Every September, the English Riviera in Devon becomes a crime scene worth some serious investigation, as we celebrate the birthday of our most famous literary daughter. Each year you can expect a series of events coinciding with her birthday on 15 September with more fun and literary events than you can shake a smoking gun at. The 2024 festival will take place on 7th - 15th September 2024
Full details of the Festival programme and fringe events are available on the Festival website, www.iacf-uk.org or follow the Festival on Twitter and Facebook (@AgathaFestival).
The Queen of Crime was born in Torquay, Devon in 1890 and worked and socialised in this fashionable resort. During the First World War she trained and worked as a nurse in the temporary soldiers’ hospital housed at Torquay Town Hall, then, gaining her useful knowledge of poisons she trained as a pharmacist. She completed the writing of her first novel in 1916 at the Moorlands Hotel near Haytor on the edge of Dartmoor. In 1938 she and her husband Max Mallowan bought the estate of Greenway near Kingswear. This National Trust property makes a fascinating place to visit. The perfect way of arriving is to take the Dartmouth Steam Railway from Paignton to Greenway Halt, just like Poirot did in the ABC Murders. She wrote her first crime novels while living in the resort and indeed the area features in no less than 15 of her novels.
If you'd like to investigate these local connections more, why not follow the Agatha Christie Mile? Pick up a leaflet from the Visitor Information Centre and prepare to drift back into the style and opulence of the Jazz Age, as you retrace the steps of the world’s best-selling author along Torquay’s seafront. Starting at either the Imperial Hotel (which features in several novels) or the Grand Hotel (where she spent the first night of her honeymoon), the Agatha Christie Literary Trail takes you to some of the places that were inspirational in her life and works, with seven unique plaques to find along the way. You’ll also see the Agatha Christie Bust, created to commemorate her centenary year in 1990.
Another stop along the route is Torquay Museum, which is home to the world's only dedicated Agatha Christie Gallery. You can step into Poirot's study and lounge, with furniture and props from the ITV series. There are also costumes worn by David Suchet, as well as by Joan Hickson when she played Miss Marple. You can also view a collection of Agatha Christie's personal effects, including handwritten notes and items of clothing. It's a fascinating visit during the festival or indeed any other time of the year.
Add the Agatha Christie Potent Plants Garden at Torre Abbey Museum to your itinerary. The Abbey’s head gardener dug deep into the murky world of poisons, antidotes and remedies in Agatha Christie’s novels and created a garden featuring a variety of interesting plants that may cure or kill, depending on one’s motives. Of course, it’s not really dangerous - less potent garden cultivars were planted and the garden is designed to entertain - not provide murderous opportunities!
Torre Abbey Museum is also the home of the annual International Agatha Christie Festival which celebrates Agatha Christie and her astonishingly rich and diverse legacy. The Festival includes a series of literary talks, fascinating exhibitions, workshops, performances, a murder mystery escape room, film screenings, guided walks, a vintage swim and a period garden party. Elsewhere across the Bay you will also find a variety of murder mystery events taking place, as well as theatre productions and other Christie-themed fun.
A unique bronze bust statue of Agatha Christie, created by Dutch sculptor Carol Van Den Boom-Cairns, is located on Palk Street, on the Agatha Christie Literary Trail, and close to the beautiful Edwardian Pavilion where her first husband Archie Christie proposed to her following a Wagner concert.
If you are looking to attend the International Agatha Christie Festival, or simply to visit the English Riviera to enjoy its many connections with the world's best-selling author, be sure to book your accommodation early or check out our Agatha Christie Breaks page, featuring some of Agatha Christies best loved places to stay. As you can imagine, it attracts thousands of day and overnight visitors to the resort and surrounding areas.
With this part of Devon so well-known for Agatha Christie, Christie-related events also take place throughout the year, so keep an eye on our What's On section to stay up-to date!
Dame Agatha Christie, known throughout the world as the ‘Queen of Crime’, is a literary genius, was born in Torquay and remained on the English Riviera for much of her life.
Experience Agatha Christie’s English Riviera and use our guide to discover the attractions, activities and events that have an authentic Agatha Christie connection.
The best way for amateur sleuths to unravel the mystery of Agatha Christie’s life in Torquay, is to follow what is known as the ‘Agatha Christie Mile.’ You can pick up a printed leaflet from the Visitor Information Centre.
Torre Abbey, The Kings Drive, Torquay, Devon, TQ2 5JE
Telephone
01803 293593
Type
Type:
Event
Torquay
Dates
From:
14 Sept 2024Open 19:00 - 21:00
For our main Saturday evening event, we are hosting an evening drinks party in the stunning walled gardens at Torre Abbey. There will be a welcome glass of Pol Roger Champagne (or a sparking non-alcoholic alternative), live jazz music and a mystery…
Amateur sleuths are invited to join us for a unique murder mystery experience aboard the very train that Poirot rode in both the ABC Murders and Dead Man’s Folly.
Following a drinks reception on the station at Paignton, the Dartmouth Steam Railway…
Caroline Derry’s talk will explore how Agatha Christie represented lesbians in her post-war novels, and the insights they offer into the criminal justice system’s attitudes to lesbianism.
Several Agatha Christie novels depict lesbian relationships.…