Torquay

Agatha Christie was born in Torquay and lived here for much of her life. The most famous, best-selling crime writer of all time, Dame Agatha Christie was born in Torquay and lived here for much of her life. Follow in Agatha’s footsteps by taking the Agatha Christie Mile, a free sightseeing walking trail around Torquay, that takes you to 12 of the key places that the author visited and enjoyed. Drift back into the style and opulence of the Jazz Age by starting your trail at the Imperial Hotel, where Agatha regularly attended social events or the Grand Hotel, where she spent her honeymoon night with her first husband, Archie. Look out for the 7 unique plaques along the way and discover more about Torquay’s most famous resident and the places that were inspirational in her life and work. The Agatha Christie Literary Trail takes you to the places across the English Riviera and South Devon that inspired the fictional locations that appear in the author’s popular murder mystery stories. Be inspired by our list of things to do with an Agatha Christie theme. Our award-winning visitor attractions and places of interest include the author’s idyllic holiday home, Greenway at nearby Galmpton and Kingwear, described as the ‘loveliest place in the world’.

Our breath-taking landscape has been designated UNESCO Global Geopark status, one of only 9 in the UK and 140 in the world. The dramatic scenery, exceptional coastline, unique rocks and rich cultural heritage are of significant geological importance. When you visit the English Riviera, you’ll see fine examples of the red rocks, cliffs and pale red sand which were formed some 270 million years ago and the grey and pink limestone rocks from the Devonian period, an impressive 400 million years ago! Find out how our stunning landscape evolved through the Devonian, Carboniferous, Permian and Quaternary periods

A gateway site to the UNESCO Global Geopark, this award-winning visitor attraction contains a labyrinth of spectacular caverns, fascinating passageways and chambers which were once home to Britain’s earliest humans and Ice Age beasts. The entertaining guides will lead you through an underground adventure. There are plenty of family fun activities with trails and Stone Age activities to try including shelter building, cave painting and an ice age animal hunt.

The Dartmouth Steam Railway runs for seven miles, starting in Paignton and travelling along the spectacular coastline to Churston and onwards through woodlands, passing National Trust’s Greenway, the former summer home of Agatha Christie. The steam train travels besides the Dart estuary towards its final destination, Kingswear. The scenery is superb with far reaching seascapes across Lyme Bay to Portland Bill and as you approach Kingswear, the picturesque hillside town of Dartmouth, the famous Britannia Royal Naval College and Dartmouth Castle all come in to splendid view. Combine your train trip with a ferry crossing to spend some time wandering around the quaint streets of Dartmouth, a boat cruise up the River Dart to Totnes and a return bus trip to Torquay, known as the hugely popular ‘Round Robin’.

Cockington is a picturesque, quintessentially English village on the outskirts of Torquay, and not to be missed. Step back in time as you wander around the narrow lanes, admire the rose-filled gardens and enjoy the rustic character and rural charm of the thatched country cottages. Cockington is the perfect place to take a world famous, Devon Cream Tea in authentic, charming tearooms that serve delicious local delicacies and homemade produce. Take a walk to the nearby Cockington Country Park, a beautiful 450-acre park with a 16th century manor house and a quaint church. Cockington Country Park has received the prestigious Keep Britain Tidy, Green Flag Award, an accolade which it has retained 23 times since its launch, one of only 5 sites in the whole of the UK to do so. The Green Flag Award is given for high environmental standards, being beautifully maintained and having excellent visitor facilities. It also has a contemporary craft centre with artisan studios including a blacksmith, chocolate maker, glassblower and woodturner, producing a wonderful range of handmade gifts that can be purchased onsite.