Paignton's iconic milk bottle stands though big tree falls

There are several well-known landmarks in Paignton. Places where local people have met up with friends and family, or maybe used as a reference point when giving someone directions

One such place is the Milk Bottle, situated on the corner of Cecil Road and Torquay Road.

It has stood there for over 100 years. Originally the property was a dairy owned by Longcombe Dairies, and the milk bottle was made of wood. When the Dairy finally closed in the 1970s, the property was home to a variety of businesses.

In the 1990s the milk bottle was found to be rotten and was replaced by a much sturdier concrete structure.

Currently the shop is a mortgage broker, and the owner had the unenviable job of replacing the milk bottle when it was damaged in a road traffic accident in 2021. 

In the recent past, mobile phones became the norm; the milk bottle had another useful purpose. Working as a call handler for the AA, it was common for many of the members who called for assistance to be visitors and not know where they were. 

The first question was, ”What can you see from your phone box? It was surprising how often the answer was “I can see a large milk bottle on a wall.” The perfect answer; we knew where they were even if they didn’t.

Another very well-known and much-missed landmark was the Big Tree, situated at the junction of Fisher Street and Dartmouth Road. The 140-year-old Monterey Cypress stood 92ft tall and was much loved by many local residents.

Above: Paignton's big tree

There was some controversy when the tree was felled in 2002; some felt it could have been saved and challenged the decision, but it was eventually decided that it was too dangerous, and the tree was gone. Now it remains in the memory of Paigntonians, but all that stands at the crossroads is a stump with faces carved into it.

Lastly, a meeting place rather than a landmark Rossiters café cannot be ignored. For many years it was the place to meet for a coffee, for lunch, or for tea. Situated on the first floor close to underwear and ladies fashions, it was the perfect meeting place.

Centrally situated with a good view of Palace Avenue and providing an excellent and varied menu. Rossiters Store, which traded from 1858 to 2009, is sorely missed by local people, and the site, which currently stands empty, is a sad reminder of what used to be. 

These are, of course, some splendid cafes in Palace Avenue and the surrounding area presently, all worth a visit; however, the position, reputation, and ambience of Rossiters would be hard to beat.

Paignton Heritage Society holds regular monthly meetings on the third Thursday of the month at Gerston Chapel, Torquay Road. Next month’s speaker on Feb 20 is Kevin Dixon, and his talk is entitled Torbay in the Movies. Start time is 7pm. Entry fee £5, and everybody is welcome.

The Society has recently published a book for children on the history of Paignton. The writers Karen Chapman and Lee Hayward will be at the Palace Avenue Theatre on February 13 at 10.30am to talk about their book, the work that went into it, and the help they received from Oldway School. The focus group of children from the school will also be present.

Check out our website, paigntonheritagesociety.co.uk, for details of opening dates and times of our new Heritage Centre in Paignton Library.