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Vane Hill, Torquay, circa 1880

 


Old photo of Vane Hill Torquay, taken from Waldon Hill, Devon, circa 1880


Vane Hill: The "Italian" Outlook of Torquay

Rising steeply from the harbor, Vane Hill is one of the most distinctive residential areas in Torquay. Its collection of grand villas was designed to give the town the feel of an Italian coastal resort. At its heart is Vane Tower, a building so iconic that it has served as a landmark for sailors, a retreat for writers, and a lookout for soldiers.

1. The Crown Jewel: Vane Tower

The most famous building on the hill is Vane Tower, built in 1855. It is the defining feature of the hillside and a masterpiece of Victorian design.

  • Italian Style: Designed by the local firm Harvey and Perrett, the tower was built in the "Italianate" style. This helped Torquay secure its reputation as a high-class, European-style resort.

  • Distinctive Silhouette: Its red-brick tower and elegant arches make it one of the most recognizable buildings in the West Country. It is currently protected as a Grade II listed building.

2. A Diplomatic Haven

In the late 1800s, Vane Hill became a center for high-society international relations.

  • Count Corti: The hill was home to Count Luigi Corti, a renowned Italian diplomat and Ambassador.

  • The View: Count Corti famously chose to live there because the sweeping view across Torbay reminded him of the beauty of Lake Lugano in Italy. He often claimed it was the only view in England that could rival the Italian Lakes.

3. A Strategic Military Lookout

Because Vane Hill offers a 360-degree view of the bay and the surrounding landscape, it was a vital military site during World War II.

  • The Home Guard: Vane Tower was requisitioned as a primary lookout post.

  • Defense: Soldiers spent their nights on the roof of the tower, watching the horizon for German bombers or the much-feared signs of a sea invasion. Its height made it the perfect "eye in the sky" for the town's defense.

4. Literary and Political Ties

Vane Hill has long been a magnet for influential and famous figures.

  • George Bernard Shaw: The famous Irish playwright stayed at Vane Tower in 1912, drawn by the quiet elevation and the inspiring coastal scenery.

  • The Suffragette Movement: In 1918, the hill became a hub for political activism. A resident at the tower used one of the town's few private telephones to coordinate the Women's Party Campaign, supporting the movement for women's right to vote.

5. Resilience and Restoration

The hill has faced its share of drama, most notably during the Great Storm of 1987.

  • The Collapse: Hurricane-force winds caused the tower’s massive chimney stack to blow over, crashing through the roof and into the interior of the building.

  • The Recovery: The tower remained in a state of disrepair for years until a major restoration project brought the building back to its former glory, preserving the "Italian" look of the hillside for future generations.

6. The "Grandstand" of Torbay

For Victorian residents, Vane Hill was the ultimate "grandstand" for the town's maritime events.

  • Spectator Spot: From the upper terraces, people could watch the Torbay Royal Regatta and naval reviews with total clarity.

  • Panoramic Views: On a clear day, the view from the hill stretches from the limestone cliffs of Berry Head in Brixham all the way to the granite peaks of Dartmoor in the distance.

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Location: Torquay, UK

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