Agatha Christie in London

ITINERARY

Day 1: Arrival
Arrive independently at the Doubletree by Hilton West End Hotel from 15.00. This evening there will be a welcome drink, dinner with wine and an introductory talk by expert Jane Tapley on Agatha Christie's playwriting career.  

Day 2: Isokon Gallery, British Library, and The Mousetrap
This morning we head to Belsize Park for a special visit to the Isokon Gallery and the Grade I listed Isokon Building, a pioneering modernist apartment block designed as an experiment in minimalist urban living, and where Agatha lived from 1941-1947. We will have a private tour of the gallery which will include a talk from one of the co-trustees, on the time Agatha spent at the building. After free time for lunch (own expense), we head to the British Library for Agatha Christie: A major exhibition on the woman behind books, for a fascinating insight into her life and creative mind. Here we view some of her personal belongings, notebooks, photographs and early manuscript drafts - some of which have never been on display before, and reveal how some of her iconic mysteries were conceived. On our return to the hotel we stop at the Agatha Christie Memorial, a bronze sculpture that honours the famed author’s enduring legacy as the “Queen of Crime.” Free time for an early dinner (own expense), before arriving at St Martin's Theatre. Here we have tickets for Agatha's legendary whodunnit, The Mousetrap. The show has been performed continuously in the West End and is the longest-running play in the world, now in its 75th year. Return to the hotel for approx. 22.30.

Day 3: Florin Court to County Hall
We start today with a walk past Florin Court, an art deco residential building with a distinctive curved facade. It was completed in 1936 and featured on TV as Whitehaven Mansions, the fictional residence of Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot. Next we continue to the atmospheric Apothecaries’ Hall for a guided tour led by one of the Hall’s archivists or historians, bringing to life a world of medicine, poisons and pharmacology that so often underpinned Agatha Christie’s plots. We then enjoy a visit to the historic Club for Acts and Actors (subject to availability), where we are welcomed with a light lunch and time to look around this fascinating theatrical institution. This afternoon we take our seats at County Hall for a matinee performance of Witness for the Prosecution, Christie’s gripping courtroom drama. After the performance, we return to the hotel, arriving at approximately 18.00.

NB: Exact order of excursions may vary according to local conditions and tour manager's discretion. 

Please note the maximum group size on this tour is 25 passengers.

Please note: Post tour extra nights are available at a supplement.

Tour Grading: This tour has been graded as moderate due to the amount of walking and standing for viewing at attractions. Please visit the mobility page of our website, or call our team prior to booking if you have any questions. 

INCLUDED

• Two nights' bed and breakfast at the four-star Doubletree by Hilton London West End Hotel, based on shared occupancy of a twin/double room
• Welcome drink
• First night 3 course dinner with wine at the hotel restaurant
• One light lunch 
• All talks, guided tours and entrance fees as per the itinerary
• Tickets for performances of The Mousetrap, and Witness for the Prosecution
• Coach transfers around London  
• Agatha Christie expert Jane Tapley throughout 
• Tour manager throughout
  
  

NOT INCLUDED

• Transport to the hotel is not included
• Hotel Car Parking
• Double room for sole use supplement - from £230
• Extra nights on bed and breakfast basis 
• Holiday insurance 
• Meals other than those stated 
• Items of a personal nature such as drinks, laundry, telephone calls etc 
• Porterage and gratuities

HOTEL

Doubletree by Hilton London West End
Located in Bloomsbury, Central London, this four-star refurbished Edwardian building blends historic character with contemporary design. The hotel facilities include a restaurant and bar overlooking Southampton Row, fitness centre, and comfortable, modern bedrooms with ensuite bathroom, air-conditioning, TV, hairdryer, and tea/coffee-making facilities. 

Getting there:
The nearest mainline railway station is London Euston (approx 1.3 km).
The nearest tube stations are Holborn (4 minute walk) or Russell Square (5 minute walk).

Please note that the hotel is inside the London Congestion Charge zone, and there is no on-site car park at the hotel. If driving, we suggest you locate and pre-book a nearby parking space using a parking app for best availability and rates.

Hotel Website

MORE INFO  

YOUR TOUR EXPERT

Jane Tapley

Jane Tapley has been running Literary tours for Travel Editions for many years. Her subjects include Jane Austen in Hampshire and Bath, Dickens in Kent and Agatha Christie in both Torquay and Harrogate. Jane’s knowledge of all these writers is second to none, with Agatha Christie on the English Riviera being one of Travel Editions' most popular tours. 

For the past forty years she has been the Special events Organiser at the Theatre Royal in Bath and regularly interviews authors about their biographies of many writers she includes in her tours. Jane is also a Blue Badge Guide. 

Her enthusiasm is much praised and appreciated by our travellers, some of whom come on her tours more than once. She also brings her love of theatre to all her tours by including a dramatic performance by actors she has known through her role at the Bath Theatre.

Please note that all our UK tours start and finish at the relevant hotel.  

You can normally check in from 3pm onwards but hotels will always be happy to store your luggage if you arrive earlier in the day. 

For full details of how to get to the hotel, directions and the nearest train station, please click on the hotel website or call our office for details. These will also be sent automatically with your confirmation. 

The welcome reception and first evening dinner / talk will commence at about 6pm - full details will be sent with your joining instructions about 10 days prior to the arrival date.