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Experience the Agatha Christie Festival in Torquay

Celebrate the life of Agatha Christie with the 2026 Agatha Christie Festival in Torquay, between the 12th - 20th September 2026. The Agatha Christie Festival in Torquay is a chance to get involved in literary themed events centered around her life and work, from murder mystery afternoon tea's, to exhibitions, talks and music events.

Scroll down this page to view this year's events, and full details of the Agatha Christie Festival programme and fringe events are also available on the Festival website, www.iacf-uk.org or follow the Festival on Twitter and Facebook (@AgathaFestival).

What is the Agatha Christie Festival?

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 15th September with more fun and literary events than you can shake a smoking gun at.

Discover Agatha Christie's Life and Legacy in Torquay

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. She wrote her first crime novels while living in the resort and indeed the area features in no less than 15 of her novels.

Follow the Agatha Christie Mile and Literary Trail

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 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, 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.

Plan Your Trip to the Agatha Christie Festival

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!

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Agatha's English Riviera

Featured

Agatha Christie

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.
Agatha Christie Breaks

Experience Agatha Christie’s English Riviera and stay in one of the properties that she frequented and inspired her to write her novels.
Agatha Christie Things To Do

Experience Agatha Christie’s English Riviera and use our guide to discover the attractions, activities and events that have an authentic Agatha Christie connection.
Agatha Christie Places To See

Experience Agatha Christie’s Devon and use our guide to discover the places that have an authentic Agatha Christie connection.
Greenway House

Agatha Christie described her beloved holiday home Greenway as “the loveliest place in the world”.
Agatha Christie Literary Trail

Torquay is the birthplace of the famous crime writer and novelist Dame Agatha Christie.
Agatha Christie Mile

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.
Explore The English Riviera

The English Riviera is an ideal base for exploring the beautiful coast and countryside of South Devon including Torbay, Torquay, Paignton and Brixham.

Agatha Christie Festival Events

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Dates

From:

12 Sept 2026to20 Sept 2026

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11 Sept 2027to19 Sept 2027

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9 Sept 2028to17 Sept 2028

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8 Sept 2029to16 Sept 2029

The Agatha Christie Festival

Address

Torre Abbey, The Kings Drive, Torquay, Devon, TQ2 5JE

Telephone
01803 293593

info@iacf-uk.org

Torquay

Dates

From:

12 Sept 2026to20 Sept 2026

From:

11 Sept 2027to19 Sept 2027

From:

9 Sept 2028to17 Sept 2028

From:

8 Sept 2029to16 Sept 2029

The programme can be viewed by carrying out a diary search via www.englishriviera.co.uk/whats-on and on The Agatha Christie Festival website www.iacf-uk.org
Agatha Christie is Torquay's most well-known resident and the best selling author of all…

Type

Type:

Festival

More Details

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Web Site
Dates

From:

14 Sept 2026to19 Sept 2026

The Mirror Crack'd

Address

Little Theatre, St Marks Road, Torquay, Devon, TQ1 2EL

Telephone
01803 299330

Torquay

Dates

From:

14 Sept 2026to19 Sept 2026

THIS EVENT IS PART OF THE AGATHA CHRISTIE FRINGE FESTIVAL
MYSTERY/THRILLER
The inhabitants of St Mary Mead are thrown into a frenzy when a glamorous fi lm star buys the Manor House, but a vicious murder changes the mood rapidly. Jane Marple,…

Type

Type:

Murder Mystery

More Details

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Web Site
Dates

From:
15 Sept 2026
From:
15 Sept 2026
From:
16 Sept 2026
From:
16 Sept 2026

Agatha Christie Cave Cinema

Address

Kents Cavern Prehistoric Caves, Ilsham Road, Wellswood, Torquay, Devon, TQ1 2JF

Telephone
01803 215136

caves@kents-cavern.co.uk

Wellswood, Torquay

Dates

From:
15 Sept 2026
From:
15 Sept 2026
From:
16 Sept 2026
From:
16 Sept 2026

Experience an unforgettable evening at Kents Cavern’s Agatha Christie Cave Cinema, where classic films inspired by the Queen of Crime are screened in the unique setting of this prehistoric cave. Surrounded by ancient rock formations, immerse…

