International Agatha Christie festival

a quick google search found https://www.iacf-uk.org/ for the festival

there is a link on that site for the Riviera tourist office in Torquay

I hope it goes forward for you...

This area was given the name the English Riviera a century ago. Unfortunately, its fortunes have declined since then and nowadays it’s more fish and chip takeaways, bingo, coach holidays for pensioners and amusement arcades than fine dining and the place where those with money went for their weekends.

I haven’t heard of the festival, but I have visited Greenway, her former home now owned by the National Trust. It’s worth a couple of hours. You need to book the car park in advance.

The festival seems to be based at Torre Abbey, in the centre of Torquay, so there will be lots of nearby accommodation choices.

Take a boat trip over to Brixham, walk up to Cockington Forge, visit nearby Buckfast Abbey and spend a day sailing down the River Dart from Totnes, taking the steam train to Paignton and a vintage bus back to Totnes. Totnes has some great cafes.

Totnes even has its own currency

Hi crazed -

Jennifer is right, the English Riviera is not really an appropriate title now. We’ve done the rail/bus/sail triangle Jennifer described and the stop in Paignton was as brief as we could make it! A veritable armpit of a place now in our view.

That said, we were staying near Dartmouth which is a delight and Totnes, as included in the triangle tour, was eccentric but interesting and pleasant. We walked from Totnes to Berry Pomeroy (ruined stately home/castle) and back and along the coast from Dartmouth (via the Kingswear ferry) to Coleton Fishacre (country retreat of the Doyly-Cartes) which included a short tour round the (relatively modern) house and a longer linger in the beautiful gardens. Be warned though, these were fairly long all day walks and you might prefer to source other transportation.

Greenway we visited by boat (water taxi) and strolled back by way of ferry to Dartmouth. We also caught the Dartmouth-Totnes ferry and returned on foot via the Dart Valley Trail, stopping at Dittisham for a cream tea before taking the tiny ferry back to Dartmouth. There’s a ton of stuff to do away from the big coastal resorts which may be eye-opening to visit but wouldn’t be my first best option.

However, the coastal resorts may be an important part of the trip for you, especially as the Festival is centred on Torquay, but be aware there are - better in my view - alternatives!

Ian

recommendations for a small hotel in Torquay anyone?