Agatha Christie On The English Riviera With Lucy Worsley

This wonderful tour immerses itself in the life and times of the most famous mystery writer in literary history, the incomparable Agatha Christie. The tour is based at the Grand Hotel in Torquay, where Agatha Christie stayed on her wedding night as well as other haunts of our heroine and many other notables of her day. The highlight of the tour is a visit to Burgh Island which inspired the settings for both And Then There Were None and the Poirot mystery Evil Under the Sun.  Here you will enjoy plenty of time to explore as well as a delicious lunch accompanied by acclaimed historian and writer Lucy Worsley at Burgh Island, who will give a talk and Q&A and sign copies of her book, "Agatha Christie: A Very Elusive Woman."

ITINERARY

Day 1: 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 and 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 for a visit to the spectacular gardens and a guided tour from the Head Gardener of 'Agatha Christie Potent Plants'. 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 Dartmouth
This morning we will head to lovely Dartmouth on the River Dart where a leisurely stroll will whet your appetite for lunch at the Moorlands Hotel, where Agatha wrote her first book, “The Mysterious Affair at Styles.” Return to Torquay for free time to explore independently.

Day 4: 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 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. Lunch will be served in the hotel dining room with wine included. A talk and Q&A with acclaimed historian and writer, Lucy Worsley will enhance the visit – she will also be on hand to sign copies of her book (included in the tour price)  Return to the hotel in Torquay for approximately 17.30.

Pre and post tour extra nights are available at a supplement. 

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 27 passengers.

INCLUDED 

• Three nights’ bed and breakfast at the Grand Hotel, Torquay based on sharing a twin or double room
• Welcome reception
• Private three-course dinner with wine on first evening
• Private dinner with murder mystery event at the hotel
• Lunch at Burgh Island Hotel with talk/Q&A from Lucy Worsley
• Lunch at the Moorlands Hotel
• All talks, guided tours and admissions
• Coach touring itinerary and tour manager, Jane Tapley, throughout
• Copy of Lucy Worsley's book "Agatha Christie: A Very Elusive Woman."
  
  

NOT INCLUDED

• Transport to the hotel is not included
• Double for sole use supplement - £90
• Room upgrades  
• Extra nights on bed and breakfast basis 
• Car parking charges
• Holiday insurance 
• Meals other than those stated 
• Items of a personal nature such as drinks, laundry, telephone calls etc 
• Porterage and gratuities

HOTEL

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 amenities including ensuite bathroom, TV, telephone, wifi, safe, hairdryer and tea/coffee making facilities. 

Parking: There are a few on street parking spaces outside the hotel but these are based on a first come first served basis and cannot be reserved. Hotel car parking is available at the hotel garage or the nearby rugby club (0.1 miles from the hotel) and will be chargeable at a machine or via a parking app. 

Torquay train station is located a 2 minute walk from the hotel.

Hotel Website