A short break on the English Riviera exploring places associated with the life of the Queen of Crime, Agatha Christie, has been on my bucket list for a while. I haven’t managed it yet, but if it is on your bucket list too, you may want to check out the Agatha Christie Festival, which returns to Torquay from 12 to 20 September 2026.
This is a six-day fringe followed by a four-day literary festival, held annually close to Christie’s birthday on 15 September, running since 1990.
2026 is a big one for anniversaries: the centenary of The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, 50 years since Sleeping Murder (Christie’s final Miss Marple novel), and 50 years since the author’s death. Organisers reckon it’ll be one of the biggest festivals yet.
The opening Fringe Festival invites visitors to explore locations closely connected with Christie’s life and stories. Highlights include a journey on the Dartmouth Steam Railway, famously featured in both The ABC Murders and Dead Man’s Folly, followed by a cruise along the picturesque River Dart.
Worth a look if you’re a fan of Agatha Christie or fancy a few days by the sea with a bit of mystery thrown in.
For more information visit https://www.iacf-uk.org
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd
Available from The Bookshop https://uk.bookshop.org/a/3668/9780007527526
Available from Amazon https://link.amazon/B0hpM4moV
Sleeping Murder
Available from The Bookshop https://uk.bookshop.org/a/3668/9780008196639
Available from Amazon https://link.amazon/B06h6O8eS
The ABC Murders
Available from The Bookshop https://uk.bookshop.org/a/3668/9780007527533
Available from Amazon https://link.amazon/B0gD4znmQ
Dead Man’s Folly
Available from The Bookshop https://uk.bookshop.org/a/3668/9780007556878
Available from Amazon https://link.amazon/B02GgWtsN