Abbey Park

Abbey Park is situated on Torquay Seafront and has an attractive pond and water rock garden. The pond area was renovated in the autumn/winter 2001/02 after it was decided the plants simply had simply outgrown the area. It became necessary to take some drastic action and totally replant the rock garden and surrounding borders.

The Rockery area has also been re-designed and replanted as well as a newly planted herbaceous border.

As well as the new planting, a new fountain was installed along with new lighting. The renovation has been well received by locals and visitors alike.

The ruins of the old Abbey are still in very much in evidence. There you will find the interesting Education Gardens and Palm House maintained by use of organic methods. This Palm House has within it many rare plants.

The Council, known then as Torquay County Council purchased the land in 1924 and laid out Abbey Park with a large ornamental pond, tennis courts, putting greens and splendid Italian Gardens. The garden is a riot of colour in the summer and contributes greatly to the Bay's reputation as a quality resort.

However, early this Century, before the gardens were laid out, Torre Abbey Meadows extended between The Kings Drive to Belgrave Road.  Abbey Park was developed in two stages. The first to be finished were the tennis courts in 1921, They were the venue for a Davis Cup match in 1924

In July 1910 a memorable event graced this open space. From here Graham White made two flights in his Bi-plane over the combined Atlantic and Mediterranean Home fleets which had assembled in Torbay.

An avenue of flowering Cherries was planted in 2000 to commemorate the Millennium, running from the seafront into the centre of the gardens.

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