. The remains of the abbey are for the most part incorporated within the Torquay Council Ofices. Identifiable remains include fragmentary portions of the church, the west wall and entrance doorway of the chapter house, the western range with the guest hall over the abbot's lodging, and the cellarage with a 14th century porch, part of the cloister walk and fine examples of a 14th century gatehouse and a 13th century barn.

Hoskins, W. G., 1954, A New Survey of England: Devon, 502 (Monograph). SDV17562.

Tor abbey was founded near the shore of the bay in 1196, and was, at the dissolution, the richest Premonstratensian house in England. Considerable remains of the monastic buildings are to be seen, including the late 12th century entrance to the chapter house, the early 14th century gatehouse, the guest hall and the great barn. The present house of Torre Abbey is 17th and 18th century in date. The abbey site was bought in 1599 by Thomas Ridgeway, ancestor of the Earls of Londonderry.

Ralegh Radford, C. A., 1957, Torre Abbey, Torquay, 149-150, Fig. 7 (Article in Serial). SDV316229.

A Praemonstratensian Abbey founded in 1196. Most of the surviving remains of the abbey including the ruined church, east range and subvaults of the south and western ranges date from the time after the foundation. The Tithe Barn to the south-west was added in the 13th century. The gatehouse is 14th century. Following the dissolution in 1539, the site was acquired by John St Leger. It then passed through various hands until it was bought by Sir George Carey in 1662. It remained in the hands of his descendants until c.1927 when it was acquired by the Corporation of Torquay.

Ralegh Radford, C. A., 1957, Torre Abbey, Torquay, 149-50, Plan (Article in Serial). SDV362639.

A Praemonstratensian Abbey founded in 1196 by William Brewer. The surviving remains include the ruined church and east range, and the southern and western subvaults which date to the years following the foundation. The tithe barn near by dates to the 13th century, while the gatehouse is 14th century. The abbey was surrendered in 1539 and acquired by John St Leger in 1543. It passed through various hands until 1662 when it was bought by Sir George Carey. It remained with his descendents until it was acquired by the Corporation of Torquay about 25 years ago.
See article for description of monastic remains.

Walker, H. H., 1961, Notes for a Study of Bishop Walter de Stapledon and the Church in the West Country in the Early 14th Century, 324, 325 (Article in Serial). SDV18677.

The abbey's freedom from episcopal visitations in the 14th century is noted.

Torr, V. J., 1961-1964, East Ogwell Slabs, 217-220 (Article in Serial). SDV316249.

Two grave slabs in East Ogwell church are believed to have come from Torre Abbey.

Walker, H.H., 1968, The Causeway near Torre Abbey in South Devon, 125 (Article in Serial). SDV361988.

Torre Abbey was founded in 1196. In 1930 the house, ruins and grounds were acquired by the Torquay Corporation

Knowles, D. + Hadcock, R. N., 1971, Medieval Religious Houses: England and Wales, 192 (Monograph). SDV323253.

Torre Abbey, the abbey of St Saviour or Holy Trinity was a Premonstratensian abvey founded by William Brewer in 1196 for an abbot and 6 canons, who colonised it from the mother-house of Welbeck. It later became the richest Premonstratensian house in England, with 26 canons, though after the black death the numbers of canons were reduced to 11. At the dissolution in 1539 there were 13 canons together with the abbot, who all received pensions.

Department of Environment, 1975, Borough of Torbay, 151 (List of Blds of Arch or Historic Interest). SDV362418.

Delderfield, E., 1977, Scrapbook 2 (Article in Serial). SDV77.

Investigation during repairs to the clock tower suggests a 12th century date. The quoins are of Salcombe sandstone, similar to other early parts of the abbey, including the east wall of the cloister and the main doorway of the Spanish Barn. The upper part of the tower is of brown triassic sandstone suggesting the structure was heightened probably in 14th century. Extensions on the north and south sides of the tower were also medieval. The north medieval window lighting the staircase in the north extension is shown to be in situ, not re-used as previously believed. Repairs will include a new lead roof, stonework conservation, internal plastering, resetting windows and replacing external render (Western Morning News).

Seymour, D. J., 1977, Torre Abbey. An Account of its History, Buildings, Cartularies and Lands, 13-23 (Monograph). SDV340436.

