Things to do in Torquay

Our most recommended things to do in Torquay

Torquay: The extraordinary life of Agatha Christie tour

Torquay: The extraordinary life of Agatha Christie tour

Walk in the footsteps of the “Queen of Crime”, Agatha Christie. The tour begins by telling the story of Agatha’s early years in Torquay, where she spent the first 30 years of her life, growing up in a large Georgian villa, with its views to the sea. You'll hear about the local people she met and the places she visited which inspired her plots and characters. The route follows the beautiful English Riviera coastline, passing Torquay’s famous Pavilion. It's here, that Agatha and Archibald Christie, her first husband, watched a concert and afterwards he proposed to her. We stop at the Princess Pier where Agatha and her friends used to roller skate alongside wealthy Victorians promenading in their finest clothes. It's here you'll have the chance to stand in exactly the same spot that Agatha stood in 1910! Whilst strolling through the gardens at Torre Abbey, Torquay's oldest building, hear how a soiree arranged for Belgian refugees in 1916, resulted in Agatha meeting the man who provided the inspiration for Hercule Poirot. Guests will also discover how Miss Marple was created and why Agatha preferred to write about Miss Marple than Poirot. It was never Agatha's intention to be a writer, but you will find out how a bet from her sister encouraged Agatha to write her first published Poirot novel. When the first World War began, Agatha volunteered to become a nurse. She worked at Torquay's Town Hall. But when she moved to the dispensary, you will discover how this inspired her use of poison! The tour recounts Agatha’s infamous 11 day disappearance that led to the biggest manhunt in British history at that time and how this incident forced her to flee this country and head to the Middle East, which would inspire novels such as Murder on the Orient Express and Death on the Nile. This chapter in her life also resulted in Agatha meeting her second husband Max Mallowan. The tour ends near to the Grand Hotel, where Agatha and Archie spent their honeymoon. Here, we will discuss how her writing kept up the nation's morale during World War 2 and for which she would receive a Damehood. Agatha's literary output was phenomenal and has touched the lives of billions of people. Even today she sells 5 million novels per year, with her popularity continuing to rise. Guests from across the world travel to Torquay not only to appreciate her contribution to crime writing, but also to admire her determination to overcome the barriers she faced to become a writer. Without doubt, and extraordinary lady who led an extraordinary life.

Torquay: The Fawlty Tours Experience - Guided Walk

Torquay: The Fawlty Tours Experience - Guided Walk

Take a trip down memory lane to reminisce and enjoy the story of Fawlty Towers, which is set in Torquay. This show is a timeless comedy classic. 50 years ago, the first episode was shown on BBC2, featuring 4 unforgettable characters - Basil, Sybil, Manuel & Polly - who worked at the most chaotic hotel in Torquay! Surprisingly, there were only 12 episodes, but the show has proven to be successful across the world, attracting guests from America, Australia, Poland, Finland, Iceland and even Germany! In fact, Fawlty Towers is one of the BBC's biggest exports. Along the 90 minute tour, guests will be taken on a trip down memory lane and encouraged to recreate some of the funniest scenes. There are plenty of laugh-out-loud moments along the way and lots of great photo opportunities! Guests will discover how a stay at a Torquay hotel gave John Cleese and Connie Booth the idea to write Fawlty Towers. Hear how each of the characters were created and about the locations where the programme was filmed. Find out where the writers John Cleese and Connie Booth found their inspiration for plots. We'll even talk about the hotel's sign posts and who was responsible for changing them! Guests will be discouraged from goose-stepping and mentioning the war! En route, look out for Sydney Opera House and the Hanging Gardens of Babylon! We'll talk about the new Fawlty Towers play in London and the dining experiences, which are taking place in Torquay! And, at the end of the tour, we finish with an entertaining Fawlty Towers quiz - but beware of Basil the rat who might make an unexpected appearance!

