Abbey Hall For The Disabled

Abbey Hall for the Disabled is a building originally constructed as a school in 1853, designed by Edward Appleton. It is located on Rock Road in Torquay and is built from local grey limestone, with Bathstone ashlar and hammer-dressed grey limestone dressings, topped with a hipped slate roof. The building is in the Italianate style and has a rectangular plan with two storeys.

The front elevation facing Rock Road features five windows, deep boxed eaves, and projecting sill bands. The ground floor originally had two round-headed doorways at each end, with proud arches; the left doorway has a recessed two-leaf door, while the right doorway is blocked. The first floor has five round-headed windows with proud arches and a platband at the springing of the arches. These windows are fitted with 12-pane sashes that include margin panes and radial glazing bars. Above the eaves, there are paired round-headed windows, with a similar platband that serves as a capital for the central mullion.

On the left side of the building, there are three similar second-floor windows. The right side features a central round-headed doorway that interrupts the sill band, flanked by two outer round-headed first-floor windows, also with 12-pane sashes. Above, there is a central window with a 2 over 3-pane sash, and three second-floor windows that match those on the front elevation.

The interior has not been inspected but may contain interesting features. Historically, the building was established as the British School in 1853 for boys and infants. It is noted for its architectural significance and creates a good pair with the Old Town Hall.