Torbay Agatha Christie Trail / Walk

(Brixham / Paignton / Torquay - Torbay, Devon, England, UK)

World-famous crime writer and novelist Dame Agatha Christie has always enjoyed close links with Torbay, since she was actually born in Torquay in 1890 and lived here for much of her life. As a result of her love of Torbay and extensive knowledge of the area, many of her books were either set locally, such as 'And Then There Were None', or inspired by the surrounding Devon scenery.

To celebrate the region's rich Agatha Christie heritage, Torbay has devised its very own walking trail, where you pass various related sights and literally trace the footsteps of this legendary 'Queen of Crime'. Along the way collect clues, allowing you to solve your own mystery at the end and spell out one of Dame Agatha's most loved characters.

Information and Landmarks

In 1914, the Torquay Town Hall was transformed into a Red Cross hospital and Agatha started work here, shortly after qualifying as a nurse.

The following year she was transferred to the Dispensary, where she worked for two years and gained much of her authoritative knowledge about poisons. During quiet times at the Dispensary, she actually began writing her very first detective story 'The Mysterious Affair at Styles', featuring Hercule Poirot.

Agatha Christie purchased Greenway House, near Brixham, in 1938 and lived here with her husband , eventually dying at Greenway 1976. This important landmark features on the trail, together with:

• All Saints Church in Torre, Torquay - where Agatha was baptised
• Beacon Cove - a favourite spot where she nearly drowned as a child, being rescued by a passing boatman
• Burgh Island - close to the seaside village of Bigbury on Sea, widely acknowledged as providing the inspiration behind both novels 'Evil Under the Sun' and 'And Then There Were None', and also used as an actual location in a number of Agatha Christie movies
• Cockington Court - where as a child, Agatha was encouraged to join in amateur dramatics events
• Commemorative Bust - displayed in the public gardens next to Torquay Harbour and unveiled in 1990, by her daughter Rosalind Hicks
• Elberry Cove at Broadsands - which made an appearance in 'The ABC Murders'
• Grand Hotel, Torquay - the actual hotel where Agatha Christie and her first husband Archibald Christie spent their honeymoon, after marrying in 1914, on Christmas Eve
• Imperial Hotel, Torquay - a venue for frequent social functions, later featured in her novels 'Peril at End House' and 'Sleeping Murder'
• Kents Cavern, Torquay - the inspiration for her mystery novel 'The Man in the Brown Suit'. Of interest, Agatha's father actually helped to finance the excavations of these caves.
• Meadfoot Beach - a beach where Agatha Christie regularly came for a swim
• Oldway Mansion - known to be a venue where Agatha attended various social occasions and dances
• Princess Pier, Torquay - another childhood haunt, where as a young girl, Agatha regularly roller skated. There is actually a photograph of her roller skating on this very spot displayed at Torquay Museum
• St. Marychurch Clifftops - the setting for the story 'Why Didn't They Ask Evans'
• The Pavilion, Torquay - a popular Victorian concert hall where the Dame enjoyed live music and entertainment
• Torquay Museum - home to various personal exhibits and much family memorabilia, forming part of the Agatha Christie Centenary Exhibition

The actual Agatha Christie Trail brochure is available free of charge from the English Riviera Tourist Board / Tourist Information Centre at Paignton.