Kelly's Directory

Things to Consider           Teachers Notes

The climate of Torquay is extremely mild, so much so that the myrtle as well as many tender exotics may be fearlessly cultivated in the open garden, and the former has in some cases attained, under these conditions, a great age and size. The place is not subject either to great or sudden variations of temperature, is comparatively mild in winter, cool in summer, and remarkably free from thunderstorms.

Torquay has a small harbour, well sheltered from all but easterly winds... A large outer harbour, built by the late Lord Haldon, then Sir Lawrence Palk at an outlay of £70,000, was opened in 1870, and has a depth of more than 20 feet of water at low tides. The imports are chiefly coals, timber, slates and building materials and dried fish from Newfoundland. The exports are chiefly limestone from the adjacent quarries, and marble.

The Winter gardens, situated on Braddons Hill, at the back of the post office, consists of a large building of iron and glass, erected in 1881, at a cost of £14,000 ; the main hall is 150 feet by 80 feet, and there is a fernery, refreshment rooms, halls for entertainments etc.; the building stands in five acres of nicely laid out grounds, and will hold from about 3,000 persons.

The Public Gardens, situated on the Babbacombe Road, comprise about four acres of land, …for the use of the public, and are tastefully planted and laid out with gravel walks, forming a pleasant and sheltered promenade.

The Public Baths, or Bath, Saloon and Reading Rooms, on Beacon Hill, were built by the late Lord Haldon, then Sir Lawrence Palk, MP, in 1870, when the new harbour was constructed: in addition to the baths, there is a reading room, and two saloons, let for concerts, balls, and entertainments.

This is an extract from Kelly’s Directory of 1883.

Glossary:

• exotics: plants that grow in warm climates
• fernery: indoor area planted with ferns
• promenade: area for easy walking