Seymour gives a brief description of the buildings. The abbey plan follows the usual plan of the Premonstratensian order with a north aisle added to church in the 14th century. The article also includes a reproduction of an engraving of the abbey in 1662.

Timms, S. + Allan, J., 1981, Torre Abbey (Site Visit). SDV366864.

Site visit 3rd November 1981. The whole site including the area of the abbey cemetery to the north of the church and the presumed area of the outer court to the west is in the ownership of Torbay Borough Council. The standing buildings are used as an art gallery and museum. The ruins are conserved for public display with aid of annual DoE maintenance grant. The south range which is incorporated in the 18th century mansion retains its medieval undercroft. The west range is better preserved with surviving undercroft, gate tower and roof. The roof was recently restored with a DoE grant. The ruined east range includes the fine 12th century doorway to the chapter house. The site of the abbey church on the north is largely incorporated in public gardens with circa one metre of made-up ground over the medieval floor level.

Timms, S., 1981, Torrey Abbey (Personal Comment). SDV316224.

One of the present curators of the gallery has undertaken some recent diggings to uncover among other features, building foundations on the east side of the north transept. Tile and worked stone fragments from these and earlier investigations are displayed in the house without proper reference.

Beer, P., 1982-3, Architecture and Geology in Torquay, 62-63 (Article in Serial). SDV362545.

Beer discusses the siting and fabric of the abbey. It is mostly built of local limestone, with some sandstone. The one piece of granite may be a pillar top or base. Pillars of purbeck marble flank the chapter house entrance.

Griffith, F. M., 1984, DCC/PTY, 3648-3656 (Aerial Photograph). SDV343176.

Robinson, R., 1984, Field Monument Warden Site Visit (Personal Comment). SDV112440.

Site visit 18th January 1984.

Sellman, R. R., 1985, Aspects of Devon History, 8 (Monograph). SDV362368.

Westcott, K., 1985, Watching Brief at Torre Abbey 1984, 75 (Article in Monograph). SDV362656.

Department of Environment, 1986, Torre Abbey (Correspondence). SDV316258.

Department of Environment, 1986, Torre Abbey (Correspondence). SDV316259.

Patch, P.A. & Henderson, C.G, 1986, Torre Abbey Excavation 1986: Report and Recommendations for Future Work (* Torbay Report - Interim/Research/Specialist). SDV362655.

Devon County Council, 1986-87, Devon Religious Houses Survey (Un-published). SDV347681.

Torre Abbey was one of sixty plus religious houses investigated as part of the Devon Religious Houses Survey, a Devon County Council Rescue Project. The aims of the survey were to identify how much remains of the site and to consider how any surviving remains could be conserved for the future. The work comprised a rapid assessment of the site, summarising the present state of knowledge, followed by a more detailed survey in order to define the extent of the religious house and its plan, identify the earthwork and standing remains and assess its post-dissolution history. See separate entries for the results of the surveys.

Weddell, P. J., 1986-87, Devon Religious Houses Survey 1986/87. Preliminary Assessment Form. Indio, Bovey Tracey (Un-published). SDV366865.

Torre Abbey was a Premonstratensian abbey founded in 1196. The site is currently owned by the Torquay Corporation. The potential for buried deposits is considerable. Standing remains include the gatehouse of c.1320. A list of previous research is given. The church remains are to be excvated by EMAFU.

Weddell, P. J., 1987, Devon Religious Houses Survey: Torre Abbey (Report - Survey). SDV316271.

