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!

You'll stay at the Imperial Hotel, which sits on the cliff tops on the edge of Torquay and boasts stunning sea views. One of the town's most iconic hotels, it exudes traditional elegance and the old-school charm of a bygone world.


THE JOURNAL COLLECTION OFFER!

Subscribers can claim a two night pre tour stay at a five-star hotel in London, with a gift voucher you can spend on a Royal Afternoon Tea, tickets to see MouseTrap the Musical, a copy of Lucy's new book and train tickets from London to Torquay. Ts&Cs apply. Subscriber extras are not valid in conjunction with any other offers or promotions.

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Your expert guides

Lucy Worsley OBE
Historian, author, TV presenter and curator

Lucy Worsley OBE is one of Britain's leading historians and is chief curator at Historic Royal Palaces. She has written a number of books, including Courtiers: A Secret History Of The Georgian Court, If Walls Could Talk: An Intimate History Of Your Home and a biography of Agatha Christie.

Lucy has presented a number of history shows including Six Wives With Lucy Worsley, Jane Austen: Behind Closed Doors and Lucy Worsley On The Mystery Queen which followed in the footsteps of Christie in Egypt. She is also the winner of a Specialist Factual Bafta for the documentary Suffragettes With Lucy Worsley.

Price includes

  • The Journal Collection subscriber offer:

    • Pre tour two night stay at five-star The Rubens At The Palace with a £100 per person gift voucher to use during your stay

    • Top seat ticket to see Mousetrap the Musical on your first or second night

    • Standard class train ticket from Paddington station to Torquay and private transfers from Torquay station to the hotel

    • Free copy of Lucy Worsley's new book

  • Three nights at the Imperial Hotel in Torquay, three breakfasts at the hotel, services of an expert guide
  • 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
Wed, Wed, Oct 30, 2024
To
Mon, Mon, Nov 4, 2024
Duration
6 Days
Price per person
$3,629*
Sold out

* Please note, this price is for all other readers. From price is per person, based on two people sharing a room, subject to availability. Pre-tour element subject to availability. Price and itinerary correct at time of print but may be subject to change. Single supplement $1025. Deposit 20%. Subscriber offer is subject to availability at time of booking, Train times are subject to time change and cancellations, Theatre tickets subject to availability. If Rubens hotel is unavailable suitable alternative 5* hotel will be booked. 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. Travel insurance is not included and 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 TS Travel Ltd.

Torquay (TOR)
Call now to book 8454020908
Quote ref: TST BSETORQUAYWORSLEY
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Itinerary

  1. Day
    1
    Arrive in London
    London, United Kingdom

    Today you will arrive in London and check into your hotel at your leisure. Five-star The Rubens at the Palace is located on Buckingham Palace Road in the heart of London. You can spend the rest of the day as you wish exploring England's capital city.

    You have the option this evening to go and see Mousetrap the Musical or you can choose to go on day 2, this is up to you and subject to show availability.

  2. Day
    2
    London
    London, United Kingdom

    Today you have a full day to take in the sights of London, you could join a sightseeing tour or head to Oxford Street and Mayfair for some retail therapy. Why not use your hotel gift voucher on Royal Afternoon Tea, and enjoy a quintessentially British tradition, overlooking the Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace. Or you could tuck into an early dinner at the English Grill if you have chosen to go and see Mousetrap the Musical this evening.

  3. Day
    3
    Arrive in Torquay and Greenway
    Torquay, United Kingdom

    Today you will board the train at Paddington and take a scenic train ride to Torquay. On arrival at Torquay station you will be picked up and driven to the Imperial Hotel. You can check in from 3pm - if you arrive earlier you can leave any bags at the hotel and take some time to explore the area if you wish. In the evening, your tour manager will meet your group for a welcome drink at the hotel, give a talk on Agatha Christie and share the itinerary for the next few days, before joining your group for dinner.

