Valerie Hinchliffe
Google
Evocative abbey ruins, beautiful gardens, a 17th century mansion filled with art treasures - there was so much of interest to discover here, and it was only five minutes walk from my hotel! I spent about three and a half hours here, but could easily have stayed longer. The staff were friendly and welcoming, especially the young lady in the gift shop who greeted me and explained what there was to see and where to find it. I visited the abbey ruins first; they date from 1196, and have an impressive gateway with detailed stone carvings. There are info boards that let you know which part of the original medieval abbey you're standing in. I loved strolling around the gardens; their well-kept borders were filled with exotic plants and colourful dahlias, and there's a pergola and ample seating. There are a few uneven steps, but it's mostly smooth and level gravel paths. The giant cactuses are well worth a look, and children will love spotting the "wild animals" in the tropical palm house! The museum has four floors with quite a lot of rooms, but there are wheelchair ramps and a lift. Some fine paintings - I especially liked the landscapes - and sculptures displayed in spacious galleries. The exhibition of automatons was fun, and I enjoyed eavesdropping on the dinner conversation in the Regency dining room. But best of all was the 800 year timeline that tells the abbey's eventful story through printed info, artefacts, interactive displays, touchscreens, and dressing up in period clothes. The little café only appeared to be serving drinks and biscuits at the time I visited, but there were some picnic tables in the grounds, and also a nice gift shop. Torre Abbey is well worth a visit, and it's only a short walk from the seafront.