The abbey lies in a sheltered location in Tor Bay, just 300m from the sea. The monks exploited the natural harbour here, which was the basis of the settlement that later became Torquay.
The abbey was founded by William Brewer in 1196. It was of the Premonstratensian order and was colonized by an abbot and six canons from the mother house of Welbeck. It was dedicated to St Saviour and the Holy Trinity as well as to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The site of the abbey was within the William Brewer’s manor of Torre and he also endowed it with other land and churches. His son was also a great benefactor and is buried in the abbey church. The abbey gradually acquired the remainder of the manor of Torre following its acquisition by the Mohun family in the 13th century. The abbey flourished becoming the wealthiest Premonstratensian abbey in the country. By the end of the 13th century the abbey owned land in 17 parishes across the country, the churches of Torre, Hennock, Bradworthy, Shebbear, Buckland Brewer, Townstall in Dartmouth and Skidbrook in Lincolnshire, and also land at Ashclyst in Broadclyst held from Exeter Castle.
The abbey was surrendered to the crown in 1539 and the abbot and 13 canons were given pensions. The site was granted to John St Leger in 1543 and the rest of the abbey’s possessions were mostly split up and sold to individual buyers. St Leger sold the site that same year to the then lessee Sir Hugh Pollard. He granted it to Edward Seymour in 1580 who sold it to Thomas Ridgeway in 1598. He held it until 1654 when it came into the possession of John Stowell. In 1662 it was sold to Sir George Cary. The Cary’s held it for some two centuries and were responsible for most of the remodelling of the site. Most of the additions occurred in the 18th century when the west range was enlarged and the south front added. A ballroom in the east wing of the extension is said to have been built in anticipation of a visit by Lord Nelson. In 1930 the site was bought by Torbay Borough Council. The standing buildings are used as an art gallery and museum and the ruins conserved for public display.
The claustral buildings were located to the south of the church with the approaches to the abbey from the west side. There is a barn to the south-west and there may have been other farm buildings in this area. The site drainage is generally north-south, towards the sea.
Selective excavations have been carried out on the site in the early 20th century and in the 1980s.
The church appears to have been of a simple cruciform plan with a north aisle said to have been added in the 14th century. Most of the tiles on the nave floor had been robbed but there were late 15th-early 16th Dutch tiles as well and 13th and 14th century ones. The south transept is the better preserved of the two. Large blocks of masonry are probably the remains of a crossing tower.
The east range appears to have contained three rooms and a passage on the ground floor and the canons dorter on the first floor. The most important room was the Chapter House, of which the west side wall is well preserved. To the east of the east range was the infirmary.
The south range comprised an undercroft above which was the refectory, mostly hidden within the present house. The kitchen probably occupied the area to the west of the refectory. The west range contains the most complete survival of the monastic buildings, apparently least disturbed by the alterations of the 18th and 19th centuries. It is also built on an undercroft with the upper floor occupied by domestic buildings, probably the abbots chamber and guest hall. The north room (?guest hall) was latterly used by the Cary’s as a chapel. The Abbot’s Tower in the centre of the range forms an imposing entrance porch to the building. It has a round-headed window of c.1200 in the south wall. The tower was repaired and modified in 1874.
According to John Leland, writing in the 16th century, the abbey had ‘three fair gatehouses’. Today only one remains. Another gatehouse is marked on the west side in an engraving of 1662 which is presumed to be the one that collapsed in the late 18th century. The probable sites of the two missing gatehouses were identified by Watkin in 1912 (Plan 1). The surviving gatehouse is said to date from c.1320.
To the south-west of the gatehouse is a fine stone, tithe barn dating to the 12th or 13th century with opposing central doors and ten buttresses on either side. It was used to accommodate Spanish prisoners from the Armada in 1588 and thus became known as the Spanish Barn.
There are numerous references to water supplies in the abbey’s cartulary and there was a well-organised system of drains and conduits throughout the abbey precinct. There is a reference to a water mill in 1473. This is thought to have been on the leat that ran down the west side of the precinct, through the kitchen area and southwards towards the sea.
The site is clearly of great interest and of national importance. It was the richest house of the Premonstratensian order and there are extensive visible remains and well as medieval fabric hidden behind later additions and also probably extensive archaeological deposits. It is a scheduled ancient monument and the buildings are listed Grade I. It is also an important public resource.

Department of Environment, 1987, Torre Abbey (Correspondence). SDV316261.

Griffiths, F. M., 1988, DAP/KB, 6-8a (Aerial Photograph). SDV171002.

Griffith, F., 1988, Devon's Past. An Aerial View, 81 (Monograph). SDV64198.

The front part of the building dates from the 18th century, but the aerial view of Torre Abbey lets us see that behind the facade the west and south ranges of the abbey cloister still exist, while the front of the building has been enlarged by the addition of two slightly projecting wings.

Youngs, S. M. + Clark, J. + Gaimster, D. R. M. + Barry, T., 1988, Medieval Britain and Ireland in 1987, 225-314 (Article in Serial). SDV75013.

Department of Environment, 1988, Torre Abbey (Correspondence). SDV316262.

