Agatha Christie

Agatha Christie was born in Torquay and remained on the English Riviera for much of her life, writing her first novel whilst working at the Dispensary in the temporary war hospital at Torquay Town Hall.

She maintained close links with the English Riviera throughout her life, and as a result of her love and extensive knowledge of the area, many of her books were either set locally or inspired by the surrounding Devon scenery.

Agatha’s books have sold more than two billion copies and she remains the most successful female playwright of all time. The experiences, places, and people that she encountered on the English Riviera provided the inspiration for many of the characters and plots she created.

Use our guide to walk in the footsteps of the ‘Queen of Crime’ and discover just how many landmarks on the English Riviera have a connection to Dame Agatha Christie. If you would rather enjoy a guided walking tour of Torquay and the places that Agatha enjoyed, why not join the English Riviera Walking Tours on their ‘Agatha Christie’s Extraordinary Life'. On this tour you will discover Agatha’s childhood home, learn about her involvement in both World Wars and understand the inspiration behind the great Hercule Poirot.

Christened at All Saints Church

Born in September 1890 in Torquay, Agatha was christened as Agatha Mary Clarissa Miller at All Saints Church. The church was built with the money from Agatha’s family and where the Miller family worshipped every Sunday.

All Saints on Bampfylde Road, Torquay, is still in use as a church today and can be visited for Sunday Mass. In fact, the same marble font where Agatha was christened is still used for christenings today!

The Childhood Home ‘Ashfield’

Agatha and her siblings spent an idyllic childhood at their family home, ‘Ashfield’, a large Victorian mansion in Torquay. Ashfield was enjoyed by the Miller family for many years, with a large 2-acre garden including the ‘kitchen garden’ where Agatha would eat home-grown raspberries and the woods which excited her imagination. Ashfield was represented in her novel ‘Postern of Fate’ (1973) as the Laurels at Hollowquay. As an adult in 1940, Agatha reluctantly sold Ashfield, but she always remembered it fondly.

Sadly, Ashfield was demolished in the 1960’s, but today a blue plaque on Barton Road, Torquay marks the spot where the original building once stood.

Torquay Museum and Kents Cavern

Throughout Agatha’s childhood, the Miller family were very engaged in the local community in Torquay. Agatha’s father, Frederick Miller, was a member of Torquay Natural History Society, later to become Torquay Museum and he also helped finance William Pengelly’s excavations at Kents Cavern.

Torquay Museum is now home to Britain’s only Agatha Christie gallery, dedicated to the life of the Queen of Crime. Re-developed in 2013, the new gallery enables visitors to step inside Poirot’s study and lounge. 

Kents Cavern, one of Europe’s top prehistoric Stone Age caves, was in fact the inspiration behind Hampsley Cavern in Agatha’s novel ‘The Man in the Brown Suit’. 

Potent Plants Garden at Torre Abbey  

Given that over half of Christie’s characters were poisoned we are sure that your guests will be intrigued and surprised at the range of beautiful but sinister plants on show here. Group Bookings and Guided Tours of Torre Abbey welcomed.  

Cockington Court

The Mallock family who lived at Cockington Court, were firm friends of Agatha’s and in her early years, Agatha spent many afternoons at Cockington Court and even participated in amateur theatricals there.

Cockington Court is a 17th century manor house set in 460 acres of beautiful country park with a series of hidden lakes. There is also a craft centre with independent retailers producing hand-made goods including jewellery, paintings, chocolate, glassblowing, leather, and ceramics. Enjoy an afternoon tea in the Seven Dials Café in the manor house and watch the world go by.

Social Functions at The Imperial Hotel and The Pavilion

Agatha attended many social functions in Torquay including at The Imperial Hotel and The Pavilion on Torquay harbourside. The Imperial Hotel features in three of Agatha’s novels: it is renamed as The Majestic in the fictional town of St Loo in 'Peril at End House' (1932) and again in the town of Danemouth in 'The Body in the Library' (1942). It appears as The Imperial Hotel in 'Sleeping Murder' (1976). Today, the Imperial Hotel has a plaque dedicated to the Agatha Christie Mile in the lobby. The Victorian four-star hotel overlooks the English Riviera with stunning sea views.

