Overview

Oldway Mansion was built for Issac Singer, founder of the Singer Sewing Machine Company. There is free admission to the gardens, which are beautifully laid out in an Italian style. There are steps and terraces but there are step free routes, although this is not signposted. The house is closed to the public. It's very ornate. It was remodelled by Paris, Issac's son, in the style of the Palace of Versailles. Sadly it is on the Victorian Society's 2018 Top 10 Endangered Buildings List.

Transport & Parking

Paignton is the nearest railway. However there are buses that stop on the main road near the entrance to the gardens. There is also public car parking including disabled bays.

Access

There are a couple of entrances for a step free route I would follow the signposts and approach by the road leading to the car park. This is on a slight upward hill and passes the bowling club and tennis courts. This brings you directly to the house. From the car park area there is level access to some of the gardens, with flower beds. There are steps without a handrail leading to an upper terrace. For a step free route return to the car park. To the right of the house is the Rotunda, between the two buildings is a wall with an arch way (see my photo). Go through the archway and follow the path upwards and round to the left and this will bring you to the side of the other side of the house and the upper terrace. When I arrived I used the grotto garden entrance, next to the petrol station on the main road. I immediately had a flight of stairs to climb. The grotto area is nice with a lake. I'm not sure if there is a step free way to the grotto as while I walked around I came to a number of stairs and steps, often without hand rails. The garden contains many sub-tropical plants and shrubs. In the area surrounding the house there are plenty of benches.

Toilets

I didn't notice any toilets in the gardens.

Staff

I didn't see any staff while I was there. The gardens are beautifully maintained.

Anything else you wish to tell us?

The gardens are delightful and peaceful. I would be very happy to return.

Photos