Gaimster, D. R. M. + Margeson, S. + Barry, T., 1989, Medieval Britain and Ireland in 1988, 161-241 (Article in Serial). SDV336470.

Excavations by EMAFU in 1988. The east portion of the aisle, together with a newel stair which provided access to the crossing tower, and the north transept were excavated. The north transept originally possessed two chapels, which in the late medieval period were rebuilt and enlarged eastwards, in the process covering several earlier graves, originally inside the church. The enlarged north chapel was floored with imported Dutch tiles, removed at the dissolution, within it the lines of a screen and of the alter dais were clearly visible. Little remained of the interior fittings of the south chapel. The north transept in this period possessed benches along its west and north walls, and was floored with slates. Fragments of several earlier floor levels survived although truncated by graves. A small niche was located in the south-west corner of the transept, and a tomb recess in the north wall. This originally contained an early 15th century recumbent armoured figure which was broken up at the dissolution. A particular concentration of graves was identified (but not excavated) in the north transept.

Pye, A.R., 1989, Torre Abbey Excavations 1986-1989 (* Torbay Report - Interim/Research/Specialist). SDV362335.

Excavations on the site of the church at Torre Abbey between 1986 and 1989, in advance of consolidation, are reported by Pye. These established that the church was originally built, with a north nave aisle in the 13th century, incorporating a tiled floor; the quire at the e end of the nave had underfloor acoustic chambers and was divided from the nave by screens and 2 altars; and the tower had a spiral stair in its nw corner. The church was subjected to alterations in the 15th and 16th centuries when two new side chapels were constructed in the enlarged north transept. Traces of the medieval tiled floor, survive from this period as do a very large quantity of high quality architectural and sculptural fragments - including parts of a very high quality late medieval tomb with the recumbent effigy of a knight, made of Beer stone. During excavations over 100 graves were revealed in the church, mostly in the north transept where there were also 2 wall tombs. Thirteen graves, in the nave and aisle, were fully excavated, and work on the skeletons was begun in 1989.

Department of Environment, 1990, Torre Abbey (Correspondence). SDV316265.

Scheduled Monument Consent granted for erection of a 15" diameter cast aluminium plaque in blue enamel with white lettering.

Department of Environment, 1991, Torre Abbey (Correspondence). SDV316266.

Scheduled Monument Consent granted for a new staircase to the undercroft.

Gibbons, P., 1993, Torre Abbey No. 134670 (Report - Survey). SDV366863.

Torre Abbey is set in a small area of parkland surrounded by the modern residential and recreational development of Torquay. The monument includes the known extent of the upstanding and buried remains of an abbey of the Premonstratensian canons in occupation from 1196 until 1539.
Excavations have located sections of a channel to the west of the cloister that supplied water, from a source to the north-west of the abbey, to the kitchens, with a side channel to remove waste from the gatehouse garderobe. Part of a culvert follows the alignment of the north wall of the church. These clearly represent only a fragment of the abbey's water management scheme. A spring is located some 50m to the south-east of the cloister ranges, but is no longer visible. The extent of the land originally granted to the abbey is known from its foundation charter. It amounted to a roughly rectangular area of some 800m by 300m enclosing approximately 24 hectares, with the abbey sited in the south-west quadrant. The land forming the precinct was traditionally enclosed behind a wall, and contained, in addition to the nucleus of the church and cloister, all the buildings and structures, both agricultural and industrial, associated with the degree of self sufficiency that the abbey was capable of sustaining. Many of these structures would have been of timber or cob construction. The engraving of 1661 shows some stone structures not now existing, including a further gatehouse to the west of the abbey. In the mid 16th century the antiquarian Leland reported that the remains of three gatehouses were visible at Torre. When the ornamental gates of the mansion, near Abbey Lodge, were moved a short distance to the south in 1972, the foundations of a substantial building were located which appear to be those of an outer gatehouse. Ground surface in the vicinity of the abbey appears to have been landscaped with the construction of the mansion. In general the ground has been raised by about 1m. The abbey was founded in 1196 by William Brewer, on land granted from his manor of Torre to the Premonstratensian order. It was colonised by canons from the English mother house of Welbeck in Nottinghamshire, and dedicated to St Saviour and the Holy Trinity. By the end of the 13th century the abbey had been granted land throughout Devon, and it benefited from the growth of Newton Abbot following the establishment of a weekly market. At this time there were 26 canons in residence, and the acquired wealth of the abbey made it the richest premonstratensian abbey in the country. A licence to crenellate was granted by Edward III in 1348. In 1370 the Manor of Torre came in to the ownership of the abbey. In 1539 there was an abbot and 16 canons in residence. It was dissolved in 1539. A condition of the subsequent sale of the buildings was that they were to be rendered unfit for monastic use, and this was assisted by the crown's sequestration of all the roofing lead. In 1543 the abbey was granted by the crown to John St Leger, and after twice changing ownership was purchased by Thomas Ridgeway, who remodelled the west range as a dwelling. In 1662 it was purchased by Sir George Cary. The Cary family converted the buildings into the present mansion during the 18th century. In 1930 the house and its grounds were purchased by Torbay Borough Council. The abbey and house are together listed as a Grade I building, with the barn separately listed as Grade I. Archaeological excavations were undertaken in the early 20th century by Watkin. In 1984 observations were made during the excavation of a service trench to the south of the mansion. Between 1986 and 1989 a large area of the church was excavated and consolidated for display.

