Explore the ruins of this 400-year-old abbey, which are filled with historical interest and in the care of English Heritage. Attraction type: Historic site; Art museum; Landmark/point of interest; Architectural building; History museum

This newly renovated pavilion is located along the seafront promenade, giving visitors easy access to the beaches and Fleet Walk shopping within walking distance.

Fans of Agatha Christie mysteries will love this museum, which displays unique personal photographs and other items related to the famous author's life and career.

Discover more about this popular and intriguing writer by following this one-mile trail that leads to places she knew and loved: along the busy harbor and stretching along the palm-lined seafront and promenades.

This site has special meaning for Agatha Christie readers who are avid fans of Hercule Poirot and Jane Marple.

Torquay is on the northern side of Torbay and is acknowledged to be one of England's premier seaside resorts.

As a resort its history covers less than 150 years but there are features still existing in the town which are identified with considerably earlier times including Kent's Cavern where traces of early man have been found.

Torquay owes its beginning as a modern resort to the Napoleonic Wars when ships of the British Fleet used Torbay as a safe anchorage and houses sprang up on shore to accommodate the wives and families of officers. From the middle of the nineteenth century and with the arrival of the railway in the mid-1850's progress was rapid and today the town is firmly established as one of the leading resort in the South West of England.

Built on seven hills Torquay is famed for the many sub-tropical plants and palms many of which flourish in the open. Whether laden with spring blossom, in the full bloom of summer, or glorious with autumn tints, the public gardens are a scene of great splendour.

Torquay is the birthplace of Agatha Christie with several of her stories being set in and around the town.

It was built with money from Agatha Christie's family and is the church where Agatha Christie was baptised on November 20th. 1890 and where she worshipped as a child, the same marble font is still in use. All Saints Torre is an Anglo Catholic Church linked to Forward in Faith and under the pastoral responsibility of the Bishop of Ebbsfleet. It has always witnessed in Torbay to the full Catholic sacramental tradition and ministry of the Church of England.

The parish is thought to have been first established in the 6th.century when the church of St. Petroc is alleged to have been built on a site about five minutes walk from All Saints. A church certainly did exist on that site on Tor Church Road before the 11th. century when the Premonstratensian Canons came over from France and built Torre Abbey, about 10 minutes walk away, when it was then renamed "St.Saviour's" by the monks. It is now used by a Greek Orthodox congregation and public access is severely restricted.

Today, thousands of visitors still enjoy Torquays sophisticated charm, which combined with modem attractions, and amenities have produced a truly first class resort. There is an abundance of pavement cafes, pubs, restaurants and nightlife, good quality shops and a host of family attractions. Enjoy-the superb beaches and spectacular views from cliff top coastal paths or simply stroll along the elegant seafront promenades.

Torquay also boasts a number of heritage sites including Torre Abbey and Kents Cavern while literary associations include the world's greatest mystery writer, Dame Agatha Christie.

Follow the Agatha Christie Trail and discover the Torquay that inspired her ever-popular detective stories.