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Torquay, Devon: Proclamation of King Edward VII (1901)

 


Old photo of Torquay on 26 January 1901, on the Proclamation of Edward VII


Torquay 1901: The Peak of the "Richest Town in England"

In 1901, Torquay was at its absolute height. Often cited as the wealthiest town in the country per capita, it was a place of extreme luxury, strict social rules, and a landscape so white and lush it was known as the "Queen of Watering Places." It was the final, grand chapter of the Victorian era.

1. The Proclamation of King Edward VII

The year began with a massive historic shift. Following the death of Queen Victoria in January, the town had to officially welcome the new King.

  • The Date: The Proclamation of King Edward VII took place in Torquay on January 26, 1901.

  • The Scene: Huge crowds gathered at the Town Hall and along The Strand. Despite the cold January air, thousands of residents turned out to hear the Mayor read the official announcement.

  • A Town in Mourning: The atmosphere was unique—people were cheering for the new King, yet almost everyone was dressed in black as a mark of respect for the late Queen Victoria.

2. The "Belgravia of the West"

By 1901, Torquay had been fully transformed from a fishing village into an elite playground.

  • Winter Residents: The town’s wealth came from "winter residents"—aristocrats and industrialists who moved to Torquay for the mild climate, leaving London’s smog behind.

  • Luxury Villas: The hills of the Warberries and Lincombes were covered in massive "Italianate" villas. These were brilliant white mansions with towers and flat roofs, designed to look like homes on the French Riviera.

3. Transport: The Age of the Horse

While the first "motor cars" were starting to appear, 1901 was still dominated by the horse and the steam engine.

  • Clip-Clop Streets: The harbor and town center were filled with hansom cabs and private carriages. The main sound of the town was the constant rhythm of hooves on stone.

  • Steam Yachts: Torquay Harbor was a forest of masts. Massive steam-powered yachts, owned by the world’s millionaires, were packed into the marina, making it one of the busiest leisure ports in Europe.

4. A Town of Two Halves

Life in 1901 was defined by a very strict social divide.

  • High Society: The wealthy lived high on the hills to enjoy the "pure" air and the best views of the bay.

  • The Servants: Torquay relied on a massive army of domestic workers. For every grand villa, there were dozens of maids, grooms, and footmen living in small attic rooms or in working-class areas like Ellacombe.

5. The "Riviera" Look

This was the year Torquay truly "owned" its Mediterranean image.

  • Exotic Plants: Gardeners at the grand estates competed to grow the most exotic plants. This was the era when the "Torquay Palm" (New Zealand Cabbage Palm) became the town's unofficial mascot.

  • Public Gardens: Places like Princess Gardens (newly finished) were the social "catwalk" of the town, where people would promenade in their finest clothes to see and be seen.

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Location: Torquay, UK

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