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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. Full details of the Agatha Christie Festival programme and fringe events are 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:
19 Sept 2026

A Gameshow is Announced!

Address

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

Torquay

Dates

From:
19 Sept 2026

With so many crime and murder mystery experts gathered in Torquay for the Festival, we thought it was time to put their little grey cells to the ultimate test...
Join us for our first ever gameshow evening, a night of sharp minds, quick wits and…

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Dates

From:

12 Sept 2026to20 Sept 2026

Agatha Christie Themed Afternoon Tea

Address

Imperial Hotel, Park Hill Road, Torquay, Devon, TQ1 2DG

Telephone
01803 294301

Torquay

Dates

From:

12 Sept 2026to20 Sept 2026

An Afternoon of Elegance and Intrigue
Themed Afternoon Tea with Agatha Christie Cocktail at The Imperial Hotel, Torquay
Indulge in an afternoon of timeless sophistication with our Agatha Christie-themed Afternoon Tea, inspired by the glamour and…

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Food and Drink

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Dates

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14 Sept 2026
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14 Sept 2026
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15 Sept 2026
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15 Sept 2026
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16 Sept 2026
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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

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14 Sept 2026
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14 Sept 2026
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15 Sept 2026
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15 Sept 2026
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16 Sept 2026
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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…

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Cinema & Film

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23 May 2026
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25 July 2026
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12 Sept 2026
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19 Sept 2026
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7 Nov 2026

Murder Mystery Afternoon Tea: Palace Theatre

Address

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

Telephone
01803 665800

Paignton

Dates

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23 May 2026
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25 July 2026
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12 Sept 2026
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19 Sept 2026
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7 Nov 2026

Murder Mystery Afternoon Tea - An afternoon of treats and intrigue!
Join Moonstone Theatre Company to help them solve a mystery, whilst enjoying a fabulous afternoon tea experience, held in Stage Left.
Tickets include a delicious afternoon tea…

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Type:

Participatory Event

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Dates

From:
18 Sept 2026

The Swinging Christies LIVE: The Pale Caribbean Mirror Crack’d!

Address

Livermead House Hotel, Torbay Road, Torquay, Devon, TQ2 6QJ

Telephone
01803 294361

info@livermead.com

Torquay

Dates

From:
18 Sept 2026

Join Dr Mark Aldridge and Gray Robert Brown (aka Christie Time) for another barnstorming live podcast episode recording! Never mind the Sixties - this time we are rocketing into the electric Eighties and the naughty Nineties! We will be looking at…

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Participatory Event

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Dates

From:
13 Sept 2026

What Agatha Did in the Great War

Address

Torquay Assembly Hall, Lymington Road, Torquay, Devon, TQ1 3DT

Torquay

Dates

From:
13 Sept 2026

This special event offers a rare opportunity to step inside the historic Assembly Rooms at Torquay Town Hall, where Agatha Christie served as a nurse in the Voluntary Aid Detachment for the British Red Cross during the First World War.
The…

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Type:

Festival

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Dates

From:
16 Sept 2026

John Mallowan: Agatha the Photographer

Address

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

info@iacf-uk.org

The Kings Drive, Torquay

Dates

From:
16 Sept 2026

To conclude the opening day of the Literary Festival, we are thrilled to be able to introduce a talk by John Mallowan on one of Agatha Christie’s many, but lesser known, talents: photography.
Agatha was an integral part of her husband Max’s…

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Type:

Talk or Lecture

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Dates

From:
19 Sept 2026

Sally and Tony Hope: Agatha Christie: Plots, Clues and Misdirections

Address

The Spanish Barn, Tore Abbey, The King's Drive, Torquay, Devon, TQ2 5JE

info@iacf-org.uk

The King's Drive , Torquay

Dates

From:
19 Sept 2026

Opening the final day of our Literary Festival we are thrilled to welcome speakers Sally and Tony Hope, who are authors of the fascinating book Agatha Christie: Plots, Clues and Misdirections.These two doctors will examine the exquisite structure…

Type

Type:

Talk or Lecture

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Dates

From:
14 Sept 2026

Tea and Cake at Agatha's Church

Address

Bampfylde Road, Torquay, Devon, TQ2 5AP

Torquay

Dates

From:
14 Sept 2026

Visit All Saints’ Church in Torre where Agatha Christie was baptised.
For this very special morning, join us for coffee/tea and cake and a chance to see the actual marble font where Agatha Mary Clarissa Miller was baptised on Thursday 20 November…

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Participatory Event

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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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