Following a Wagner concert at The Pavilion in 1913, Agatha accepted a proposal of marriage from her first husband, Archie Christie. Opposite The Pavilion, on Palk Street, you can visit the Agatha Christie Bust which was unveiled by Agatha’s daughter, Rosalind Hicks on her centenary.

Inspiration at Torquay Town Hall and Dartmoor

During WW1, Torquay Town Hall was used as a Red Cross Hospital and Agatha worked there as a nursing auxiliary. Later as a qualified nurse, Agatha worked at the Dispensary where she gained her knowledge of poisons. Whilst working at the Dispensary, she began to write her first detective story, ‘The Mysterious Affair at Styles’ (1920) – a poisoning mystery solved by Hercule Poirot. Her character, Poirot, was inspired by the numerous Belgian war refugees who were living in Torquay during the war. Agatha’s mother suggested that if she were to ever finish the novel, she should take her typewriter away on holiday with no distractions. In 1916, Agatha took herself off to Dartmoor to stay at the Moorlands Hotel in Haytor to finish her first novel. The Moorland Hotel, having recently been refurbished, is still available to stay in now.

Honeymooning at The Grand Hotel

In 1914, Archie, now a Captain in the Royal Flying Corps, came home on leave from France. The couple married on Christmas Eve and spent their honeymoon night at The Grand Hotel.

The Grand Hotel is an elegant Victorian hotel, with typical British charm and breath-taking views over the Bay. The hotel now has a bedroom suite named after the legendary author, where guests can stay.

Greenway House and the Church of St Mary the Virgin

After the war, Agatha and Archie moved from Devon to London and began their life as a married couple. In 1928, Agatha and Archie divorced, and Agatha travelled around the world, writing more novels.

Whilst the allure of international travel and family life took Agatha away from her beloved Torquay, she returned often and in 1938 purchased Greenway House near Brixham, an idyllic spot on the banks of the River Dart. Agatha’s holiday retreat and the nearby village of Galmpton feature as Nasse House at Nassecombe in 'Dead Man’s Folly' (1956) whilst the fishing town of Brixham appears as Brixwell. Greenway appears again in 'Five Little Pigs' (1943) as well as 'Towards Zero' (1944) and as Sunny Point House in 'Ordeal by Innocence' (1958).

Now managed by the National Trust, Greenway House offers visitors an extraordinary glimpse into the private life of the Queen of Crime. Greenway is a magical place to explore, with its rich historical interior and the wildness and mystery of its garden.

During her stays at Greenway House, Agatha would attend the Church of St Mary the Virgin in Churston Ferrers and she donated the royalties from a Miss Marple short story, 'Greenshaw’s Folly' to pay for a new stained-glass window for the church which can be seen and admired today.

Experience Agatha Christie’s English Riviera

Considering Agatha Christie's history and strong affinity with the English Riviera, it is no surprise that there is lots to do in the area. Agatha fans travel from all over the world to visit her birthplace and to learn more about the rich heritage and works of our most celebrated resident.

The best way for amateur sleuths to unravel the mystery of Agatha Christie’s life on the English Riviera is to follow the Agatha Christie Mile. This walking route takes you to places that were important to Agatha’s early life and is a picturesque and accessible way of exploring Torquay's seafront. Every September, the annual International Agatha Christie Festival takes place on the English Riviera, celebrating the life of the Queen of Crime

With plenty of Agatha Christie Accommodation to suit all budgets and requirements and lots of Agatha Christie Things To Do, why not choose Torquay, Paignton or Brixham as your base and immerse yourself in the Agatha Christie experience?

With thanks to Matt Newbury and Tor Mark for granting permission to use their book ‘Agatha Christie’s Devon’ to support in the development of this page. If you would like to learn more about Agatha Christie, you can purchase ‘Agatha Christie’s Devon’ online here or from the Visitor Information Centre on Torquay Harbourside. Reprinted by permission of Tor Mark Press © 2020