In
1820, the Reverend Roger Mallock of Cockington Hall decided to build a
house for his guests by the sea. This house stood on a site a little
way out from the new town of Torquay, and was one of the most
attractive and picturesque in the bay. The house is still with us, but
since the latter part of the nineteenth century has been enlarged and
extensively modernised to transform it into what is now proudly known
as the Livermead House Hotel.
The hotel was a popular Victorian guest house during the mid to
latter part of the last century, and one can imagine the all-enveloping
swimming costumes of the day and bathing machines on Livermead sands -
not a stone's throw from the hotel's doors. The Livermead also played
its part during the Second World War as a medical centre for R.A.F.
personnel being drafted overseas.
One of the Livermead's most famous visitors was the Victorian
clergyman, naturalist and author, Charles Kingsley. He came to Torquay
in 1854 and spent time at the house whilst his wife recovered from
illness.
One may even wonder if the idea for The Water Babies, Kingsley's
most well-known work, may not have been forming in his mind as he
watched the fire burning in the grate and the sparks flying up the
chimney.