Department of National Heritage, 1994, Torre Abbey (Correspondence). SDV316267.

Scheduled Monument Consent granted for the installation of handrails, grab handles, and replacement of taps with lever handles in existing toilets.

Department of National Heritage, 1994, Torre Abbey (Correspondence). SDV316269.

Scheduled Monument Consent granted for works concerning the strengthening of a structural beam in a Georgian extension to the rear of Torre Abbey.

Department of National Heritage, 1994, Torre Abbey (Correspondence). SDV316270.

Scheduled Monument Consent granted for works concerning the provision of a secondary means of escape from the mayor's parlour, and improved facilities for the mayor's robing room, foyer, visitors' toilet and museum stores.

Department of National Heritage, 1994, Torre Abbey (Correspondence). SDV316206.

Scheduled monument consent granted for the installation of two CCTV cameras in the Spanish Barn and associated external cables, installation of security floodlighting, illuminating the west side of the abbey, the main gatehouse and north side of the Spanish Barn, and removal of existing floodlight switch gear from the porter's lodge in Mohun Gatehouse to the modern kitchen servery.

Cox, J. + Thorp, J. R. L., 1995, Torre Abbey, Torquay, Devon (Report - Survey). SDV362347.

A history and detailed architectural description of the standing roofed fabric.

Department of National Heritage, 1996, Torre Abbey (Correspondence). SDV316272.

Scheduled Monument Consent granted for works comprising, (a) repairs to the monastic ruins; (b) the insertion of a fire escape door to the vestry and to the porch tower; (c) security improvements to the north east courtyard; (d) the refurbishment of gallery 6; (e) the conversion of former public toilets to temporary exhibit store; and (f) repairs to external garden walls.

Unknown, 1996, Unknown (Article in Serial). SDV316274.

Investigation during repairs to the clock tower suggests a 12th century date. The quoins are of Salcombe sandstone, similar to other early parts of the abbey, including the east wall of the cloister and the main doorway of the Spanish Barn. The upper part of the tower is of brown triassic sandstone suggesting the structure was heightened probably in 14th century. Extensions on the north and south sides of the tower were also medieval. The north medieval window lighting the staircase in the north extension is shown to be in situ, not re-used as previously believed. Repairs will include a new lead roof, stonework conservation, internal plastering, resetting windows and replacing external render.

Department of National Heritage, 1997, Torre Abbey (Correspondence). SDV316275.

Scheduled Monument Consent granted for the replacement of the previously destroyed bowls' pavilion.

Department of National Heritage, 1997, Torre Abbey (Correspondence). SDV316276.

Scheduled Monument Consent granted concerning the excavation of an 18" trench.

Department of National Heritage, 1997, Torre Abbey (Correspondence). SDV316273.

Scheduled Monument Consent granted for works to strengthen the principal intermediate floor beam to gallery six.

Swete, J. (ed. Gray T. + Rowe, M.), 1997, Travels in Georgian Devon. The Illustrated Journals of the Reverend John Swete. Vol. 1, 175-182 (Monograph). SDV341166.

Swete visted Torre Abbey in December 1793 and sketched a general view of the house and another entitled Arches at Torr Abbey, the gateway and the Spanish Barn (DRO: 564m/2/99,115).

