Paignton Gardens
Oldway Mansion
Torquay Road, Paignton
An American by birth, Isaac Merritt Singer, the founder of the Singer sewing machine company, fled Paris with his French wife and family during the Franco Prussian War of 1871. On arriving in Torbay he immediately fell in love with the area and purchased Little Oldway, part of the Fernham Estate in Paignton, upon which he planned to build his new residence, a mansion designed by the local architect, G S Bridgeman. The brief by singer was to "build me a big wig-wam".
The first stone was laid on 10th May 1873 and after its completion the mansion remained largely unaltered until a period between 1904 to 1907 when it was further improved by Isaac's son, Paris, who had trained as an architect in France. The Southern aspect and Eastern facade were inspired by the Palace of Versailles and Place de la Concorde (Paris).
During this period the formal gardens were laid out to the south of the house by the leading French garden/landscape designer, Achille Duchene, who also designed the water garden at Blenheim Palace. The 18th Century style Italian Garden, located to the east of the house, was created by Duchene and involves intricate parterre of dwarf box hedging interspersed with flower beds and gravel paths.
Along this broad terrace is a retaining wall adorned with ornamental vases. Balustraded steps and walls, all in keeping with the architectural style of the mansion, lead to the main lawned terrace, allowing elevated views of the parterre below. The less formal gardens feature a grotto, two ponds, a waterfall and a wide range of subtropical plants.
Admission FREE. Open daily, all year round, disable access, tea shop located in grounds, accessible by public transport.
© 2007 The English Riviera
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