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Agatha Christie Literary Trail
Writers on the Riviera

Take a literary tour around the English Riviera and uncover the places and stories of the greatest writers of all time, who, for the past 200 years, have flocked to the English Riviera.
England's Seafood Coast - Walk

Discover Torbay on foot and England's Seafood Coast

Beyond the wilds and beauty of Torbay’s iconic coastline lies a vibrant arts and culture scene of unique museums, diverse theatres and creative festivals.

For history and art explorers, there are three distinct museums across the Bay. Torre Abbey is an 800-year-old museum of history, art and performance housed in an Ancient Scheduled Monument in Torquay. Voted large Visitor Attraction of the Year (South Devon and English Riviera Tourism Awards 2017), the museum offers both a permanent collection of art and displays, alongside a seasonal programme of exhibitions, events and activities from world-class curators, established artists and emerging talent. With free entry for kids and teens every day, the museum is a great place to sample life as a Torbay local. Torquay Museum has 3 floors of exhibitions and displays in 8 galleries, featuring collections from both Devon and the world. The museum houses natural history collections with over 150,000 diverse specimens. Follow the incredible journey made by Torquay's famous explorers, from the Antarctic to Egypt and the Amazon. Discover the life and works of the English Riviera's literary icon, Agatha Christie, with exclusive content, props and furniture. With a Certificate of Excellence (tripadvisor 2015), the museum is a favourite place for families both local and visiting. Brixham Heritage Museum is housed in an old police station, charting the rich history of this thriving town from the Napoleonic Wars to Victorian times, the First and Second World War and the maritime heritage of generations of Brixham Fisherman. With free entry throughout the year, the museum offers a slice of Torbay history, come rain or shine.

For performing arts and theatre lovers, Torbay has eight theatres and venues offering comedy, dance, family shows, music and performances from West End tours to the very best in local contemporary youth theatre and emerging talent delivering compelling shows. Located on Torquay’s’ seafront, the Princess Theatre showcases popular touring musicals, comedy, tribute acts and mainstream theatre; whilst the Little Theatre up on the hillside is home to renowned amateur dramatic and operatic society, TOADS, with classics, comedy and thrillers to delight. Babbacombe Theatre is renowned for wowing audiences with their highly acclaimed family variety shows, performed throughout the year by a professional cast. Known more for its UNESCO Global Geopark status, you might not immediately think of Kents Cavern for performing arts; but this underground cave system plays host to Shakespeare and music in a truly unique setting. With dramatic views from the Downs, Babbacombe Theatre offers the best of traditional English variety shows. Brixham Theatre is a hot bed of local and touring music (especially folk), talks and theatre. In Paignton, you’ll find the oldest working theatre and cinema in the Bay, as well as a new arts and music club. The Palace Theatre is home to nationally recognised arts education company, Doorstep Arts, and offers a huge variety of touring performances from Shakespeare to comedy and music to family shows. Paignton Picture House is one of the most remarkable buildings in Torbay and one of Britain’s most important historic cinemas. A new Trust has set out to restore this venue as a place for arts, cinema, learning and wellbeing. Behind-the-scenes tours and special events are available to book. The Lucky 7 Club is a new live music, cabaret and entertainment venue with a vintage twist. Hidden at the heart of Paignton with advance tickets only, this is a one off experience you’re sure to remember.

Torbay’s other cultural attractions include Cockington Court showcasing Torbay’s artisan makers; Agatha Christie’s holiday home - National Trust’s Greenway; and four libraries in Torquay, Paignton, Churston and Brixham with a wealth of litrature, exhibition programmes and local study materials.

For festival goers, Torbay has a thriving seasonal and rotating programme with the International Agatha Christie Festival, BMAD Motorbike Festival, Brixham Pirate Festival, BrixFest, English Riviera Film Festival, Fishstock, Geopark Festival, , Paignton Festival and Torbay Royal Regatta. These are creative festivals set against the stunning landscape of the English Riviera, making them truly unforgettable experiences.