    Meals - Dinner
  4. Day
    4
    Cockington Court or Greenways; murder mystery evening
    Torquay, United Kingdom

    You'll depart the hotel this morning for Greenways, and enjoy a visit of the house and gardens independently. There will be time for lunch (not included) after which you will arrive at the Torquay Museum and visit the Agatha Christie Galley for a self-guided visit. This evening, enjoy dinner at your hotel with a murder mystery performance of Murder on the Riviera.

    Meals - Breakfast, Dinner
  5. Day
    5
    Torre Abbey or Torquay Museum
    Torquay, United Kingdom

    Depart your hotel this morning for a visit to Torre Abbey for an 'Agatha Christie Potent Plants' guided tour of the garden. There will also be free time to explore the Abbey Museum. Afterwards, your group will depart for the Moorland Hotel where you will enjoy a two course lunch with two glasses of wine included. In the afternoon, you'll travel back to your hotel a spend the evening at your leisure.

    Meals - Breakfast
  6. Day
    6
    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

Location

It was great to walk the Agatha Christie mile, stretching along the town's seafront to Meadfoot Beach, a sheltered bay at the bottom of imposing clifftops.

The beaches are right on your doorstep, but it's only a 15-minute walk into Torquay, where you'll find plenty of shops and restaurants.
By car: around 4 hours 30 minutes from London, 2 hours from Bristol and 5 hours from Manchester. Parking costs £7 per night.
By train: trains from London Paddington and Birmingham New Street to Torquay takes around 3 hours. The hotel is a 5-minute taxi ride away. thetrainline.com

View in Google Maps

Style & Character

This hotel is suited to mature guests, as well as those looking for a little old-school glamour and families after a traditional seaside escape. The immaculate formal gardens won us over with their manicured lawns, palm-fringed boarders and 360-degree sea views.

Service & Facilities

Swimming in the heated outdoor pool overlooking the ruby-red cliffs of the English Riviera is an unexpected treat. Dogs are welcome to stay in a selection of garden-level rooms, where a bowl and bed will be provided.

  • Restaurant
  • Bar
  • Terrace
  • Garden
  • Swimming pool
  • Fitness centre
  • Tennis courts
  • Spa
  • Pet-friendly
  • Free Wi-Fi

Rooms

The Deluxe (dog-friendly) room stole the show with its direct access to the clifftop gardens and spectacular views across the bay. It was joyful to wake to the views beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking large palms set against a backdrop of sea and sky.

Standard Room, Deluxe Room, Suite
Facilities include: ensuite bathroom with toiletries, hairdryer, tea and coffee facilities, dressing table/desk, TV, free Wi-Fi

Food & Drink

What's not to love about a traditional Devon cream tea, served with a glass of champagne to a backdrop of blues?! Caught straight from the Brixham day-boats, the seared filled of local hake, served with pea and basil velouté, chorizo and samphire, offers an authentic taste of the bay.

The Restaurant: main dining room, sea views. Modern British cuisine, locally sourced ingredients. Open daily for breakfast and dinner.
Palm Court Lounge & Bar: coastal-themed bar, comfy chairs. Serving light bites alongside drinks. Open daily, 10am-9pm.

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Availability

From
Wed, Wed, Oct 30, 2024
To
Mon, Mon, Nov 4, 2024
Duration
6 Days
Price per person
$3,629*
Sold out

* Please note, this price is for all other readers. From price is per person, based on two people sharing a room, subject to availability. Pre-tour element subject to availability. Price and itinerary correct at time of print but may be subject to change. Single supplement $1025. Deposit 20%. Subscriber offer is subject to availability at time of booking, Train times are subject to time change and cancellations, Theatre tickets subject to availability. If Rubens hotel is unavailable suitable alternative 5* hotel will be booked. 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. Travel insurance is not included and 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 TS Travel Ltd.

Torquay (TOR)
Call now to book 8454020908
Quote ref: TST BSETORQUAYWORSLEY