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Abbey Gardens

Abbey Meadows and Gardens is situated on Torquay Seafront. The meadow is a large open space used by all for events and picnics. The park itself is host to a range of activities, such as tennis and crazy golf; it also houses these Italian Gardens with its attractive pond with fountain and water rock garden. Renovation works have been undertaken throughout the last decade and it continues to be a well loved place enjoyed by locals and visitors alike.

Torre Abbey was built in 1196 and has been important in Torquay’s history ever since. Its roles has included an abbey, a family home, art gallery and attraction - eight centuries of history have been absorbed into the very fabric of a building which is divided into 122 rooms, rambling over 20 different levels and with 265 steps.

Following Henry VIII's Dissolution of the Monasteries, the surviving buildings were bought by Cary family in 1662 and became a private house. Surrounded at that time by fields, the Abbey gradually changed in appearance during the 300 years of ownership by the family, and today bears all the hallmarks of a Georgian Mansion.

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.

The Council, then known as Torquay County Council purchased the land in 1924 for £40,000, todays value would be £1,336,800.00. Abbey Park was developed 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, earlier 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.

Torquay is a seaside town in Devon, England, part of the unitary authority area of Torbay. It lies 18 miles (29 km) south of the county town of Exeter and 28 miles (45 km) east-north-east of Plymouth, on the north of Tor Bay, adjoining the neighbouring town of Paignton on the west of the bay and across from the fishing port of Brixham. In the 2011 UK Census, Torquay's population was 65,245, about half of that of the whole of Torbay.

The town's economy, like Brixham's, was initially based upon fishing and agriculture, but in the early 19th century the town began to develop into a fashionable seaside resort, initially frequented by members of the Royal Navy during the Napoleonic Wars while the Royal Navy anchored in the bay. Later, as the town's fame spread, it was popular with the crème de la crème of Victorian society. Renowned for its healthful climate, the town earned the nickname of the English Riviera.

Torquay was the home of the writer Agatha Christie, who was born in the town and lived there during her early years. The town contains an "Agatha Christie Mile", a tour with plaques dedicated to her life and work.

www.torbay.gov.uk/leisure-sports-and-community/parks/find...

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torquay

Taken in: United Kingdom / England / Torquay (show map)

Taken on: September 5, 2015

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Camera: Nikon D3100, f/11.0, 5 sec, 26mm (=39mm), ISO 400 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	Nikon D3100
Lens:	18.0-55.0 mm f/3.5-5.6
Aperture:	f/11.0
Exposure Time:	5
Focal Length:	26mm (35mm equivalent: 39mm)
ISO:	400
Exposure Bias:	0 EV
Flash:	No Flash
Exposure Program:	Manual
Exposure Mode:	Manual
Metering Mode:	Multi-segment
White Balance:	Auto
Gain Control:	Low gain up
Color Space:	sRGB
Software:	Adobe Photoshop Elements 12.0 Windows
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