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CANCELLED - Picking up the Pieces - Cockington Court

Torquay

Portrait of a Painter will exhibit some of the rarest and most admired paintings by famous and controversial artist Robert Lenkiewicz.
The Kitchen Gallery will host Robert’s stunning artwork from 13 September until 14 October.
The Court is…
CANCELLED - Celebrating Local Creative Talent

Babbacombe

Join us at The Cavendish, Babbacombe, for our 2020 Popup Art Exhibition, which brings together an eclectic mix of
artistic talent as part of a celebration of the English Riviera.
Enjoy a relaxed, sociable atmosphere with a range of local
creative…
POSTPONED - William Froude: Torquay's Victorian Visionary

Torquay

What did William Froude unleash in his building of the world's first wave machine and testing tank in Torquay 150 years ago? This will be a sonic exploration, mixing fact, history, myth and imagination from local musicians Hugh Nankivell and Steve…
POSTPONED - Mayflower 2

Torquay

In the 1950s Upham's shipyard in Brixham built their most remarkable ship - a detailed and accurate reproduction of the Mayflower, which then voyaged under sail to America. The project was complicated by there being virtually no records of the…
POSTPONED - Bonhomme for Families - Messy, Fun, & thought-Provoking

Torquay

Bonhomme' is an interactive family show built with mud and powered by thoughts, using the ancient Golem myth for inspiration. It will leave you with dirty hands and a wondering mind, and is followed by a free clay-making workshop.
Based in a…
POSTPONED - Principles Of Garden Making

Torquay

PRINCIPLES OF GARDEN MAKING
Date: 7 April 2020
Torquay Museum Society Lecture
By Jacquie Felix-Mitchell
10.45am - 12 Noon
An exploration of the time that Keats spent in Teignmouth in 1818, with reference to his letters, poetry and the rumours…
POSTPONED - Early Photography & Plymouth Part 2. Portraits & Otherwise

Torquay

EARLY PHOTOGRAPHY AND PLYMOUTH PART TWO. PORTRAITS AND OTHERWISE
Date: 8 April 2020
Torquay Museum Society Lecture
By Nigel Overton
10.45am - 12 Noon
A look at the growth and output of the Victorian studio photographer, between c.1860 and c.1880.…
POSTPONED - Classic Film Club: All About Eve

Torquay

LASSIC FILM CLUB: ALL ABOUT EVE
Date: 9 April 2020
All About Eve (1950)
Critically acclaimed drama starring Bette Davis.
2pm
£4 for the film
Every week, at 2pm on a Thursday afternoon, classics such as Doctor Zhivago and Some Like it Hot are…
POSTPONED - Winnaretta Singer: From Paris to Paignton

Torquay

WINNARETTA SINGER: FROM PAIGNTON TO PARIS
Date: 14 April 2020
Torquay Museum Society Lecture
By Chris Nicholls
10.45am - 12 Noon
The extraordinary story of the princess, painter, musician, philanthropist, and close personal friend of many of the…
POSTPONED - Victorian Torquay

Torquay

VICTORIAN TORQUAY
Date: 15 April 2020
Torquay Museum Society Lecture
By John Risdon
10.45am - 12 Noon
An insight into Torquay's extraordinary development during the reign of Victoria and its appeal to the literary spectrum of Society.
Lectures…
Torbay and South West Music Festival – (Verse Speaking Speaking and Drama)

PAIGNTON

Torbay and South West Music Festival – (Verse Speaking Speaking and Drama)
TICKETS information available shortly.
The Palace Theatre is set in the heart of Paignton and is really has a community feel to it. The Theatre is proud to work with local…
The Art of Selling Songs: Music Graphics from the V&A

Torquay

The Art of Selling Songs: Music Graphics from the V&A
From paint strokes to pixels, the Rolling Stones to Blur, this fascinating collection from the V&A will take you on a journey through music.
Featuring 80 iconic objects including album covers,…
UNESCO Geopark Festival

Torbay

The annual English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark Festival is our chance to show how all the Geopark partners work together to share the wonders of our Geopark through an inspiring programme of activities and events.
Further details coming soon.…
Sculpture Trail

Cockington, Torquay

Follow our Art Path and discover sculptures created by local artists placed within the Court site, including the studio areas, Walled Art Garden and Manor House. A supporting exhibition takes place alongside in the Kitchen Gallery.
The trail is an…
Greenway Literary Festival - Greenway House

Brixham

Greenway Literary Festival is back for it's second year with more inspiring writers, talks and events.
Booking not needed
Free event
10:30 - 17:00
Journeys: Mayflower 400 - Torre Abbey

Torquay

Suitable for all ages
Entry to this event is included with normal admission
Journeys: Mayflower 400
The Tamar Valley Printmakers (UK) and the Cape Cod Printmakers (USA) are presenting a new body of artistic work inspired by the journey taken by the…
England's Seafood FEAST

England’s Seafood FEAST
England’s Seafood Coast will play host to a feast for all the senses between 18th September and 4th October 2020. For 2 weeks you will be able to immerse yourself in England’s Seafood FEAST (view the programme here), eating…

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