Gibbons, P., 1999, Torre Abbey, Torquay, Archaeological Field Evaluation of the The West Walk of the Cloister (Report - Excavation). SDV362349.

The evaluation failed to locate the inner wall and pavement of the west clositer walk.

Channel Coast Observatory, 2001-2012, Channel Coast Observatory Aerial Photography, Channel Coastal Observatory SX9063_20120918ortho.ecw 18-SEP-2012 (Aerial Photograph). SDV351226.

The ruins of the abbey are visible as walls of varying height.

Bartlett, A.D.H., 2003, Torre Abbey, Torquay, Devon: Geophysical Survey (Report - Geophysical Survey). SDV363274.

This resistivity survey carried out in the grounds of Torre Abbey produced a number of findings which are likely to relate to structures within the monastic precinct. Features detected by the survey include ranges of buildings which are likely to indicate a farmyard to the south of the surviving barn. Part of the site is currently a golf course, and detailed interpretation is hindered in places by high readings from the sandy bunkers, but additional wall footings appear to survive at several locations. Linear and rectilinear features can be seen, particularly to the south of the 18th century house (now the museum), which occupies the site of the abbey. Other findings include an extended linear feature which could indicate a southern boundary to the monastic precinct, as well as structures which could relate to the monastic mill, as identified in previous investigations of the site. Other linear markings towards the east of the survey could indicate paths or drains, perhaps from more recent periods in the history of the site.

Hegarty, C. + Knight, S. + Sims, R., 2013-2014, South Devon Coast Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey National Mapping Programme Project (Interpretation). SDV351146.

The taller walls of the abbey ruins are visible on all available aerial photographs of this area, but the low walls that remain of the nave of the church become visible only after excavation in the late 1980s. The excavations can be seen in progress on aerial photographs taken in 1988. The transcriptions are based on the most recent available aerial photographs dating to 2012, and include what appear to be large chunks of fallen masonry, but only those features not already on the base map have been transcribed, for the project.

Historic England, 2022, Torre Abbey Historic House and Gallery, Torbay (Correspondence). SDV364861.

Historic England application for Scheduled Monument Consent to undertake repairs to the Gatehouse, south west range, south east range, north end of the west range, courtyard 4, and adjacent groundworks. Photographs shall be prepared of the monument before the start and after completion of the works along with a programme of archaeological work before and during the development in accordance with a written scheme of investigation which has been submitted to and approved by the Secretary of State advised by Historic England. This shall cover both groundworks and structural repairs.

Historic England, 2022, Torre Abbey, Creation of Hybrid Work Space and Meeting Room (Correspondence). SDV364879.

Consent given for Scheduled Monument application to create a hybrid work space and meeting room within an existing store room. Necessary recording arrangements are secured by condition.

Watts, S., 2023, Torre Abbey (Ground Photograph). SDV365861.

Historic England, 2025, Torre Abbey, The Kings Drive, Torquay: Section 42, consent to carry out a Geophysical Survey and Metal Detector Survey (Correspondence). SDV366850.

Consent to carry out a geophysical survey and a metal detecting survey at the above site. The consent shall commence on 23 March 2026 and shall cease to have effect on 23 June 2026.

Historic England, 2026, National Heritage List for England 2026, 1206852 (National Heritage List for England). SDV366714.