Torquay: Kents Cavern Prehistoric Cave

Torquay: Kents Cavern Prehistoric Cave

Kents Cavern is one of the most important Stone Age sites in Europe and one of Britain's best showcaves! On your visit you'll go back to a time when the cave was home to ancient humans, sheltering from extreme weather, making fires, shaping tools and hunting Ice Age animals. As you walk through the extensive labyrinth of caverns, you'll be surrounded by 400 million-year-old rocks and spectacular stalagmites and stalactites. Make a day of it when you book guided tours of Kents Cavern! Your ticket includes a tour with an expert guide, access to site facilities, entry to the Woodland Trail, and access to the Stone Age Zone. All tours around the cave are guided and begin in the Vestibule Chamber, as you enter the cave you'll feel the temperature at a constant 14°C. Your tour guide will lead you through the caves to reveal how it was formed 2.5 million years ago and how stalagmite floors formed, sealing in the evidence of Ice Age occupations. You'll see an abundance of stalagmites and stalactites decorating our chambers, and learn all about Kents Caverns excavations in the Victorian era. In our Stone Age Zone you can view our extensive collection of artefacts and bones of the creatures which once roamed around inside these ancient walls. Children can embrace their inner explorer and dig for their very own gemstones to take home! Take a walk through our Woodland Trail to try your hand at shelter building and to discover an array of Ice Age animal sculptures - a perfect photo opportunity! Finally, you can well deserved rest in the Firestone Kitchen, our on-site cafe, serving a range of delicious sweet treats, lunch options and beverages.

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Our most recommended things to do in Torquay

Torquay: The extraordinary life of Agatha Christie tour

Torquay: The extraordinary life of Agatha Christie tour

Walk in the footsteps of the “Queen of Crime”, Agatha Christie. The tour begins by telling the story of Agatha’s early years in Torquay, where she spent the first 30 years of her life, growing up in a large Georgian villa, with its views to the sea. You'll hear about the local people she met and the places she visited which inspired her plots and characters. The route follows the beautiful English Riviera coastline, passing Torquay’s famous Pavilion. It's here, that Agatha and Archibald Christie, her first husband, watched a concert and afterwards he proposed to her. We stop at the Princess Pier where Agatha and her friends used to roller skate alongside wealthy Victorians promenading in their finest clothes. It's here you'll have the chance to stand in exactly the same spot that Agatha stood in 1910! Whilst strolling through the gardens at Torre Abbey, Torquay's oldest building, hear how a soiree arranged for Belgian refugees in 1916, resulted in Agatha meeting the man who provided the inspiration for Hercule Poirot. Guests will also discover how Miss Marple was created and why Agatha preferred to write about Miss Marple than Poirot. It was never Agatha's intention to be a writer, but you will find out how a bet from her sister encouraged Agatha to write her first published Poirot novel. When the first World War began, Agatha volunteered to become a nurse. She worked at Torquay's Town Hall. But when she moved to the dispensary, you will discover how this inspired her use of poison! The tour recounts Agatha’s infamous 11 day disappearance that led to the biggest manhunt in British history at that time and how this incident forced her to flee this country and head to the Middle East, which would inspire novels such as Murder on the Orient Express and Death on the Nile. This chapter in her life also resulted in Agatha meeting her second husband Max Mallowan. The tour ends near to the Grand Hotel, where Agatha and Archie spent their honeymoon. Here, we will discuss how her writing kept up the nation's morale during World War 2 and for which she would receive a Damehood. Agatha's literary output was phenomenal and has touched the lives of billions of people. Even today she sells 5 million novels per year, with her popularity continuing to rise. Guests from across the world travel to Torquay not only to appreciate her contribution to crime writing, but also to admire her determination to overcome the barriers she faced to become a writer. Without doubt, and extraordinary lady who led an extraordinary life.

