#torquay — Modernist Delights

World War II pillbox, Peaked Tor Cove, Torquay, 2025

A concrete structure with graffiti sits on a wooded slope overlooking a calm body of water. Dense green trees and bushes frame the scene, whilst clouds scatter across a blue sky. Distant land is visible across the water.

A concrete and brick structure stands among dense greenery. Graffiti, including the word “OAKS,” is spray-painted on the wall. Metal railings and stone steps lead up to the building. The blue sky with clouds is visible above the trees.

Holiday pictures of World War II brick pillboxes: 2
Holiday pictures of my partner and I: 1

These structures formed part of Torbay Home Guard’s World War 2 defences. From here, sea mines protecting Torquay Harbour could be remotely detonated in the event of an attack.

The Imperial Hotel & environs, Torquay, 2025

A large white hotel named “The Imperial Hotel,” with multiple storeys and blue awnings at the entrance. Several cars, including an orange pick-up truck and a small grey car, are parked out front. Flagpoles with flags and palm trees are near the entrance.

A low, flat-roofed concrete car park with a red and white barrier at the entrance. Trees and bushes partially surround the building, and the sky above is partly cloudy with patches of blue visible. Gravel covers the foreground ground.

A rectangular vent with geometric concrete designs sits in a rough, pebbled grey wall. Bare vines criss-cross the vent, and cables run below it. Green spiky plant leaves partially obscure the right side of the image.

1860’s hotel with a faded 1960’s exterior, pleasantly squat multistorey car fortress, and decorative vents.

Cotswold House, Torquay, 2025

A large, grey, concrete office building with four storeys of windows is shown under a partly cloudy sky. Cars are parked in front at ground level, where a sign reading Cotswold is visible above a parking area.

A black car is parked beside an empty parking space with a metal barrier. Behind them is a building with large windows, visible stairs inside, grey brick and concrete walls, and a CCTV camera above the middle window. Trees are on the right edge.

A grey concrete office building with rows of windows is shown. Three cars are parked in front, and a stairway is seen at the left. Trees and blue sky with clouds appear above the roof, and sunlight highlights parts of the building.

Largely anonymous 60’s/70’s Department for Work and Pensions call centre, replacing an “elegant” 1840s villa of the same name. Nonetheless, there is something pleasing about a building fitting in so well into a hilly area.

Central Church, Torquay, 2025

A modern concrete church with a large grid-like tower and central cross stands at a street corner. Steps lead to the entrance labelled Central Church. A person in an orange top walks nearby. Older stone buildings and a church spire are visible in the background.

A modern concrete church with a tall, geometric façade featuring grids and a large cross at the top. The entrance has glass doors and a sign reading “Central Church.” The sky is blue with scattered clouds. Potted flowers decorate the entrance area.

A tall, narrow window set in a textured, grey concrete block wall. The window is framed with a simple concrete border and casts a shadow. Light and shadow highlight the rough, grid-like pattern of the blocks. The ground below is worn and partially shaded.

A concrete sign reads CENTRAL CHURCH with METHODIST & UNITED REFORMED underneath. A white board advertises Sunday worship at 10.30 am and Holy Communion, listing contact details for the minister and room lettings. Shrubs are in front.

A brutalist building with textured concrete walls, narrow vertical windows, and angular forms stands under a partly cloudy sky. Two spiky-leaved palm trees cast shadows on the facade, and steps lead up to the main entrance from a sloped pavement.

A concrete garage with vertical metal doors is set into a stone building. Yellow hazard tape blocks the entrance, and there are parked cars and residential houses to the right. The sky is partly cloudy.

A building with steps leading to the entrance.

What great luck to simply happen upon such a beautiful building. The striking tower signifies the union of three previous churches which united in order to build a new church fit for modern day needs. Designed by Edward Narracott, Tanner and André, built 1975.

Fun fact from the church website’s history section:

The Hall is high enough to be used for championship badminton.

Zion Methodist Church, Torquay, 2025

A modern building with copper cladding and large windows is attached to an older stone structure. Two vehicles, a white van and a silver car with a yellow number plate, are parked in front. A jet ski is parked beside bins near a stone wall. Trees rise behind the building.

I’m all for converting vacant buildings into housing, but fucking hell, this carbuncle stopped me in my tracks!

Shirley Towers, Torquay, 2025

A sunny street scene features people walking past colourful shops and cafés on the ground floor of older buildings. Modern blocks of flats rise in the background under a bright blue sky with scattered clouds. A silver car is parked near the pavement.

View of a coastal town with hillside buildings, including tall modern flats among trees, older houses below, a prominent brick wall in the foreground, and a marina with many boats on the right, under a partly cloudy sky.

Built 1963-6, designed by Alec C. French & Partners. Shirley Towers will be my drag name when I grow up.

Riviera International Centre, Torquay, 2025

A paved path leads to blue and green tennis courts, separated by fences. A large, modern building with Riviera Centre signage stands in the background, surrounded by trees. The sky is partly cloudy, and the foreground shows dry, patchy grass.

A large, modern concrete building labelled “RIVIERA CENTRE” has balconies and palm trees in front. Two parked cars and two people standing near a sign are visible. The sky is partly cloudy, and the area looks clean and well-maintained.

A modern, grey concrete leisure centre with large mirrored windows reflects the sky. A yellow Waves sign is on the upper wall. Bushes and palm trees surround the entrance. A paved path and grassy area with rocks are in front, under a partly cloudy sky.

A dense cluster of palm fronds grows in front of black metal garage doors set into a concrete building. The pavement consists of grey interlocking bricks. A red and white ‘No entry’ sign is mounted on the left side of the structure.

A grey, concrete building with RIVIERA CENTRE in bold letters at the top. A large circular window is above three blue doors. The lower facade features dark brickwork. Some plants and bicycle racks are visible near the pavement in the foreground.

Conference & leisure centre, designed by Module 2 and built 1984-87. For a gold star, spot the disinterested boyfriend.

Princess Theatre, Torquay, 2025

A large white building labelled “Princess Theatre” in blue letters. Several blue doors and vertical lines decorate the exterior. Palm trees and benches sit outside, with a hillside and overcast sky in the background. No people are present.

A modern glass-fronted building labelled Princess Theatre with large rounded windows, white trim, and ramp access. Posters are visible near the entrance. In the background, a Ferris wheel and hillside buildings can be seen under a cloudy sky.

Designed by F. T. W. Nixon & G. R. Todd Architects for Torquay Council, opening in 1961. As is so often the case, possibly more attractive from the back.