May the Torbay Force be with you!
On December 27 2016 we lost Carrie Fisher. None were more upset by the news than Torbay’s Jedi community –...
The Vikings come second in Torbay
The Anglo Saxon Chronicle records that in the year 850AD:“Here Ealdorman Ceorl with Devonshire fought against the heathen men at...
The Hellhounds in Torbay
We've discussed before the legend of the Demon Hunter of Daddyhole Plain, and briefly mentioned his accompanying “two savage hounds...
The Devil at Daddyhole
Above the natural arch of London Bridge is the limestone plateau of Daddyhole Plain. Unlike London Bridge, which was named...
Torbay gets the ‘Flu
In 1918 there was a children’s skipping rhyme which went: “I had a little bird, Its name was Enza. I...
Adam Nevill’s ‘No One gets out Alive’ – a review
It’s always a pleasure to find the long heritage of Torbay Horror being continued- and a great relief to find...
Growth, Change and Challenge: Torquay’s Churches in the Nineteenth Century
Torquay grew rapidly during the nineteenth century: in 1801 there were 838 persons; by 1851, 11,474; and by 1901 it...
The 2019 English Riviera Film Festival
This year's 2019 English Riviera Film Festival is in its fifth year and has become one of the South West’s...
Torquay 1853- invasion and revolution scares
In 1858 a terrorist attack in Paris caused a reaction in Torquay. On January 14th, 1858 the French Emperor Napoleon...
The Original Torquay Dad’s Army
In 1803 the small villages that made up Torbay prepared to be invaded. Evacuation plans were drawn up and the...
1068 The Irish raid South Devon
We all know that the Normans came first in the Battle of Hastings in 1066. However, England didn't give in...
Torbay and the Siege of Calais
In 1346 the villages of Torbay took part in the siege and capture of Calais. It was recorded that '...
The Fawlty Towers Remakes
Fawlty Towers has made Torquay famous throughout the world.In 1977 and 1978 alone, the original TV show was sold to...
The Wolves of Torbay
The founder of Torre Abbey William Brewer was also Sheriff of Devon and, under Richard I (1189–1199), one of the...
1690- The French attack Teignmouth
In 1690 the French fleet was in Torbay, and while they were with us launched a devastating attack on Teignmouth.They...
1703- the English and Dutch Fleets in Torbay
On July 5 1703 a great fleet appeared in Torbay. This were the combined English and Dutch squadrons under the...
Torquay- how others see us
The Scottish poet Robert Burns famously wrote, "O would some power the giftie gie us to see ourselves as others...
Torbay’s History- just a bit of fun?
Is having an interest in the history of our Torbay just a bit of fun?Local history is certainly enjoyable -...
Torre Abbey’s Open Air Cinema Festival
Torre Abbey Museum’s Open Air Cinema Festival returns in August, with 9 nights of alfresco screenings under the stars and...
Torre Abbey- ready for War
When the antiquary John Leland visited Torre Abbey in the sixteenth century he described "three fair gate houses‟. One of...
