Torre Abbey is the most complete medieval monastery to survive in Devon.  Later converted to a country mansion, and now an impressive historic house, art gallery and garden, Torre Abbey is Torbay's most historic building and is Grade I listed and a Scheduled Ancient Monument.



Founded in 1196 as a monastery of the Premonstratensian order, it had become their wealthiest abbey in England by the end of the 15th century.  Following the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1539 the abbey church was demolished by a ruling of Henry VIII and the abbots' apartment and the south range were adapted as a private house.  In 1662 it became the home of the Cary family who lived in it for nearly three centuries.  They were recusant Catholics and the remains of their secret chapel still survive.

The Carys remodelled the building from around 1740 and its present-day appearance was mostly complete by 1810.




























In 1930 the local council purchased the Abbey for use as an art gallery and mayor's parlour.  Apart from a short time in use by the Royal Air Force during the Second World War it has been open to the public ever since.

The Abbey is used as a showcase for Torbay Council's art collection which is particularly strong in 19th-century art, and also has important works by Holman Hunt and Burne-Jones. There are some furnished rooms and collections of antiques.

































Medieval ruins and undercrofts may be viewed and the medieval tithe barn, popularly known as the 'Spanish Barn' because it was used as a temporary prison after the Spanish Armada, now hosts temporary art exhibitions and other cultural events.