The English Riviera will host the Agatha Christie Festival 2026 from 12 to 20 September, a nine-day programme designed to attract literary tourists and travel professionals alike. Organised by the English Riviera BID Company and the festival's creative team, the event marks the centenary of The Murder of Roger Ackroyd and the 50th anniversary of both Christie's final Miss Marple novel, Sleeping Murder, and the author's death in 1976.
Fringe and Literary Programmes Drive Destination Appeal
The festival opens with a four-day Fringe Festival (12–15 September) at hidden locations linked to Christie. Highlights include a journey on the Dartmouth Steam Railway, a riverboat cruise on the River Dart, and underground screenings at Kents Cavern. Exclusive events at Greenway House—Christie's former holiday home, now managed by the National Trust—and Ugbrooke House offer premium experiences for high-end travellers. In partnership with the British Red Cross, the festival will present What Agatha Did in the Great War at Torquay Town Hall on 14 September, featuring talks, films, and a tea dance that celebrate Christie's voluntary wartime service.
The Literary Festival begins on 16 September at Torre Abbey, with a dedicated Roger Ackroyd Day on 17 September. Notable speakers include Dr John Curran, Ian Bishop, and Robert Thorogood, alongside authors Lucy Foley, Cathy Rentzenbrink, and Tina Hodgkinson. These sessions provide content for tour operators and travel agents seeking to package literary-themed itineraries.
Matt Newbury, Creative Director of the festival, stated: “We have worked hard to create one of the biggest and most enjoyable Festivals yet.” Carolyn Custerson, CEO of the English Riviera BID Company, added: “This year’s festival is shaping up to be one of our biggest celebrations yet.”
With over 8,000 attendees from 30 countries in 2025, the 2026 edition is expected to draw even larger international audiences. For travel professionals—including hoteliers, cruise lines, and tour operators—the festival offers a proven anchor event to boost shoulder-season bookings in Torquay and the wider Devon region. Similar cultural festivals, such as Chinatown Singapore's Dragon Boat Festival, have demonstrated how heritage programming can drive inbound tourism.
The festival's collaboration with the British Red Cross and local heritage sites like Kents Cavern and Ugbrooke House adds depth for MICE planners seeking unique venue options. Cruise lines operating out of nearby ports, such as Torbay, could integrate shore excursions into itineraries. The event also aligns with broader trends in experiential travel, as seen in Murshidabad Mango Festival 2026, which highlights regional culture for the travel trade.
For travel agents and tour operators, the festival presents opportunities to create packages combining literary tours, steam railway journeys, and river cruises. The English Riviera BID Company is actively promoting the event to international markets, leveraging Christie's global fan base. As the festival grows, it reinforces Torquay's position as a key destination for cultural tourism in the UK.
