Agatha Christie Sea Swim

This unique event celebrates Agatha Christie’s love of sea swimming, by taking participants on a one mile ‘sightseeing swim’ between two of her favourite beaches. Participants are encouraged not to race, but to enjoy the scenery, whilst raising money for Rowcroft Hospice and the Agatha Christie Festival Charity.

Full safety support is being provided, while the event is open to all strong swimmers over the age of 18, who can comfortably swim a mile.

We will leave from Beacon Cove, where Agatha swam as a child when it was the Ladies' Bathing Place and swim past the Imperial Hotel, which is featured in several of her books. The swim then hugs the coast past Peaked Tor Cove (the former Gentlemen's Bathing Place) and then past Dyers Quarry and on to London Bridge Arch. It’s possible to swim under this natural arch before continuing along past a huge cave known as Thunder Hole or Daddy Hole - it was once believed that the devil lived in this cave, so you’ll need to be brave to venture inside.

The last past of the swim takes you past West Shag Rock and into the elegant curve of Meadfoot Bay overlooked by the majestic 19th century Osborne Hotel. The beach was one of the first to allow mixed bathing and was a favourite with Agatha, who would spend her summers with her sister Madge and her nephew Jack on what was considered the more aristocratic and fashionable beach.

The event finishes on Meadfoot Beach where there is a shower, toilets and a café.

Tickets are £30 including full event support and insurance, souvenir swim hat and a unique branded prize for completing the swim. This event is being run by volunteers with all proceeds being donated to the charities.

Important Information

There will be four ‘waves’ leaving 15 minutes apart, each with a maximum of 75 swimmers. If you are swimming with friends, please ensure that you book in the same wave, as it will not be possible to move people around once you have booked.

• 4.00pm – 1st Wave departs from Beacon Cove
• 4.15pm – 2nd Wave departs from Beacon Cove
• 4.30pm – 3rd Wave departs from Beacon Cove
• 4.45pm – 4th Wave departs from Beacon Cove

We will have transportation available to move one bag per swimmer from Beacon Cove to Meadfoot Beach.

We will be emailing more information and disclaimer forms ahead of the race, which we must receive back by the closing date in order for you to participate. Spectators are encouraged to follow the coast path past the Imperial Hotel and along to Meadfoot Beach. There are several vantage points along the way to see the swimmers from. Please note this path has a number of steps in places and is not suitable for those with limited mobility. The views are spectacular though.

If the swim is called off due to adverse weather conditions or pollution alerts, we will not be able to issue a refund. However, all swimmers will still get their hats and gifts, with all remaining money being donated to the charities.

We will have transportation available to move one bag per swimmer from Beacon Cove to Meadfoot Beach. There is unlikely to be parking at the Beacon Cove Car Park on the day of the swim, as the Stand Up Paddleboard SUPERCHAMPS are taking place over the same weekend. A number of other car parks are available, including ones at Meadfoot Beach. Please find more information here. Another possibility is the shopper’s car park at Fleet Walk.

We will be emailing more information and disclaimer forms ahead of the race, which we must receive back in order for you to participate. Spectators are encouraged to follow the coast path past the Imperial Hotel and along to Meadfoot Beach. There are several vantage points along the way to see the swimmers from. Please note this path has a number of steps in places and is not suitable for those with limited mobility. The views are spectacular though.

If the swim is called off due to adverse weather conditions, we will not be able to issue a refund. However, all swimmers will still get their hats and gifts, with all remaining money being donated to the charities.