Regarding Torquay: my daughter and I are huge Agatha Christie fans and wish to see the ‘Agatha Christie Mile’ and sites it includes, like her vacation home and book inspirations. Any other lit lovers that can weigh in on this as a worthy destination?
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33994 posts
I've never heard of an Agatha Christie "mile".
I enjoy taking the boat from Torquay to Paignton, then connecting with the steam train up towards Greenway, the house that Agatha Christie lived in on the river Dart. Greenway, now owned by the National Trust, is kept as it was, with original furnishings that you can sit in, take down a copy of one of her mysteries and read in her living room. I love the place.
Greenway can be reached by a narrow lane (if driving parking MUST be arranged well in advance, you can't turn up) or by boat to Greenway's boat landing, or by antique bus from Torquay.
Worth it? Who knows, it varies from person to person. For me, absolutely.
Posted by
Glostrup, Denmark
1394 posts
It's new to me too - and I would claim I know all her novels by heart.
Apparently it really is a thing though: https://www.visitengland.com/experience/experience-agatha-christies-riviera-devon
Posted by
OP
4 posts
Good to know!! I wanted to hear from someone with similar interests. Seems absolutely worth it to me :)
The AC Mile is a route that encompasses 12 places of interest. I saw it on the English Riviera Tourist Board page.
Posted by
Bristol, UK
619 posts
We have been to Greenway, and I agree with Nigel that it is well worth visiting.
Another place you might enjoy in that area is Coleton Fishacre. This was the country home of the D'Oyley Carte family - they are best known as the producers of the Gilbert & Sullivan operas. Coleton Fishacre is a 1920's art deco house, furnished in the style of that era, in a stunning posiiton overlooking the sea.
You might also like Castle Drogo, a twentieth century Lutyens-designed castle on Dartmoor built for Julius Drewe, founder of a nationwide chain of grocery stores. It is currently undergoing heavy restoration, but is well worth seeing.
Posted by
Oxford, United Kingdom
5466 posts
There is also the "Dame Agatha Christie Trail" in and around Wallingford, which includes along it Winterbrook House where she lived from the 1930s until her death and her grave.
Posted by
London
233 posts
If you time your visit right, in September there's usually the Agatha Christie festival; you might enjoy some of the activities? Have a little google for specifics.