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Museum Details
Torre Abbey Historic House and Gallery
Image
The King's Drive
Torquay
TQ2 5JE
Devon
England
Collection details
Archaeology
Archives
Costume and Textiles
Decorative and Applied Art
Fine Art
Personalities
Social History
Facilities
Parking: yes
Food: yes
Shop: yes
Guided tours: yes
Baby changing facilities: yes
Study area: yes
Wheelchair access: yes
Visual disability facilities: yes
The building is now 90% wheelchair accessible, following an extensive restoration project spanning 4 years.
Contact details
Main number (Tel)
:
01803 293593
Head of Museum Services (Tel)
:
01803 208506
General information (Fax)
:
01803 215948
general email address
:
torre-abbey@torbay.gov.uk
Head of Museum Services
:
michael.rhodes@torbay.gov.uk
Keeper Of Art
:
amelia.marriette@torbay.gov.uk
Website
:
www.torre-abbey.org.uk
Open
Torre Abbey re-opened on 5th July 2008 following a 4 year restoration programme. Opening times are:
Daily
March - October 10.00 - 18.00, last entry 17.00
November - February 10.00 - 17.00, last entry 16.00
Closed
Closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day
Admission charges
Adults: £5.90 (£4.50 for groups)
OAPs: £4.90
Students: £4.90
Children: £2.50
Family ticket: £14.50
Groups, adult: £4.50
School groups: £2.00
Accompanying adults: Free
Under 5s: Free
Carers: Free
Discounts
British Association of Friends of Museums
Museums Association
Description
Torre Abbey was founded in 1196 as a monastery for the Premonstratensian order of Canons. By the 15th century it was the richest monastery of the order in the whole of the UK. After the dissolution of the monasteries it was turned into a country house, and was home to the Cary family from 1662 to 1930. The early monastic tithe barn was used to hold prisoners of the Armada, since when it has been known as "The Spanish Barn". Today the Abbey consists of two Grade I and four Grade II listed buildings and a scheduled ancient monument.
Collections description
Torre Abbey contains a regionally important collection of oil paintings and watercolours. It is particularly strong in 19th century portraits and landscapes, especially the work of the Preraphaelites, although most recent acquisitions have been by more recent artists, especially.
Trails
Museums And The Macabre
Museums and Literature in the South West
Where To Find The Pre-Raphaelite Collections
Where To Find The Pre-Raphaelites In The Regions
Events
Antony Gormley's 'Field for the British Isles' at Torre Abbey
Exhibition (temporary)
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Information published here was believed to be correct at the time it was prepared. Welsh language pages developed with CYMAL: Museums Archives and Libraries Wales, funded by the Welsh Assembly Government.