Premonstratensian Abbey. Founded 1196, converted to a house in 1598 with progressive remodellings of the late C17, C18 and early C20. Local grey limestone and red sandstone rubble; partly rendered; stacks with stone or brick shafts. PLAN: Courtyard plan. Ruins of Abbey church to the N; chapter house and first-floor dormitory in E range with covered cloister on W side. W range originally guest hall and private apartments, guest hall partly converted to RC chapel in 1779. S range originally refectory over cellar with SW wing adjoining. Offset C14 gatehouse to the SW. EXTERIOR: The gatehouse is the best-preserved medieval structure of the complex. Embattled with octagonal corner turrets and one large and one smaller double-chamfered archway with rib vaults with carved bosses; scattered fenestration. Long 2:1:3-window W front with a projecting 3-stage embattled tower in the centre with, alongside to the north, an embattled porch block with a moulded archway leading to a flight of steps up. Tall 1779 chapel windows to the left: 24-pane sashes with pointed-arched glazing bars in the upper tier. 2-light transomed windows to the right. The tower has a crank-headed doorway and 2 and 3-light C19 or C20 Ham Hill stone-mullioned windows with hoodmoulds. C12 moulded window in S side of tower. Low embattled screen walls to left and right of the tower. To right of this front an embattled range (SW wing) with a 4-window front adjoins the gatehouse. Embattled S range with a largely Georgian 5:7:5-bay S front, the centre 7 bays recessed and 2-storey. 12-pane sashes to the outer bays; 24-pane to the centre, except the first-floor tier which has French windows onto individual cast-iron balconies. Central open porch on columns with segmental pediment and modillion frieze. Irregular and partly-ruinous E wing with 2 small late Tudor towers to the NE. On the E side of the cloister the chapter house ruins with a Transitional moulded archway flanked by round-headed windows. Plan form of church still discernible: in form of transept with a rectangular chancel and original N aisle. INTERIOR: S range preserves medieval undercroft with groin vaults on columns. W range undercrofts also intact with similar vaults on square-section or cylindrical columns. W range roof, thought to be late medieval, also intact: a plastered wagon with bosses, visible in the C18 chapel. First floor of tower has intersecting beamed ceiling with chamfered, stopped joists. Passage entrance to chapel preserves a large recess, possibly a domestic piscina (qv Kirkhanm House, Paignton). medieval stair to SW wing (Pevsner). Gatehouse preserves medieval stair and garderobe shaft. C17 service stair with turned balusters in SW range. C18 domestic features include a staircase between S & W ranges with turned balusters and carved tread-ends. Fine C18 dining room with a good cornice and white marble chimneypiece. Chapel has reredos by Kendall of Exeter. Some early C20 fittings include stained glass, probably dating from Colonel Cary's period in residence, beginning 1906-7. A site of major archaeological as well as architectural interest. Recent (1987-88) archaeological investigations by the Exeter Field Unit established more detail about the Abbey Church and the whole site might yield further evidence of interest. (Buildings of England: Cherry B: Devon: London: 1952-1989: P.852-3).
Date first listed: 20th November 1952

Deckament, Unknown, Deckament Collection (Record Office Collection). SDV366654.

Sketches of the barn and the gatehouse.

Department of Environment, Unknown, Torre Abbey (Correspondence). SDV326677.

Scheduled Monument Consent granted for minor internal alterations and reinforcement of doorway masonry.

