Friday 19th September 2025, 12:00am

Agatha Christie's Devon

Laura Thompson


Agatha Christie travelled the world, but Devon always had her heart: in 1922 she described South Africa as 'like all beautiful places, just like Torquay!' This talk will explore her relationship - both personal and literary - with her childhood home Ashfield, with Greenway House, and with the county that she loved so deeply.

Laura Thompson's biography Agatha Christie: A Mysterious Life was reissued in 2020 and nominated for an Edgar Allan Poe award in the US. She has appeared in several documentaries about Christie. Other books include the New York Times bestseller The Six: The Lives of the Mitford Sisters, the Crime Writers’ Award-nominated Rex v Edith Thompson, A Different Class of Murder: The Story of Lord Lucan and The Last Landlady, a memoir of her grandmother.

Venue: Spanish Barn, Torre Abbey


Accessibility

There is a drop-off point and limited parking within the grounds for disabled visitors. Entry to the Spanish Barn is relatively level, but there are a few cobble stones to cross, before entering the completely flat interior. We have space for wheelchairs, although if you let us know in advance, we can ensure that there is ample dedicated space for the number of wheelchair users. We have again raised the height of the main stage this year, so that guest speakers can easily be seen and have a hearing loop in the front half of the Barn nearest the stage. We also have two TV screens midway down the barn screening what is happening on the stage. There is a disabled toilet available to the rear of the Spanish Barn.

If you have any particular access requirements or enquiries, do please get in touch and we will do whatever we feasibly can to accommodate you. Please email admin@iacf-uk.org

Getting there

Getting to the venue

The Spanish Barn is in the grounds of Torre Abbey. This is on Torquay seafront and walkable from most hotels in the area. It is also right next to Torquay Train Station.

Parking

There is no parking in the grounds of Torre Abbey except for disabled parking. The nearest car park is Torre Valley - Torbay Council. This is a five-minute walk from the Spanish Barn.

Toilets

Toilets are available to the rear of the Spanish Barn for the duration of the Literary Festival.

Inside the Spanish Barn

Whilst we have no evening events in the Spanish Barn this year, it can get cold so please dress with this in mind.

Food and Drink

The cafe at Torre Abbey is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am till 4pm and is dog friendly.

A short 10-minute walk away from the Spanish Barn are a variety of cafes, bars and takeaways.

Dogs

Dogs, except for assistance dogs, are not allowed in the Spanish Barn.

If you have any further questions, please email admin@iacf-uk.org

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