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Enjoy an Agatha Christie-themed tour of Torquay, with visits to several locations with fascinating links to the Queen of Crime

Torquay is a destination that brings to mind images of seaside promenades, palm trees, beautiful beaches, and grand Italianate villas on the hills overlooking Tor Bay.

However, there's more to this resort town than meets the eye… this is where the most famous mystery writer in literary history, the incomparable Agatha Christie, was born and raised. The town and its many landmarks and historic buildings provided inspiration for some of Christie's best-loved books.

This tailor-made tour will immerse you in the life and times of the Queen of crime fiction. You'll be joined by historian and writer Lucy Worsley at Burgh Island, which inspired the settings for both And Then There Were None and the Poirot mystery Evil Under the Sun. Here Lucy will give a talk and Q&A and sign copies of her new book**, "Agatha Christie: A Very Elusive Woman"

You can trace the literary heroine's steps along the "Agatha Christie Mile" where you'll be able to visit the UK's only dedicated Agatha Christie gallery. You'll also visit Cockington Court, where Agatha regularly visited the Mallock family in her younger years and even participated in some theatrical events.

You'll even get a chance to participate in a Murder Mystery dinner, so you can play detective yourself!

Even your hotel is a significant location in the life of Agatha Christie. You'll be based at the Grand Hotel in Torquay, where she stayed on her wedding night with her husband Archie. Here you can enjoy the striking Victorian architecture, elegant interiors and fantastic seafront location with views across the English Riviera.

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Tour Highlights

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Your expert guides

Lucy Worsley OBE
Historian, author, TV presenter and curator

With a first-class honours degree in Ancient and Modern History from Oxford University and PhD in Art History from the University of Sussex, Lucy Worsley OBE is one of Britain's leading historians. Worsley is chief curator at Historic Royal Palaces and is well known for presenting historical BBC Television series, including the BAFTA winning, Suffragettes with Lucy Worsley (2018), Royal History's Biggest Fibs (2020), Lucy Worsley: Mozart's London Odyssey (2016) and British History's Biggest Fibs with Lucy Worsley (2017) - which debunked historical views of the Wars of the Roses, the Glorious Revolution and the British occupation of India. Lucy has also written a number of books, including a series of historical children's novels, biographies of Jane Austen and Agatha Christie as well as books on the history of the home and the Georgian Court, among many others.

Price includes

  • Three nights at The Grand Hotel in Torquay, three breakfasts at the hotel, services of an expert guide
  • Free copy of Lucy Worsley's new book**, A welcome drink, dinner with wine and talk from guide and host, Jane Tapley
  • A fascinating talk, Q&A and book signing with Lucy Worsley
  • Lunch at the Moorland Hotel where Agatha wrote her first book, the Mysterious Affair at Styles
  • A thrilling murder mystery dinner
  • Visit to Cockington Court and Torre Abbey and discover their links to the Queen of Crime
  • Lunch on Burgh Island
  • Visits to several locations with links to Agatha Christie

Availability

From
Sun, Sun, Nov 12, 2023
To
Wed, Wed, Nov 15, 2023
Duration
4 Days
Price per person
£1,199*

* Please note, this price is for Telegraph subscribers only. From price is per person, based on two people sharing a room, subject to availability. Price and itinerary correct at time of print but may be subject to change. Single supplement £125. Deposit 20%. In the case of unforeseen circumstances, expert(s) may be substituted, and any expert-led events may be subject to change. Expert(s) will not join you for your full trip duration unless otherwise stated. **Free book offer for Telegraph subscribers only. Travel insurance should be taken out at time of booking. Images used may not reflect your actual tour experience. This holiday may be sold through other selected brands. Tour is operated by and subject to the booking conditions of Travel Editions Group Ltd, ABTA V3120. To redeem your exclusive subscriber offer, visit www. telegraph.co.uk/tt-extra. Calls are made at local rates. All tours featured are operated by the partner specified, a company wholly independent of Telegraph Media Group Ltd. Please refer to the Data Protection Notice in today's Personal Column or telegraph.co.uk/privacypolicy.

From
Sun, Sun, Nov 12, 2023
To
Wed, Wed, Nov 15, 2023
Duration
4 Days
Price per person
£1,249*

* Please note, this price is for all other readers. From price is per person, based on two people sharing a room, subject to availability. Price and itinerary correct at time of print but may be subject to change. Single supplement £125. Deposit 20%. In the case of unforeseen circumstances, expert(s) may be substituted, and any expert-led events may be subject to change. Expert(s) will not join you for your full trip duration unless otherwise stated. **Free book offer for Telegraph subscribers only. Travel insurance should be taken out at time of booking. Images used may not reflect your actual tour experience. This holiday may be sold through other selected brands. Tour is operated by and subject to the booking conditions of Travel Editions Group Ltd, ABTA V3120. To redeem your exclusive subscriber offer, visit www. telegraph.co.uk/tt-extra. Calls are made at local rates. All tours featured are operated by the partner specified, a company wholly independent of Telegraph Media Group Ltd. Please refer to the Data Protection Notice in today's Personal Column or telegraph.co.uk/privacypolicy.

