Thanks to our friends at the Legendary Ten Seconds, I had heard of Torre Abbey but didn’t realise that it was open to visit, as convenient or spectacular as it is. Half of the original building remains, on three floors including an art exhibition, whilst the other half (including the church) is a ruin, complete with a Christie-themed poisons garden (right) and a warning that all of the substances therein are traceable.
The (Premonstratensian) Abbey dates back to the late twelfth century and survived the Dissolution in the usual way – by passing into private hands: principally the recusant Cary family (Viscounts Falkland), from 1662 to 1930. They overcame several laws, preventing Catholics being served by a priest (the head of the household had an ordained cousin) or from commanding Royal Navy fleets (by proving themselves in action). They are slightly connected to the royal Careys, whose titles include the Hunsdon barony.
Perhaps the Abbey, close to the station, ought to be considered as part of the Agatha Christie Mile, which encompasses much of the coastal road and includes the Crime Museum near the harbour. It details several notorious cases and the very topical details of mobile ‘phones and violence in prisons, although the local Babbacombe murder of 1875 is omitted. A pub in the town had this board about her (right), reminding us that Christie qualified as a pharmacist during the Great War and worked as a nurse before embarking on a literary career.
murreyandblue 
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