Torquay's largest and most prestigious 4-star hotel

About the hotel

Since the 24th August 1921, Torquay's Palace Hotel has been one of the leading hotels in the South West. Beautifully situated in extensive grounds, the pale green building is a local landmark with an enviable reputation for the highest standards of cuisine, accommodation and hospitality. Although opened as an hotel in 1921, the Palace is actually a considerably extended version of a private house built originally in 1841 and has a distinguished history to match its imposing facade.

The Original House
The popular misconception of many guests at the Palace, on learning that it was once the home of a Bishop, is that it was always the size it is now. Although substantial, in actual fact it bore little resemblance to the grand building with which we are familiar today.

“Bishopstowe”, as it was called, was built in 1841. Like many buildings in Torbay it was built in the Italianate style, reflecting the love of Victorians for exotica. In floor space it corresponded roughly to the central section of the present hotel, from the West Lounge by the Ballroom to the East Lounge outside the Restaurant, and was, in the main, two storeys, comprising of 9 main bedrooms, 11 servants' bedrooms and, most importantly, a large shed for washing carriages! Finally there were the magnificent gardens, 25 acres of private land stretching to the sea, and still a major attraction today.

The owner of this beautiful property was one Henry Philpotts, Lord Bishop of Exeter. Amongst his achievements were the creation of a separate diocese for Cornwall (with a cathedral at Truro) and, of course, the laying out of the lovely Bishop's Walk which winds from Ansteys Cove to the bottom of Ilsham Valley.

Bishop Philpotts died in 1869 at the age of 91 and the house was then bought by Sampson Hanbury, great nephew of the Sampson Hanbury who, together with Truman and Buxton, had founded the Brewery at Warley, West Midlands. In 1906 it was bought by a former Governor of Tasmania, Sir Arthur Havelock, and his wife, whose brother was W.E Norris, the Victorian novelist and frequent visitor to Bishopstowe.