Call now to book 02039938321
Quote ref: TEL TORQUAY WORSLEY
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Itinerary

  1. Day
    1
    Arrive in Torquay and Greenway
    Torquay, United Kingdom

    Please note that you'll need to arrive at The Grand Hotel no later than 12 noon today. Please get in touch with our reservations team if you'd like to arrange a pre-tour stay (for an additional cost) the night before.

    This afternoon you'll visit Greenway, Agatha's country holiday home she called "the loveliest place in the world", which is full of memorabilia.

    In the evening you will have a welcome reception, private dinner with wine and a talk on Agatha Christie from your expert guide and host, Jane Tapley.

    Meals - Dinner
  2. Day
    2
    Cockington Court and Murder Mystery evening
    Torquay, United Kingdom

    Today you'll visit Cockington Court. Agatha regularly visited the Mallock family in her younger years and even took part in some of their theatrical events. Please note that the coach will park ten minutes' walk from the entrance.

    You'll have lunch at the Moorland Hotel, situated in the heart of the Dartmoor National Park where Agatha wrote her first book.

    This evening, you'll experience a Murder Mystery dinner, "Murder on the Riviera," hosted by Moonstone Theatre Company. Here ace sleuth Jane Rutherford, with your help, will attempt to solve the mystery of the death of Sir Michael Crispin.

    Meals - Breakfast, Dinner
  3. Day
    3
    Torre Abbey and Torquay Museum
    Torquay, United Kingdom

    Today you'll visit Torre Abbey for an 'Agatha Christie Potent Plants' guided tour of the garden; there will also be free time to explore the Abbey Museum.

    This afternoon you'll visit the Torquay Museum, where you can visit the UK's only dedicated Agatha Christie gallery.

    You may like to explore some of the sights on the "Agatha Christie Mile" including your hotel, where Agatha spent her honeymoon night with Archie Christie on Christmas Eve 1914.

    Meals - Breakfast
  4. Day
    4
    Burgh Island Hotel
    Burgh Island,

    Today you'll head to the iconic Burgh Island Hotel, a former haunt of Agatha Christie, Noel Coward and other renowned writers of the 1930s. Built in 1929 and now restored to its 1930s Art Deco glamour, Burgh Island is reached by sea tractor at high tide, or by landrover or on foot when the tide is out.

    Here you will enjoy a talk and Q&A from historian Lucy Worsely. Lucy is an expert in all things Agatha, having just published a book all about the writer, which she will be happy to sign.

    You'll have spare time to explore the island and stroll along its lovely footpaths. You might choose to have a drink in its delightful pub, the Pilchard Inn. Lunch will be served in the Burgh Island Hotel dining room, with wine included.

    You'll return to your hotel in Torquay in the late afternoon.

    Meals - Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation

The Grand Hotel

0
Torquay, United Kingdom

On the seafront just above Corbyn beach, this iconic hotel is an elegant landmark in Torquay.

Where Agatha Christie spent her honeymoon night, The Grand Hotel has been a Torquay landmark for more than a century and has superb bay sea views overlooking The UNESCO English Riviera. Aptly named, the hotel exudes period character and has a bar, restaurant and comfortable, classic bedrooms with modern amenities.

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Availability

From
Sun, Sun, Nov 12, 2023
To
Wed, Wed, Nov 15, 2023
Duration
4 Days
Price per person
£1,199*

* Please note, this price is for Telegraph subscribers only. From price is per person, based on two people sharing a room, subject to availability. Price and itinerary correct at time of print but may be subject to change. Single supplement £125. Deposit 20%. In the case of unforeseen circumstances, expert(s) may be substituted, and any expert-led events may be subject to change. Expert(s) will not join you for your full trip duration unless otherwise stated. **Free book offer for Telegraph subscribers only. Travel insurance should be taken out at time of booking. Images used may not reflect your actual tour experience. This holiday may be sold through other selected brands. Tour is operated by and subject to the booking conditions of Travel Editions Group Ltd, ABTA V3120. To redeem your exclusive subscriber offer, visit www. telegraph.co.uk/tt-extra. Calls are made at local rates. All tours featured are operated by the partner specified, a company wholly independent of Telegraph Media Group Ltd. Please refer to the Data Protection Notice in today's Personal Column or telegraph.co.uk/privacypolicy.

From
Sun, Sun, Nov 12, 2023
To
Wed, Wed, Nov 15, 2023
Duration
4 Days
Price per person
£1,249*

* Please note, this price is for all other readers. From price is per person, based on two people sharing a room, subject to availability. Price and itinerary correct at time of print but may be subject to change. Single supplement £125. Deposit 20%. In the case of unforeseen circumstances, expert(s) may be substituted, and any expert-led events may be subject to change. Expert(s) will not join you for your full trip duration unless otherwise stated. **Free book offer for Telegraph subscribers only. Travel insurance should be taken out at time of booking. Images used may not reflect your actual tour experience. This holiday may be sold through other selected brands. Tour is operated by and subject to the booking conditions of Travel Editions Group Ltd, ABTA V3120. To redeem your exclusive subscriber offer, visit www. telegraph.co.uk/tt-extra. Calls are made at local rates. All tours featured are operated by the partner specified, a company wholly independent of Telegraph Media Group Ltd. Please refer to the Data Protection Notice in today's Personal Column or telegraph.co.uk/privacypolicy.

Call now to book 02039938321
Quote ref: TEL TORQUAY WORSLEY