Agatha Christie magic attracts fans to Bay from all over world

Christie fever is about to grip the Bay with Torbay’s very own Queen of Crime the centre of attention for thousands of fans from around the globe.

The Agatha Christie Festival looks set to be bigger than ever, bringing even more visitors to Torbay than before. 

It runs from Saturday September 13 to Sunday September 21, but there was also a special Agatha Christie Sea Swim to start the ball rolling at the weekend and it was officially launched at a special reception at the Mercure Hotel in Paignton.

The festival, which began in 1990, welcomes over 4,000 visitors each year, many from overseas. More than 7,000 tickets have already sold for this year’s events. 

Festival Director Matt Newbury said: “We have definitely seen an increase in people year-on-year, with 2026 being the best. 

“Currently 70 per cent of those attending are overnight visitors, with 54 per cent of them coming from abroad. 

“The festival just grows and grows, showing there is still an ever-increasing appetite for Torbay’s most famous daughter. 

“We hold 55 different unique events across 30 venues, and I’m delighted to say that 19 of those events have already sold out. 

“The format of a four-day fringe festival and five-day literary festival seems to work well, offering something for everyone and it’s very satisfying to know our festival helps bring in substantial investment to local businesses, especially our hotels, and restaurants.”

Torre Abbey is used as a base for many of the events and highlights this year are Agatha themed talks by Chris Chibnall (of Broadchurch and Dr Who fame); and authors Lucy Foley and Sophie Hannah. 

Many local venues also get in on the act, with the Little Theatre, in Meadfoot hosting a weeklong run of the play The Hollow, and Brixham Theatre presenting a show called Murder in the Studio. 

The Palace theatre have a one nighter called ‘Murder she Didn’t Write’ in which the audience get to help determine the outcome. 

There are also events at Paignton Zoo, Kents Cavern, Pier Point, and Paignton library, amongst many others.

On the morning of September 18, for the first time there is a ‘Costumed Parade’ a themed fancy dress walk, in which everyone is welcome to walk from the new Agatha Christie bench on Torquay harbourside along the Agatha Christie mile to Princess Pier. 

To find out more about the festival and to book events visit wwwagathachristiefestival.com