Torquay’s Torre Abbey packs August with a free fair
The Torre Abbey Summer Programme 2026 runs at Torre Abbey in Torquay from Saturday 1 August, bringing together landscape art, outdoor theatre, creative activities and a community fair. It is aimed at families, residents and visitors, with the programme extending into early September through the continuing exhibition.
The Summer Fair on Saturday 22 August is free to enter. Prices and ticket arrangements for the other events vary, so visitors should check the venue’s What’s On information before attending.
Landscape painting remains on show until September
At the centre of the programme is Stay A While, an exhibition running until Saturday 5 September. It draws on rarely seen works from Torre Abbey’s own collection to trace the evolution of British landscape painting.
The display moves between the elegance associated with the picturesque movement and the more forceful landscapes of the Romantic Sublime. That gives visitors a chance to see collection material that is not usually on view while exploring how artists’ treatment of the British landscape changed over time.
Nature also shapes the Abbey’s family programme. Craft workshops and drop-in activities will take place throughout August, giving children and young people opportunities to make their own work while exploring the historic gardens and surrounding setting.
The Abbey grounds become an outdoor stage
Two productions bring theatre into Torre Abbey’s grounds during the month. On Friday 7 August, Jungle Book! follows Mowgli, Baloo and Bagheera through a musical adaptation featuring original songs, audience participation and adventure.
Four Forty Theatre returns on Friday 14 and Saturday 15 August with A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The company’s production uses fast-paced performance and inventive storytelling to present Shakespeare’s comedy in an accessible format for a modern audience.
Together, the productions offer two distinct family choices: a participatory musical adventure and a compact treatment of a Shakespeare classic. Both are outdoor performances, making the Abbey grounds part of the experience rather than simply a backdrop.
More than 30 traders join the free Summer Fair
The final dated August event in the programme is Torre Abbey’s Summer Fair on Saturday 22 August. Entry is free, and more than 30 local traders are expected to take part.
The fair will also feature live entertainment, animal encounters, food stalls and family-friendly activities. Its mix of traders and community attractions makes it the broadest drop-in event in the programme for residents and visitors who do not want to commit to a ticketed performance.
Check individual event details before visiting
The programme is spread across several dates rather than operating as one continuous festival. Visitors should choose the exhibition, theatre production, workshop or fair they want to attend and confirm the relevant entry arrangements through Torre Abbey’s official What’s On information.
The supplied announcement does not specify theatre or workshop start times, detailed prices for events other than the free fair, transport guidance or accessibility arrangements. Those practical details and any required tickets should be checked directly with the venue before setting out.
Source: Torbay Council
Context & actions About this article
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Dates, venue, admission information and listed attractions were checked against the Torbay Council announcement.
- Confirmed that the programme takes place at Torre Abbey in Torquay.
- Checked the dates of both outdoor theatre productions.
- Confirmed that the Summer Fair is free to enter and includes more than 30 local traders.
- Checked that the Stay A While exhibition continues until 5 September 2026.
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- Torbay Council
- Scope
- Torquay, Devon
- Updated
- 2026-07-31 14:58
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