from October 8th 1863 to November 26th 1863
with views and a map
H. M. A.
Vol. 1.
Town & Harbour, Torquay. London J. & F. Harwood, 26, Fenchurch St. [1842?]. Somers Cocks 3192.
Map of Torquay and the adjacent country, within a distance of 8 miles. Published by Edward Cockrem, bookseller & stationer, Directory Office, Torquay. 1863. .
Thursday October 8th 1863. We arrived at Torquay, and went to Cumper's Hotel where Papa had taken rooms for us. The Hotel is in Sulyard Terrace, the first house coming from the station in the Terrace.
Waldon Hill & Sulyard Terrace. A. Cowan & Sons, Cannon St West. Published by D. Ardley. [1855?]. Not in Somers Cocks . No. 447.
We came by the G. W. R. and S. D. R. having passed several fine views also the towns of Reading, Bath, Bristol, Exeter &c. A very fine view may be seen before the train arrives at Newton and leaves the River Teign for Torquay. Shortly before the traveller arrives at the station he sees the fine avenues of Torre Abbey on the left.
The River Teign, from Brecknock Hill, Devon. Rock & Co., London. Published by E. Cockrem, Newton Abbot & Torquay. 10th March 1855. Somers Cocks 2899A. No. 2696.
Friday October 9th. Papa, Mama and I went for a drive, and to see Kanescombe, the house which Papa had taken for us, on Warberry Hills. The house stands in very pretty though small grounds. The entrance which is from Lower Warberry Road, is through a narrow, winding, though short road, which leads to the front door, and afterwards to the stables. The road to the house has a bank on each side, which are covered with trees, shrubs, ferns &c. The view on the South west side of the house is very beautiful, overlooking the garden (in which there are several pretty trees, shrubs, plants &c) and through the valley between the hill called the Braddons and Park Hill there is also a good view of the Bay, the village of Paignton on the opposite shore, and a beautiful range of hills beyond, which stretches right & left. One of these hills is Beacon Hill.
Torquay. Published by E. Croydon Public Library. [1855?]. Not in Somers Cocks .
When we left the hotel we went through the Strand and up Babbicombe Road passing the Public Gardens on the right.
Public Gardens, Torquay. G. Townsend del. Exeter. Pubd by H. Besley. Pubd. April 4th 1853. Somers Cocks 3326. No. 116.
After we had seen Kanescombe, we drove to Babbacombe downs from which place can be seen magnificent views, of the Devon & Dorset coasts. Where the red cliffs of Devonshire & the chalky cliffs of Dorset join is Beer where the Beer stone is present, Teignmouth, Exmouth, Budleigh Salterton, Sidmouth,
Babbacombe. Published at Croydon’s Royal Library. [1855?]. Not in Somers Cocks .
Watcombe, near Torquay. Rock & Co. London. 6 Aug. 1860. Somers Cocks 3363-1. No. 1786.
and the Isle of Portland are visible on a clear day. The silver beach of Babbicombe is very curious. After we left the down we drove to St Mary Church down St. Mary Church Road, Union Street, & Fleet Street to the corner [of] the Strand where the old tree is, then along Torbay Road (which
Torquay from Stantiford Hill. London J. Harwood, 26, Fenchurch St.. 25 April 1856. Somers Cocks 3318. No. 296.
Torquay from Park Hill No. 2. J. S. & Co.. [1860?]. Somers Cocks 3242. No. 1784.
has the sea on one side, and a beautiful bank or cliff on the other, with ivy &c creeping up and growing on the rocks) we had a view of Torre Abbey, one part of the Park is studded with villas. We then returned to the Hotel which is only a short distance from Torre Abbey.
Torre Abbey. London, J. Harwood, 26, Fenchurch St.. Feby 12th 1845. Somers Cocks 3350.
Saturday October 10th. On this day it was unfit for me to go out, so I remained in the Hotel and had a good view of the Beacon, the Bay, Paignton, and the range of hills, (parts of which can be seen from Kamscombe), look beautiful from here, on a fine day. Omnibuses, carriages, flys, midges, &c going to and from the Railway Station, pass the Hotel.
The Beacon, Torquay. Kershaw & Son London. [1850?]. Not in Somers Cocks . No. 512.
Sunday October 11th. We went for a drive before church, and passed the Basin, the Beacon &c and went part of the way up Park Hill Road, and back again to the Hotel, where Papa was waiting to go to church with me.
The Bason & Pier Head, Torquay. Kershaw & Son London. [1850?]. Somers Cocks 3199?. No. 516.
Monday October 12th. We drove nearly all the way to Paignton, and passed Corban Head. The rain came on very heavily which made us turn towards Torquay, the sea was washing over the wall opposite Torre Abbey, and a drum was up on the Beacon. That night and Tuesday night were very stormy.
Torquay from Corban Head. G. Townsend delt.. Pub. By H. Besley, Exeter. [1861?]. Somers Cocks 3298. No. 159.
