Billings Directory & Gazetteer of Devonshire

Things to Consider           Teacher's Notes

The town lies in the most northerly cove of Torbay, and is celebrated for the picturesque beauty of its shores, their historical interest, and the genial climate; before the last French war the place was a mere fishing village. On the north, east, and west sides, it is completely sheltered by hills of very considerable elevation. The prosperity of this flourishing and much-admired spot may be dated from the period when the Channel Fleet, under Lord St. Vincent, was stationed in Torbay. About this time, says one who knew it then, Torquay consisted of a row of small houses, with green blinds, principally occupied by naval officers’ wives; after this its reputation for the restoration of invalids began to spread abroad; numbers of whom, instead of undertaking the inconveniences attending a long voyage, and the discomfort of a foreign clime, came here to seek the invaluable blessing of health in this sheltered retreat. From that time to the present its progress has been remarkably rapid; the increase of buildings and houses has been in all probability greater than in any other fashionable town in the kingdom…Year after year new villas have been built on the ascending ranges of the adjacent hills, up to the highest point visible from the sea, and occupying every available spot; across the hills to Meadfoot, round Torre, St Mary Church, the Teignmouth and Newton roads, innumerable villa residences have sprung up, and it now presents the appearance of a town of detached residences.

The hotels and inns are of the first class, affording ample accommodation for the reception of visitors of the highest rank: there are also lodging and boarding houses, many of which are splendidly fitted up. The libraries, reading-rooms, and musical repositories are richly stored and well conducted. Concerts and balls take place regularly during the season, and the whole arrangements reflect the highest credit upon the parties into whose hands the management of the town is entrusted; and it may justly lay claim to the title of "The Queen of Watering-places, and the Bella Vue of England."

This is the entry for Torquay from Billings Directory & Gazetteer of Devonshire of 1857.

Glossary:

• genial: pleasant
• elevation: height
• innumerable: many
• fitted up: equiped