I’m a huge Agatha Christie fan. There I’ve said it. I’m obviously not alone but sadly it is not a passion/obsession shared by my family. So when it comes to indulging my fandom I’m on my own. And what better way to do so  than during the Agatha Christie Festival Week. A couple of days on the English Rivera. Torquay. The place of her birth and for the last thirty years the hosts of the Festival. If I was really going to immerse myself I’d  be staying on Burgh Island but that will have to remain on the bucket list until my next significant birthday. 

I’m now over two years into my 7th  decade. After completing a 60 for 60 during my 60th year and once I’d blown out a significant amount of candles I started to think about the next stage of my life. My seventh decade. A decade of change. The end of full time employment, my children flying the nest (hopefully), a house move and more time to pursue my interests and passions. I started noting down a ‘70 for 70’ wish/bucket list. 70 experiences to complete in my 7th decade. Which is where Agatha Christie came in. Of course, I hadn’t factored in a global pandemic so I’m a little behind and need to get up to speed.

The Grand Hotel

The Grand Hotel is where Agatha Christie spent her honeymoon night before her husband, Archie, went to serve in the Great War. I stayed there back in 2006 but it was a working trip. RCM Conference week.

Returning there I vaguely remember the bar but hotel rooms are a much of a muchness. I had indulged financially for my two nights in Torquay so it was disappointing that the level of service fell well below what my bank account expected. On arrival I got a note explaining the double whammy of Brexit and the pandemic in getting staff and to be patient. But I didn’t expect getting a drink in the bar so difficult. On one occasion it proved impossible.

Despite this disappointment it was a great base to enjoy Torquay and my Agatha Christie experiences.

English Riviera Wheel

Not an Agatha Christie attraction as it only arrived shortly after the 2012 Olympic’s straight from the Olympic Park. But still worth a turn or two just for the excellent views across Torquay and the harbour. Although it is apparently not something to be enjoyed if you are scared of heights. The only downside for me was getting a concession ticket without asking for one. 

Torre Abbey

Torre Abbey is where Agatha Christie would have attended social functions. It currently hosts an exhibition which has an interesting collection of photos, notebooks, first editions. 

The gardens are beautiful. All the better in the weather that I was being blessed with.

There is a section of the garden devoted to the plants that killed many of the victims in her novels. Albeit less toxic versions. It includes a horticultural ‘whodunnit’ to be solved. I got two of the four correct which was a little disappointing. I need to up my game.

The Palm House contains a large collection of tropical and sub-tropical plants many of which have been donated by Kew Gardens. It is an impressive display.

The Agatha Christie Mile

This is a route that takes you pass the 8 commemorative Agatha Christie plaques. It starts at her statue and ends at The Grand Hotel. It is actually longer than a mile. Our tour guide claimed we would be walking for 3 miles but my watch came in a 3 kms.
Agatha Christie was born in Torquay, grew up, married and returned many times. It features in many of her novels and short stories. The tour is a history of her young life but also that of Torquay. Like a lot of seaside towns it feels a little tired with many magnificent buildings being lost in the name of progress.

We walked to Beacon Cove, the beach where she spent much of her time and nearly drowned. To Princess Pier where she rollerskated as a young woman, then to Torre Abbey and The Grand. It is a walk you can do independently but having a tour guide brought a richness that I loved. Plus you get a copy of the tour guide’s book.

Oldway Mansion

I finished off my Agatha Christie experience with an evening of ghost stories at Oldway Mansion. Agatha use to come dancing at this magnificent building but it has long been abandoned. It is only recently that a group has formed ‘the friends’ to revive its fortunes. 

The ghost stories come from M.R. James book published in 1904 ‘Ghost Stories of an Antiquary’. Fairly tame by today’s standards but professionally presented by a theatre company. It was quite atmospheric. I enjoyed it. But I’m fairly confident that my husband would have moaned about it well into the future.  All the more reason to enjoy such experiences as a solo traveller.

The Beach

My final morning was spent sitting by the beach. I even went for a paddle. I hadn’t considered bringing my costume as I hadn’t expected such glorious weather. It was an amazing two days. A chance to indulge a passion and spend time on my own to reflect and look forward to future opportunities. I will be returning next year but maybe not to The Grand.