Torre Abbey Phase II Evaluation

In July 2011, Oxford Archaeology undertook a field evaluation at Torre Abbey,
Torquay, Devon (centred on SX 907 638).
The evaluation revealed a possibly medieval metalled surface to the south of the
South-East Wing, which was overlain by a sequence of later rudimentary surfaces,
possibly representing construction horizons associated with the post-dissolution reconfigurations
of the South Range of the Abbey.
A potentially medieval wall was also revealed to the east of the South-East Wing.
The was aligned north-south, and is likely to correlate to the west wall of the building
identified as the infirmary by Hugh Watkin in the early 20th century. This wall was
truncated by a later wall on a perpendicular alignment which appeared to be
overlain by the footings of the standing wall of the South-East Wing.
A test pit excavated to the north of the South-East Wing revealed a wall footing
which almost certainly formed part of an early 19th century brewhouse. This overlay
a lead pipe of uncertain, but probably post-medieval, date.
A layer of stone rubble was recorded within a test pit excavated within the South-
East Wing itself. The small size of the test pit means that the interpretation and date
of this deposit is uncertain.
A trench was excavated on the mid 18th century terrace, adjacent to the porch of the
South Range. This revealed a large block of masonry which may be associated with
the blocking of one or more of a series of archways leading from the refectory
undercroft of the abbey to the inner courtyard to the south.
As part of the evaluation phase there were three areas of opening up to the building
fabric. The external removal of render to the South-East Wing revealed the location
of former and inserted openings in the north and east walls. The internal opening
up revealed the primary phase walling for the abbey building onto which the 18th
century extension was added