Marketing itself as the English Riviera with its mild climate and palm trees, Torquay was the place the posh people went on holiday after the war. The rest of us headed to Butlins or the nearest seaside town.
The posh moved on to more exotic destinations and package holidays took over from the traditional seaside holiday. Now people head off to all inclusive resort holidays.
Despite this, Torquay is still a popular and busy holiday resort with its long promenade, gardens, marina full of boats of all sizes, cafes and bars and a sandy beach. Its spectacular coastline is now a Global Geopark. Torquay is thriving.
It has prehistory with Kent’s Cavern. The ruined Torre Abbey, once the wealthiest Premonstratensian monastery in England, gave its name to the later settlement. Torquay Museum covers the history of Torquay, including its connections with Agatha Christie who lived nearby.
The economy was predominantly based on fishing and agriculture. By the C19th, Torquay was a bustling fishing port, with its own Fish Market. Now there are few boats catching mainly crab.
The barking furnace on South Quay was used to treat fishing nets with bark preservative to protect them from the rotting effects of salt water. Bark from beech or pine was mixed with water to high temperatures producing a tar like substance.
The furnace was no longer used after the Second World War and the copper cauldron has been sold off. The brickwork remains.
The Napoleonic Wars meant the English elite were no longer able to visit Europe and the discovery of the virtues of sea bathing brought visitors to Torquay. A medicinal baths opened followed by a spa and assembly rooms on Beacon Head.
The railway arrived in 1848 bringing more visitors, attracted by the mild climate. A pier was built. The Victoria Hotel opened in 1861, followed by many more. Forget the images of Fawlty Towers portrayed in the 1970s TV comedy series, there are many 4* and 5* hotels here.
Money has been spent to regenerate the town which is now an important local centre for the area, with a good range of shops. It has an excellent bus service as well as ferry services to Brixham and Paignton.
The Pavilion may have closed down awaiting redevelopment, but the Princess Theatre is still busy offering a varied programme .
The big wheel was moved here from the London Olympic Park after the Olympics in 2012 and in the summer months offers amazing views of the town and harbour.
Royal Terrace Gardens have been restored along with a fountain and the war memorial is here.
Gardens and the promenade extend along Torbay road to Torre Sands.
This is a lovely sandy beach popular with swimmers and families, stretching as far as the beach huts below Corbyn’s Head.
Cont...
The posh moved on to more exotic destinations and package holidays took over from the traditional seaside holiday. Now people head off to all inclusive resort holidays.
Despite this, Torquay is still a popular and busy holiday resort with its long promenade, gardens, marina full of boats of all sizes, cafes and bars and a sandy beach. Its spectacular coastline is now a Global Geopark. Torquay is thriving.
It has prehistory with Kent’s Cavern. The ruined Torre Abbey, once the wealthiest Premonstratensian monastery in England, gave its name to the later settlement. Torquay Museum covers the history of Torquay, including its connections with Agatha Christie who lived nearby.
The economy was predominantly based on fishing and agriculture. By the C19th, Torquay was a bustling fishing port, with its own Fish Market. Now there are few boats catching mainly crab.
The barking furnace on South Quay was used to treat fishing nets with bark preservative to protect them from the rotting effects of salt water. Bark from beech or pine was mixed with water to high temperatures producing a tar like substance.
The furnace was no longer used after the Second World War and the copper cauldron has been sold off. The brickwork remains.
The Napoleonic Wars meant the English elite were no longer able to visit Europe and the discovery of the virtues of sea bathing brought visitors to Torquay. A medicinal baths opened followed by a spa and assembly rooms on Beacon Head.
The railway arrived in 1848 bringing more visitors, attracted by the mild climate. A pier was built. The Victoria Hotel opened in 1861, followed by many more. Forget the images of Fawlty Towers portrayed in the 1970s TV comedy series, there are many 4* and 5* hotels here.
Money has been spent to regenerate the town which is now an important local centre for the area, with a good range of shops. It has an excellent bus service as well as ferry services to Brixham and Paignton.
The Pavilion may have closed down awaiting redevelopment, but the Princess Theatre is still busy offering a varied programme .
The big wheel was moved here from the London Olympic Park after the Olympics in 2012 and in the summer months offers amazing views of the town and harbour.
Royal Terrace Gardens have been restored along with a fountain and the war memorial is here.
Gardens and the promenade extend along Torbay road to Torre Sands.
This is a lovely sandy beach popular with swimmers and families, stretching as far as the beach huts below Corbyn’s Head.
Cont...
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