Type

Type:

Cinema & Film

More Details

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Web Site
Dates

From:
17 Sept 2026

The Murder of Roger Ackroyd – The Centenary of a Masterpiece

Address

The Spanish Barn, Torre Abbey, The Kings Drive, Torquay, Devon, TQ2 5JE

info@iacf-uk.org

The Kings Drive, Torquay

Dates

From:
17 Sept 2026

Our celebration of the 100-year legacy of The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, continues with a talk by good friend of the Festival, David Morris. In a richly illustrated talk, David, of CollectingChristie.com, traces the novel's extraordinary journey from…

Type

Type:

Talk or Lecture

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Web Site
Dates

From:
17 Sept 2026

The Mysterious Case of Roger Styles

Address

The Spanish Barn, Torre Abbey, The Kings Drive, Torquay, Devon, TQ2 5JE

info@iacf-uk.org

The Kings Drive, Torquay

Dates

From:
17 Sept 2026

Our Roger Ackroyd celebration continues with a fascinating talk by the ever-popular Gray Robert Brown, one half of the hit podcast, The Swinging Christies.
WHO IS ROGER STYLES? The most notorious spy of the twentieth century is on the run. He has…

Type

Type:

Talk or Lecture

More Details

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Web Site
Dates

From:
17 Sept 2026

Agatha Christie and Roger Ackroyd: The Ultimate Murder Game

Address

The Spanish Barn, Torre Abbey, The Kings Drive, Torquay, Devon, TQ2 5JE

info@iacf-uk.org

The Kings Drive, Torquay

Dates

From:
17 Sept 2026

Opening our Roger Ackroyd Day is, fittingly, renowned and respected Christie expert, Dr John Curran.
If Agatha Christie had never written another word after The Murder of Roger Ackroyd she would still be remembered and admired today. John Curran…

Type

Type:

Talk or Lecture

More Details

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Web Site
Dates

From:
18 Sept 2026

Christie in Metal and Paper: Numismatic and Philatelic Commemorations of the Queen of Crime

Address

Torre Abbey, The Kings Drive, Torquay, Devon, TQ2 5JE

info@iacf-uk.org

Torquay

Dates

From:
18 Sept 2026

Jeff Rock is a staunch supporter of the Festival so we are thrilled that he has kindly agreed to give a talk for us this year.
The talk takes a look at the coins, tokens, medals, paper money, and stamps issued to honour Agatha Christie, mostly in…

Type

Type:

Talk or Lecture

More Details

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Web Site
Dates

From:
15 Sept 2026

Solve-Along-A-Murder-She-Wrote

Address

Palace Theatre, Palace Avenue, Paignton, Devon, TQ3 3HF

Telephone
01803 522011

Paignton

Dates

From:
15 Sept 2026

Cult hit event Solve-Along-A-Murder-She-Wrote returns to Torquay with an interactive screening of the classic Murder, She Wrote episode “Paint Me a Murder”. Jessica Fletcher visits an artist friend on a remote island hideaway, but soon there’s a…

Type

Type:

Festival

More Details

Visit Website

Web Site
Dates

From:

5 Sept 2026to20 Sept 2026

Little Miss Marple and Mr Poirot Treasure Hunt

Address

The Strand, Torquay, Devon, TQ1 2AA

Torquay

Dates

From:

5 Sept 2026to20 Sept 2026

A Little Miss Marple and Mr Poirot Treasure Hunt is taking place around Torquay Harbour from Saturday 5 September until Sunday 20 September. Find all of the characters in shop windows, solve the puzzle and win an exclusive badge. Free quiz sheets…

Type

Type:

Free

More Details

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Web Site

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Experience the Agatha Christie Festival in Torquay

What is the Agatha Christie Festival?

Discover Agatha Christie's Life and Legacy in Torquay

Follow the Agatha Christie Mile and Literary Trail

Plan Your Trip to the Agatha Christie Festival

Featured

Agatha Christie Festival Events

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