Great British Heritage
Agatha Christie English Riviera
Follow in the footsteps of the Queen of Crime on this Agatha Christie tour of the English Riviera. Based at Torquay’s Grand Hotel, where Christie spent her honeymoon night with Archie Christie, the tour explores the places most closely connected with her life and work.
Literary expert Jane Tapley brings Christie’s story to life during a guided tour of Torquay’s Agatha Christie Mile and a visit to Greenway, her much-loved country holiday home. A private talk and murder mystery dinner add to the atmosphere, before a memorable final day at the Art Deco Burgh Island Hotel, including time to explore the island and lunch with wine.
what’s included
At A Glance
Meet Your Expert Guide
Jane Tapley
Jane has led literary tours for Travel Editions for many years, bringing to life the worlds of Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, Shakespeare and Agatha Christie. A Blue Badge Guide, her knowledge of these writers and the places connected with them is second to none.
For forty years Jane was Special Events Organiser at the Theatre Royal Bath, regularly interviewing authors and working at the heart of British theatrical life. Her enthusiasm is much praised by travellers, and she often brings an added theatrical flourish to her tours through specially arranged dramatic performances.
itinerary & excursions
Your Itinerary
Explore this incredible tour in detail and discover what makes each day so special. Below, you’ll find a full day-by-day breakdown of your journey, from the moment you arrive to your final farewell. Learn more about the highlights you’ll experience, the unforgettable places you’ll visit, and the unique moments that bring each destination to life.
Day 1: Arrive Torquay
Arrive independently at The Grand Hotel, Torquay from 15.00.
This evening there will be a welcome reception, private dinner with wine and a talk, ‘Agatha Christie – Queen of Crime’ from Jane Tapley.
Day 2: Torquay, Greenway & Murder Mystery Evening
A guided tour this morning of Torquay with Jane Tapley, who will show you some of the sights on the “Agatha Christie Mile”, including our hotel, where Agatha spent her honeymoon night with Archie Christie on Christmas Eve 1914, the Princess Gardens, the Princess Pier and ending at Torre Abbey. Then it’s off to Greenway, her country holiday home she called “the loveliest place in the world”, which is full of memorabilia.
This evening, there will be a Murder Mystery dinner “Murder on the Riviera,” hosted by Moonstone Theatre Company, in which ace sleuth Jane Rutherford, with your help, attempts to solve the mystery of the death of Sir Michael Crispin.
Day 3: Burgh Island Hotel
A lovely day in prospect as we head to the iconic Burgh Island Hotel, a former haunt of Agatha Christie, Noel Coward and other luminaries of the 1930s. Built in 1929 and restored to its 1930s Art Deco glamour, Burgh Island is reached by sea tractor at high tide or by Land Rover or on foot when the tide is out.
Time will be allowed to explore the island, which has lovely footpaths, the hotel itself and its delightful pub, the Pilchard Inn, for a pre-lunch drink. A three-course lunch (including a delicious roast beef main course) will be served in the hotel dining room with wine included. Return to the hotel in Torquay for approximately 17.00, where the tour will end.
our guests say
Recent reviews
“A visit to the iconic Burgh Island Hotel was a real highlight of the tour and perfectly captured the atmosphere of the Agatha Christie experience.”
Mrs H, travelled May 2026
“The murder mystery dinner was such fun, our team was hooked by every red herring and we went down every rabbit hole possible, but laughed lots. The sea tractor to Burgh Island was an unmissable experience too.”
Mr & Mrs G, travelled March 2026
“Burgh Island was a real highlight, and the tour was made even better by an absolutely first-class lecturer and tour manager throughout.”
Mrs B, travelled March 2026
“The murder mystery evening, along with visits to Greenway and Burgh Island, were all highlights of the trip, making for a thoroughly enjoyable and memorable experience.”
Mrs R, March 2026
“This was a thoroughly delightful tour, filled with fascinating insights into Agatha Christie’s world. The murder mystery event was such fun, and our visit to Burgh Island was simply wonderful. Everything was perfectly organised, and the company most enjoyable.”
Mrs Q, September 2025
“This trip to Burgh Island was an absolute highlight, a true Art Deco paradise! The whole holiday was beautifully arranged, and our tour leader, Jane, was excellent: knowledgeable, attentive and always cheerful. A first-class experience in every way.”
Mrs M, September 2025
“The visit and lunch at Burgh Island were unforgettable, a real treat for Agatha Christie enthusiasts. The accommodation, excursions and organisation were all excellent, making for a most enjoyable and memorable few days by the sea.”
Mr M, September 2025
Availability
Choose Your Departure
HOTELS
Tour Accommodation
Grand Hotel, Torquay
Where Agatha Christie spent her honeymoon night, the Grand has been a Torquay landmark for more than a century dominating the seafront above Corbyn Beach. Perhaps less grand today than its heyday, it still exudes period atmosphere and has a bar, restaurant, gym, spa and indoor and outdoor swimming pool (seasonal opening). Bedrooms are somewhat old-fashioned but comfortable with all modern amenities including en-suite bathroom, TV, telephone, wifi, safe, hairdryer and tea/coffee making facilities.
The hotel offers some car parking spaces in the Grand Garage for £10 per car, per night which must be pre-booked direct with the hotel. There is also limited free parking spaces on the public street outside the hotel, but these are available on a first-come first-served basis and cannot be reserved. We recommend that parking is pre-booked either with the hotel, or alternatively at a nearby parking space using a parking app for best availability and rates.
Hotel Website
our regular tours
Mobility Information
This tour has a moderate fitness rating, reflecting a fuller itinerary with a good balance of visits, walking and time spent exploring on foot.
Some visits may involve cobbled streets, uneven paving, slopes, steps, stairs, limited seating, or walking from the coach drop-off point to the entrance of a site or attraction. The exact demands will vary from day to day, and we highlight specific practical details within the itinerary wherever possible.
You should feel comfortable walking at a steady group pace, standing during visits and enjoying a full day of sightseeing.
If you are unsure whether this tour is right for you, please contact us before booking.
Your questions answered
Tour FAQ
If you have a question, we are more than happy to answer it via email or phone, but you may find your answer below more quickly.
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