Do you know about the famous people who lived in Torquay?

Welcome to the Torbay Discovery Trail App! Use this App and trail to discover about important people from Torquay and the places in town they are linked with. Explore in person and/or via Google Street View to help you get the most out of your experience. By answering questions carefully, you will unlock the next location on the map!

You can return to use the trail many times but remember to make a note of the following URL to access your trail in the future: https://www.southwestheritagetrails.org.uk/trail/torbaytrail/35y3jhss/

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William

Pengelly

Geologist and Archaeologist

My name is William Pengelly and I am very interested in the past. I explored the caves at Kent's Cavern and wrote a lot about science.

Answer the following question correctly to unlock the next location:

Question: What type of park is Kent's Cavern?

Sue Barker interviewing Andy Murray after he won the Wimbledon Men's Singles Championship, 2016.  (By 'Renamed User 329872503' under CC BY 4.0)

Sue

Barker

Tennis player and TV personality

Sue Barker was a world-famous tennis player. She presents Wimbledon on TV. She practiced her tennis here.

Answer the following question correctly to unlock the next location:

Question: Across the road from the Palace Hotel stands Georgian Court. What hangs above the porch doorway?

Photograph of John Babbacombe Lee published in the Daily Mirror, 3 January 1908.  Reproduced by kind permission of Mirrorpix.

John Babbacombe

Lee

'The man they couldn't hang'

I was found guilty of murder and they tried to hang me. They tried 3 times, but it didn't work, so instead I was kept in prison.

Answer the following question correctly to unlock the next location:

Question: What bird is depicted on the Cary Arms hotel sign?

Eileen

Nearne

Second World War Spy

I was a spy for Britain and France during the Second World War. My job was to send secret messages and help to stop the Nazis.

Answer the following question correctly to unlock the next location:

Question: Around the tower and main door of the church are niches. What stone object is inside them?

Philip Henry

Gosse

Naturalist

I love science! It is my favourite subject. I especially love fish and butterflies, I even invented the word Aquarium.

Answer the following question correctly to unlock the next location:

Question: Sandhurst Manor is now called Sandhurst Court. What side of the Sandhurst Court sign is the blue plaque?

Joe

Louis

Champion boxer and American icon

I am a champion boxer and the best paid person in sport. I was also in the army during the Second World War

Answer the following question correctly to unlock the next location:

Question: Which supporters use the Marnham Road entrance?

Agatha Christie

Agatha

Christie

She has been described as the best-selling author of all time

Shhh! I am Agatha Christie and I need you to be quiet! I am writing one of my famous books and I need to concentrate.

Answer the following question correctly to unlock the next location:

Question: What is the name of the flats built on the site of Agatha Christie's birthplace and first home?'

Haile

Selassie

Emperor of Ethiopia and Rastafarian messiah

I am a famous Emperor of Ethiopia in Africa. I am very important and powerful man and I even knew the Queen!

Answer the following question correctly to unlock the next location:

Question: What can be seen in the centre of the tower above the main doorway?

John

McEnery

Catholic priest and evolutionary biologist

Do you know what this might be? My name is John McEnery and I investigated Kent's Cavern. I found lots of things people hadn't seen before.

Answer the following question correctly to unlock the next location:

Question: What do we call the design on top of the gatehouse and Abbey walls?

Charles

Kingsley

A man of many parts

My name is Charles Kingsley, but you can call me Sir. I have written lots of books, but I also used to be a teacher to a Prince. He became the King!

Answer the following question correctly to unlock the next location:

Question: What material is the property built from?

Isambard Kingdom

Brunel

'The man who built Britain'

My name is Isambard Kingdom Brunel. I am a very famous Victorian, I'm sure you recognise me! I love designing and building things, when I became rich I designed this house.

Answer the following question correctly to unlock the next location:

Question: What stone shape is inside the triangle at the top of the Manor gate pillars by the main road?'

Rudyard

Kipling

Author of The Jungle Book

Have you ever seen a tiger? I have! I grew up in India and love writing stories and poems. I've even written some about animals. Do you think there are any Tigers here?

Answer the following question correctly to unlock the next location:

Question: Find the gates to Rock House, next to the Orestone Manor car park. What can be found in the stone wall to the left of the gate pillars?