All tours related to Agatha Christie, from Torquay to London, paid tours and free ones to discover the history and setting of the most successful novels of The Lady in Yellow.
I have recently already talked about Agatha Christie when I brought you to Torquay, his hometown. In fact, in the city, the most passionate can follow a tour that takes them to numerous places dear to the writer who is said to be the best-selling after the Bible and Shakespeare! Discover with me in detail the most important locations related to his life and his works.
THEAgatha Christie Mile (the Agatha Christie mile) is a self-contained itinerary that winds through the city of Torquay and relives some moments from the life of the lady of the thriller through its focal points.
Starting with the beaches of Torquay, like Beacon Beach, where Agatha spent her childhood and her moments of relaxation, then moving on to Royal Torbay Yacht Club, of which his father was a distinguished member, eventually arriving at the Princess Pier, one of his favorite places to skate. His adult life is instead linked to Pavilion, a theater that can now only be visited externally, where her husband Archie asked her to marry after a Wagner concert and at Grand Hotel, where they spent their wedding night and where an Agatha Cristie Suite still exists.
The gardens of Torre Abbey, the abbey of the city of Torquay, still house the collection of Potent Plant plants, which inspired the writer for the poisons and potions contained in her books. The city museum has dedicated an entire section to the writer, retracing her life through some of her possessions. In the city there is also a commemorative bust installed in 1990, the centenary of Agatha's birth.
Do not miss the trip out of town to Greenway, the writer's vacation home. The building, "the most lovable place in the world" according to Agatha, has a rich history linked to the various families who lived there, although the most prominent is linked to the writer. Built in 1490, it offers visitors the opportunity to peek into the private life of the crime lady. Here Agatha set three of her tales, although she appears in many more stories under different names. Don't miss its wonderful garden. Greenway can be reached by boat (Greenway Ferry), with a Vintage Bus (Greenway Bus), with the steam train and 30-40 minutes of walking (Dartmouth Steam Train to Greenway Halt) or by car (paid parking on reservation).
The Vintage Bus Greenway Bus, allows the passage in most of the points of the Agatha Christie Mile. Except for the Torre Abbey, Torquay Museum and Greenway entrances, the tour is free if conducted independently.
If you are more interested in the places of his stories, there is a guide called Agatha Christie Literary Trail, that is the list of the places that inspired the locations of his detective stories located in the English Riviera and South Devon. I suggest you download the guide on the English Riviera official website to get the complete list of places that are part of the Literary Between.
There are several itineraries related to Agatha and her life in London, which retrace, similarly to those of Torquay, the places linked to the life and works of the writer. The route winds through various points of the capital, starting from Kensington and Chelsea where it is possible to see two of the houses where the writer lived, respectively Cresswell Place e 58 Sheffield Terrace.
Moving to the West End it is possible to visit St. Martin's Theater, the theater where his mystery Mousetrap has been staged for the past 40 years! The show broke all records by recording over 25.000 performances in London. Between Cranbourn Street and Great Newport Street it is also possible to visit his memorial, a 2 and a half meter book containing his bust and information about his life and works.
In Smithfield, however, you can visit the Art Deco building Florin Court, the London home of Inspector Hercule Poirot in the television adaptations of his adventures. Not pre-booking special entrances, even this tour if conducted independently and without guides is free.