Torquay: The Fawlty Tours Experience - Guided Walk

Torquay: The Fawlty Tours Experience - Guided Walk

Take a trip down memory lane to reminisce and enjoy the story of Fawlty Towers, which is set in Torquay. This show is a timeless comedy classic. 50 years ago, the first episode was shown on BBC2, featuring 4 unforgettable characters - Basil, Sybil, Manuel & Polly - who worked at the most chaotic hotel in Torquay! Surprisingly, there were only 12 episodes, but the show has proven to be successful across the world, attracting guests from America, Australia, Poland, Finland, Iceland and even Germany! In fact, Fawlty Towers is one of the BBC's biggest exports. Along the 90 minute tour, guests will be taken on a trip down memory lane and encouraged to recreate some of the funniest scenes. There are plenty of laugh-out-loud moments along the way and lots of great photo opportunities! Guests will discover how a stay at a Torquay hotel gave John Cleese and Connie Booth the idea to write Fawlty Towers. Hear how each of the characters were created and about the locations where the programme was filmed. Find out where the writers John Cleese and Connie Booth found their inspiration for plots. We'll even talk about the hotel's sign posts and who was responsible for changing them! Guests will be discouraged from goose-stepping and mentioning the war! En route, look out for Sydney Opera House and the Hanging Gardens of Babylon! We'll talk about the new Fawlty Towers play in London and the dining experiences, which are taking place in Torquay! And, at the end of the tour, we finish with an entertaining Fawlty Towers quiz - but beware of Basil the rat who might make an unexpected appearance!

Torquay: Kents Cavern Prehistoric Cave

Torquay: Kents Cavern Prehistoric Cave

Kents Cavern is one of the most important Stone Age sites in Europe and one of Britain's best showcaves! On your visit you'll go back to a time when the cave was home to ancient humans, sheltering from extreme weather, making fires, shaping tools and hunting Ice Age animals. As you walk through the extensive labyrinth of caverns, you'll be surrounded by 400 million-year-old rocks and spectacular stalagmites and stalactites. Make a day of it when you book guided tours of Kents Cavern! Your ticket includes a tour with an expert guide, access to site facilities, entry to the Woodland Trail, and access to the Stone Age Zone. All tours around the cave are guided and begin in the Vestibule Chamber, as you enter the cave you'll feel the temperature at a constant 14°C. Your tour guide will lead you through the caves to reveal how it was formed 2.5 million years ago and how stalagmite floors formed, sealing in the evidence of Ice Age occupations. You'll see an abundance of stalagmites and stalactites decorating our chambers, and learn all about Kents Caverns excavations in the Victorian era. In our Stone Age Zone you can view our extensive collection of artefacts and bones of the creatures which once roamed around inside these ancient walls. Children can embrace their inner explorer and dig for their very own gemstones to take home! Take a walk through our Woodland Trail to try your hand at shelter building and to discover an array of Ice Age animal sculptures - a perfect photo opportunity! Finally, you can well deserved rest in the Firestone Kitchen, our on-site cafe, serving a range of delicious sweet treats, lunch options and beverages.

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What people are saying about Torquay

Overall rating

5
(2 reviews)

Well, what can one say about this tour that is clear concise and accurate. Graham is an extremely good tour guide very engaging has a wealth of knowledge of Agetha (as you would expect) but able to impart that knowledge with humour. In short, if you yourself in Torquay, have an interest in Agetha (even a very limited interest) then you will enjoy this tour.

Graham our Tour Guide was excellent and shared so many interesting stories of Agatha Christie’s life as we walked along on the tour. We laughed a lot and were just amazed as we were learning so much about Agatha Christie’s life and accomplishments. All in all a great tour which we would highly recommend.

We enjoyed visiting the caves and learning about its history including the different animals and people who have used it for different purposes over millions of years. It was an excellent and very informative tour and the structures and formations in the caves are fascinating to see.

Whenever you visit Torquay you MUST do that that tour with Graham. Excellent sense of humour, great entertainment. Really enjoyed it.

The tour was amazing with a great tour guide. Would recommend it