Devon's Past Mysteries Revealed

Itinerary

• Day 1 - Hotel arrival
  Check in to your hotel in the afternoon. Later, we enjoy a welcome drinks reception hosted by our tour manager.
• Day 2 - Greenway and Torquay Agatha Christie Walking Toury
  For our first excursion we take the foot ferry to Greenway, the much-loved holiday home of Agatha Christie and her family. Nestled on the side of the River Dart and surrounded by a picturesque woodland garden, this atmospheric house is set in the 1950s and contains many of the family’s collections. As we wander through the atmospheric rooms, imagine Christie reading her latest mystery novel to her guests. We head back to sunny Torquay, not only famous for its continental harbour and palm-tree lined promenade, but also as the birthplace of The Queen of Crime. Did you know that this is where Agatha Christie learned about poisons while working as a pharmacist? We take a guided walking tour of the Agatha Christie Mile, retracing her steps and ticking off the 11 seafront locations connected to her life and works.
• Day 3 - Torre Abbey and Coleton Fishacre
  This morning we head to Torre Abbey, an atmospheric history and art museum housed in Torbay’s most historic buildings. After time to look around, the award-winning garden awaits, where we’re treated to an intriguing Gardener tour. Given that over half of Agatha Christie’s characters were poisoned, we discover a range of sinister shrubs, including the sources for cyanide, morphine and ricin. For the detectives among us, there are clues in the plant beds around the garden to help decipher missing story titles, and every plant in this mystery is tied to the Queen of Crime in some way; whether they appear in her stories or are connected to her personal life. Next up is Coleton Fishacre, a 1920s Arts and Crafts-style house built for the D’Oyly Carte family. The property instantly transports its visitors to the Jazz Age, almost Christie-like in its setting, and there are plenty of rooms to discover, from the opulent Saloon to the servant’s rooms. Look out for the bottle of poison in the Butler’s pantry too, brought here to dissolve rust stains from laundry linen (or so we’re told)! The sophistication of the house’s surviving Art Deco interior beautifully contrasts with the tropical 30-acre garden, complete with views out to sea.
• Day 4 - Saltram and Plymouth
  We head to Saltram, an elegant Georgian mansion set in a rolling landscape park and one of the National Trust’s least discovered treasures. Home to the Parker family for several generations, the house is a rare survival of the period; particularly because it comes complete with its original, impressively lavish contents, including stunning paintings, ceramics and textiles. Those who dare can also find out more about the supposed Ghost of Saltram here. Upon our return to the mainland, we enjoy some free time in Plymouth Hoe, with its wonderful waterfront, rich maritime heritage, lovely views over Plymouth Sound and famous promenade, which features a memorial to Sir Francis Drake (who was playing bowls on the Hoe when he saw the Spanish Armada begin to invade!). Don’t miss the historic Barbican, a vibrant labyrinth of cobbled streets and smuggler’s alleyways, as well as Sutton Harbour.
• Day 5 - Britannia Royal Naval College and Burgh Island
  After breakfast, we make our way to the Britannia Royal Naval College* in pretty Dartmouth. We take a captivating, guided tour of the UK’s naval academy, learning about its past glories as we weave through the Chapel, Quarterdeck, Parade Ground, Senior Gun Room and Britannia Heritage Museum. Our tour also treads the path of royalty; this is where George V, George VI and His Majesty The King were naval cadets, and where Prince Philip and Princess Elizabeth had their first significant encounter. *Please note that visitors need to present photographic ID. Depending on tide times, we either make the short walk or take the sea tractor over to Burgh Island, where we are treated to afternoon tea at the beautiful Art Deco hotel. Built in 1929 and extended in 1932, the hotel has been restored to its 30s glamour and offers an opulent glimpse into the past. Previous guests include Winston Churchill, Josephine Baker, Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson, and you can just visualise Agatha Christie writing two novels here (Evil Under the Sun and And Then There Were None), with the glitz of the hotel appealing to her as a literary setting. Afterwards we return to Torquay for some free time.
• Day 6 - Departure
  After a leisurely breakfast, we check out of the hotel for your journey home.