Photos offer a glimpse into Torquay's history

These photographs of Torquay’s Regatta Fair on the Strand in 1906 and Combe Pafford in 1865 were kindly provided by Torquay Library.

In a leaflet about the history of the Torbay Royal Regatta, Torbay Libraries explain: “The Torbay Royal Regatta originated when an advertisement appeared in Trewman’s Exeter Flying Post, offering ‘Two handsome silver cups and other prizes’ to be ‘sailed for’ by ‘gentlemen’s boats’ and ‘other boats’. 

Although this maritime event, held on August 24, 1813, was not the first boat race in Torquay, it was the first to distinguish between local tradesmen — ‘others’ — and the growing number of ‘gentlemen’ and their families, popularising the resort.”

The term ‘regatta’ was not applied to the races until 1828, when the Duchess of Clarence attended the increasingly fashionable event.

The annual regatta ran for 50 years before a formal body, now called the Royal Torbay Yacht Club, was organised that would eventually take over the running of local maritime affairs.

While the leaflet does not specifically mention the 1906 regatta, it says that 13 years earlier, in 1893, a new royal yacht, Britannia, won first prize. The Britannia continued to race regularly at the event, crewed by professionals on behalf of either Edward VII or his son, George V.

In 1841, Trewman’s Exeter Flying Post reported: “The Strand appeared as a fair, with many booths, a show of wild beasts, swings, and roundabouts.”

Following complaints from local traders, the fair was moved to Torre Abbey Meadow in 1975. The 2025 Torbay Royal Regatta will take place over the August bank holiday weekend, from August 23 to 25.

Though no information accompanies the image of Victorian-era Combe Pafford, also displayed here, it offers a fascinating glimpse into Torbay’s past. 

Above: Combe Pafford, 1868. Image: Torquay Library

The year 1865, when the photograph was taken, marked the end of the American Civil War, which had significant economic implications for Britain, particularly in the cotton industry.