Tuesday October 13th. We drove to Kanescombe, through the Strand, taking the small parcels with us, and then went for a short drive through Torquay, and back again to Kanescombe as this was the day we "took possession of the house".
The Strand, Torquay. G. Townsend del. Exeter. Pubd by H. Besley. Pubd April 4 1853. Somers Cocks 3082. No. 113.
Wednesday October 14th. We intended to drive to Torre Station, but through not knowing our road from Kanescombe started the wrong way and finding we could not easily go there, we went to Harcome Park.* We saw Tor Church in the distance in the beginning of our drive.
* I made a mistake we did not go any further than Solomon's Post. H. M. A. Oct. 26th '63
Tor Church. G. Townsend de. Exeter. Pubd by H. Besley. [1853]. Somers Cocks 3130. No. 114.
Thursday October 15th. Drove to Cockington but did not see the church, and came home along some lanes and one of the Torre Abbey avenues.
Cockington Church, near Torquay. Published by D. Ardley. [1855?]. Somers Cocks 0398A.
Friday October 16th. Drove to Babbicombe and Watcombe, but did not get out of the carriage to see the rocks.
Babbacombe Bay from the Beacon. J. S. & Co.. [1860?]. Somers Cocks 3062. No. 1789. .-
Watcombe, Torquay. Pub. By E. Croydon, Royal Library, Torquay. [1855?]. Not in Somers Cocks .
Saturday October 17th. We went to Paignton, and drove as far round the bay as we had time for, and had beautiful views of Torquay &c.
Sunday October 18th. A damp day, so I could not go out.
Monday October 19th. Also a damp day, and unfit for me to go out.
Tuesday October 20th. Drove to Park Hill (from which place we had a good view of
Torquay, from Park Hill (No. 1). Rock & Co. London. 1st Feby 1851. Somers Cocks 3236. No. 1543.
Torquay, from Park Hill (No. 2). Rock & Co. London. 1st Feby 1851. Somers Cocks 3237. No. 1544.
Warberry Hill).
Torquay, from Park Hill (No. 3). Rock & Co. London. April 10th 1851. Somers Cocks 3238. No. 1611.
Torquay, from Park Hill (No. 4). Rock & Co. London. April 10th 1851. Somers Cocks 3239. No. 1612.
Then to Daddy-hole Plain, Hesketh Crescent, along the new drive (from where we saw a very old farm in the distance) passed Kent's Cavern on the way to Ansty Cove, and to Bishopstowe, and then to Babbicombe Down, St Mary Church and back to Kanescombe.
Daddy-hole, Torquay, Devon. Rock & Co. London. 2 Aug. 1860. Somers Cocks 3158-1. No. 1535.
Hesketh Crescent, Torquay. Rock & Co. London. 29 Sep 1860. Somers Cocks 3076B. No. 1138.
Ansty’s Cove, and Bishopstow, Torquay. Pub. By E. Croydon, Royal Library, Torquay. [1855?]. Somers Cocks 3021.
Wednesday October 21st. A damp day and could not go out.
Thursday October 22nd. Drove on the Newton Road.
Friday October 23rd. Drove through Paignton on the Dartmouth Road.
Saturday October 24th. Drove along the Teignmouth Road as far as Solomon's Post.
Sunday October 25th. Drove up and down by the sea till it was time to go to church.
Monday October 26th. Drove through Babbicombe to St. Mary Church and took a turning near the Palk Arms which led us through other roads to the Newton Road.
Tuesday October 27th. Drove past Cockington, Five lanes, Smoky House and by the Paignton Road, home.
Wednesday October 28th. Drove to St. Mark's Road, and afterwards near the sea.
Thursday October 29th. Very windy & rainy also in the morning and unfit for me to go out.
Friday October 30th. Both days stormy.
Saturday October 31st. [ditto]
Sunday November 1st. Went to church with the carriage closed.
Monday November 2nd. Both days stormy.
Tuesday November 3rd. [ditto]
Wednesday November 4th. Took a short drive up and down by the sea with the carriage closed.
Torquay from the Abbey Sands. Kershaw & Son, London. [1860?]. Somers Cocks 3296. No. 851.
Thursday November 5th. Both days unfit for me to go out.
Friday November 6th. [ditto]
Saturday November 7th. Went to afternoon concert at the Bath Saloon. Madlle C[arlotta]. Patti Mme. F. Huddart, Herr Reichardt, Signor Ferranti, M. Ascher & M. Vieuxtemps sang and played. Unfortunately something was out of order in the piano so we could not hear M. Ascher play all he intended.
Sunday November 8th. Went to church in the morning and in the afternoon walked down the garden, Stitchill Road - nearly as far as Land's End & down into the Strand where we found a midge which took us for a drive and back again to Kanescombe. We drove on the Torbay Road, passed the Torquay Station &c and drove through a beautiful valley on the Teignmouth Road called the Rocky Valley. There are picturesque rocks on both sides of the road, one of these rocks forms a natural arch, which we particularly admired and noticed for its curious form. We then took a road leading to St. Mary Church, drove on Babbicombe down and returned home by Bishopstowe &c.
