Paignton Monastery CIC

05/10/2026

Quick update on the progress of your Monastery.

We are 90% done on the removal of foliage, stumps, brambles, and all types of moss and debris. We have uncovered fences and perimeter pathways that although lovely to find, their state of repair now need their own work!

Neighbours have been lovely and supportive with drinks and snacks, and our volunteers energetic, kind and enthusiastic.

Our next step externally is to wait for the ivy on the northeast side to continue to die away so we can remove without damaging the brickwork, and finish cutting back the top of the drive. Internally, the building is drying out each day. The first job is to erect a temporary stud wall and door, meaning we can partition off a safe, usable public area while the work starts on the rest of the building. This area will have a working toilet (we hear the site feedback!), and communal spaces.

Thank you for all your support so far, in any form you have given.

02/10/2026

We will be up at the Monastery this Sunday from 12pm for gardening and opening the building... All welcome.... Please bring gardening tools if you have them! 🧑‍🌾 🪏

02/10/2026

Our presence on the Heritage Online Portal ❤️

Former house of the Marist Fathers above Paignton, with the Gothic chapel opened in 1883 and its statue of the Virgin once used as a landmark by boats. Not listed; since 2026 owned by a community company.

29/09/2026

Before the trees grew tall, the Monastery, along with it's living quarters in the beige building on the left, would have been a landmark all of Paignton would know of. In modern days, glimpses are only from certain angles.

21/09/2026

A couple of our amazing volunteers, Fay and Oli, have been doing some research and put together this stunning picture of how the old awning on the Southeast-facing side matches up against the current view.

The path leading away from the building looks remarkably flat compared to present day, and sadly, the fountain is long-gone.

20/09/2026

One of our historical experts, Sloths Explorations, assessing one area of the Monastery Woods. What lies below?

16/09/2026

We had the pleasure of welcoming Dave from DJS Images this past weekend, with great enthusiasm we look forward to seeing again once more work has been done.

15/09/2026

It doesn't look like much, but this whole car park area was under 5ft of foliage a week ago, including a literal carpet of soil, growing ten years of brambles, bushes and plants!

As well as to our amazing volunteer team, special thanks on this one to Stuart at Green Finger, for giving their own time, tools and expertise. We really appreciate it.

11/09/2026

Hi All,
We will be at the Monastery tomorrow (Saturday) for gardening and airing the building from 9.30am until mid afternoon. If you can spare some time for deweeding, bush trimming, raking, or just want to take in the atmosphere, please join us.

We have an amount of tools but if you can bring your own, please do (we particularly need an electric strimmer!). Parking available on site.
Thank you All! ❤️

Paignton Monastery, Berry Drive, Paignton TQ3 3RD

07/09/2026

We are starting to see parts of the car park not seen in years! There is so much green but hilly space around the building that getting this amount of flat, useable space back under control is one of our first priorities.

Thank you to everyone that has helped us far. 🙏🏻