This map shows that Torquay was a small place. There were less than 1000 people at this time. Sir Lawrence Palk had just built a new pier and quay but these are very small in comparison with the harbour at the end of the 19^th century. Notice that there was just one bathing cove, numbered 10 on the map and another, numbered 8, for boat building. The boats would be mostly for fishing. There is no road along the coast to Torre Abbey, just the Fisherman’s Path round the hill. There is no sign yet of the villas for the very wealthy which would later dot the hillsides behind the town. Notice how much of the area was woodland or meadow in 1806.