Torquay, from the Pier. Kershaw & Son, London. [1845?]. Somers Cocks 3193. No. 517.
Monday November 9th. Drove to Bronshill Road, St. Mary church Road, Upton, &c.
Tuesday November 10th. Drove on the Paignton Road, passing the Abbey Sands and Livermead.
Torquay, from Livermead. Kershaw & Son, London. [1860?]. Somers Cocks 3297. No. 1163.
Wednesday November 11th. Unfit for me to go out.
Thursday November 12th. Drove to Babbicombe, through St. Mary Church, passing the cemetery, Chapel Hill, &c we came home by the Torre Station and the Torre Abbey avenues.
Chapel Hill, Torquay. Wm Redaway. London, J. Harwood, 26, Fenchurch Street. June 9 1846. Somers Cocks 3323.
Friday November 13th. Drove through Union Street on the Teignmouth Road and came home by St. Mary Church, Babbicombe &c.
Saturday November 14th. Drove up Lisburn Crescent (from near there this view is taken, the gate post being one of the entrances into the Crescent) and afterwards on the Paignton Road.
Torquay from Park Hill. No. 1. J. S. & Co.. [1860?]. Somers Cocks 3241. No. 1783.
Sunday November 15th. Went to Church in the morning.
Monday November 16th. Drove through Union Street (passing Upton Church, also Torre Station and took the turning out of the Newton Road which leads to the cemetery, got on the Teignmouth Road again and came home through Union Street.
The New Church Torquay. G. Townsend del. Exeter. Pubd by H. Besley. [1853?]. Somers Cocks 3143 [variant?]. No. 115.
Volume 1, page 29.
Tuesday November 17th. Drove up to Higher Erith Road, past Hesketh Crescent, intending to go to
The Cove under Daddy’s Hole, Torquay. London, J. Harwood, 26, Fenchurch St. 22 June 1854. Somers Cocks 3161. No. 360.
Torquay from the beacon. Rock & Co. London. 13 June 1860. Somers Cocks 3231A. No. 1143.
Park Hill from the beacon. J. S. & Co.. [1860?]. Somers Cocks 3240. No. 1780.
Wednesday November 18th. Drove near the sea on the Torbay Road &c.
Tor Abbey House, Torquay. London, J. Harwood, 26, Fenchurch Street. Augt. 6th 1847. Somers Cocks 3350A. No. 144.
Thursday November 19th. Drove to Kilmourie passing Bishopstowe, Anstis Cove through a valley at the
Bishopstowe, South Devon. Rock Co. London. Jany 16th 1851. Somers Cocks 3105. No. 1524.
end of which there is a beautiful view of the sea. Daddy's Hole is the point in the right hand of this small bay. This is a very short drive so we drove afterwards under Waldon Hill and then home again.
Daddys Hole, Torquay. London J. Harwood 26 Fenchurch St. June 10th 1854. Somers Cocks 3158A. No. 312.
Friday November 20th. Drove up and down near Torre Abbey and under Waldon Hill until it was time to go and meet Papa at the station.
Waldon Hill, Torquay, No. 2. J. S. & Co.. [1855?]. Somers Cocks 3295. No. 1642.
Saturday November 21st. Very stormy (about 1 o'clock p.m. especially). I could not go out.
Sunday November 22nd. Went to church in the morning, after church drove as far as Cumper's Hotel and then home again.
The Strand, Victoria Parade, Park Hill, &c. Torquay. London J. Harwood 26 Fenchurch St. 21 April 1854. Somers Cocks 3083. No. 283.
Monday November 23rd. Unfit for me to go out.
Tuesday November 24th. Drove to Upper Livermead Road only as it was unfit to remain out.
Wednesday November 25th. Drove first to the chemist's to be weighed then to Messrs Manley & Chaw's in Victoria parade, Cumper's Hotel and then up and down under Waldon Hill until it was time to go home.
Entrance to the Basin, Tor Abbey, Waldron Hill. London J. Harwood 26 Fenchurch St. May 25 1854. Not in Somers Cocks . No. 291.
Thursday November 26th. Down to Lisburn Crescent and afterwards on the Paignton Road. When near the railway station a very good view of Chapel Hill may be seen. It is an abrupt limestone hill, beautifully wooded on the side next the Newton Road, so much so that we did not see it until we found out where to look for it from that road. The chapel or hermitage stands on the summit of the hill and appears to be a ruin. In Cockrem's Guide book to Torquay and its neighbourhood he says that "It contains four arches of different forms: an elliptical, a segmental, an obtuse Gothic, and an equilateral Gothic; and the roof is also an arch of solid stone, covered outside with thick slabs of slate. This chapel is 90 feet above the level of the road". Cockrem quotes Dr Oliver in his description.
Chapel Hill Torquay. Rock & Co. London. Pubd by D Ardley. Dec 1st 1850. Somers Cocks 3324. No. 1490.
This page last updated 16 May 2021