Sources / Further Reading

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SDV171002	Aerial Photograph: Griffiths, F. M.. 1988. DAP/KB. Devon County Council Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). 6-8a.
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	Linked documents:1
SDV316272	Correspondence: Department of National Heritage. 1996. Torre Abbey. Scheduled Monument Consent Letter. Letter.
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	Linked documents:1
SDV351226	Aerial Photograph: Channel Coast Observatory. 2001-2012. Channel Coast Observatory Aerial Photography. Channel Coast Observatory. Digital. Channel Coastal Observatory SX9063_20120918ortho.ecw 18-SEP-2012.
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SDV362349	Report - Excavation: Gibbons, P.. 1999. Torre Abbey, Torquay, Archaeological Field Evaluation of the The West Walk of the Cloister. 105.
SDV362368	Monograph: Sellman, R. R.. 1985. Aspects of Devon History. Aspects of Devon History. A4 Paperback. 8.
SDV362418	List of Blds of Arch or Historic Interest: Department of Environment. 1975. Borough of Torbay. Historic Houses Register. 151.
SDV362545	Article in Serial: Beer, P.. 1982-3. Architecture and Geology in Torquay. Transactions of the Torquay Natural History Society. XIX, part 1. 62-63.
SDV362631	Article in Serial: Appleton, E.. 1874. Architectural Notes of Torre Abbey, Torquay, 1874. Transactions of the Devonshire Association. 6.2. Digital. 496-500.
SDV362632	Monograph: Watkin, H.R.. 1909. A Short Description of Torre Abbey, Torquay, Devonshire. .
SDV362633	Article in Serial: 1913. Proceedings at meetings of the Royal Archaeological Institute. The Summer Meeting at Exeter. 22nd to 30th July, 1913. Archaeological Journal. 70. Digital. 546-547, Fig. 12.
SDV362634	Article in Serial: Clapham, A.W.. 1923. The Architecture of the Premonstratensians with special reference to their Buildings in England. Archaeologia. 23 (second series). Unknown. 117-146.
SDV362639	Article in Serial: Ralegh Radford, C. A.. 1957. Torre Abbey, Torquay. Archaeological Journal. 114. Digital. 149-50, Plan.
SDV362645	Article in Serial: Watkin, H.R.. 1918-19. Curious Stone at Torre Abbey. Devon and Cornwall Notes & Queries. 10 part 1. 145, 260.
SDV362655	* Torbay Report - Interim/Research/Specialist: Patch, P.A. & Henderson, C.G. 1986. Torre Abbey Excavation 1986: Report and Recommendations for Future Work. . EMAFU 86.04.
SDV362656	Article in Monograph: Westcott, K.. 1985. Watching Brief at Torre Abbey 1984. Exeter Archaeology 1984-5. 75.
SDV362720	Article in Serial: Watkin, H.R.. 1922-26. The Manor of Tormohun. Transactions of the Torquay Natural History Society. IV. 147.
SDV363274	Report - Geophysical Survey: Bartlett, A.D.H.. 2003. Torre Abbey, Torquay, Devon: Geophysical Survey. English Heritage Centre for Archaeology Report. 58/2003. Digital.
SDV364861	Correspondence: Historic England. 2022. Torre Abbey Historic House and Gallery, Torbay. Application for Scheduled Monument Consent. Digital.
SDV364879	Correspondence: Historic England. 2022. Torre Abbey, Creation of Hybrid Work Space and Meeting Room. Schedule Monument Consent Letter. Email.
SDV365861	Ground Photograph: Watts, S.. 2023. Torre Abbey. Digital.
	Linked images:3
SDV366654	Record Office Collection: Deckament. Unknown. Deckament Collection. Deckament Collection, Vol. 12. Hardback Volume.
SDV366714	National Heritage List for England: Historic England. 2026. National Heritage List for England 2026. Website. 1206852.
SDV366850	Correspondence: Historic England. 2025. Torre Abbey, The Kings Drive, Torquay: Section 42, consent to carry out a Geophysical Survey and Metal Detector Survey. Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 (as amended) Section 42, consent to carry out a Geophysical Survey. Digital.
SDV366863	Report - Survey: Gibbons, P.. 1993. Torre Abbey No. 134670. Monument Protection Programme. 134670. Unknown.
SDV366864	Site Visit: Timms, S. + Allan, J.. 1981. Torre Abbey. Digital.
SDV366865	Un-published: Weddell, P. J.. 1986-87. Devon Religious Houses Survey 1986/87. Preliminary Assessment Form. Indio, Bovey Tracey. Devon Religious Houses Survey. A4 Stapled + Digital.
SDV366886	Monograph: Watkin, H. R.. 1912. A short description of Torre Abbey. A short description of Torre Abbey. Unknown.
SDV64198	Monograph: Griffith, F.. 1988. Devon's Past. An Aerial View. Devon's Past. An Aerial View. Paperback Volume. 81.
SDV7422	Article in Serial: Rose-Troup, F.. 1936 - 1937. Lead from the Dissolved Religious Houses in Devon in 1549. Devon and Cornwall Notes and Queries. 19. Unknown. 122-126.
SDV75013	Article in Serial: Youngs, S. M. + Clark, J. + Gaimster, D. R. M. + Barry, T.. 1988. Medieval Britain and Ireland in 1987. Medieval Archaeology. 32. Unknown. 225-314.
SDV77	Article in Serial: Delderfield, E.. 1977. Scrapbook 2. Western Morning News. Newspaper/Magazine Cuttin.

Associated Monuments

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• EDV6127 - Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey National Mapping Programme (NMP) for South-West England - South Coast Devon (Ref: ACD618)
• EDV7888 - Torre Abbey Excavations 1986-89
• EDV7898 - An archaeological impact assessment on the proposed BT trench in Torre Abbey gardens (Ref: 7)
• EDV7899 - An archaeological assessment of a proposed new pavilion in Torre Abbey Meadows
• EDV7900 - A Watching brief in Torre Abbey Gardens, February 1998
• EDV7907 - Torre Abbey, Torquay, Devon: Historic Building Report
• EDV7908 - Conservation plan for Torre Abbey
• EDV2416 - Devon Religious Houses Survey

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