Chapter 4
Poisonous Plants and Perilous Endings
With so much to discover, we will start the day with a visit to 800-year-old Torre Abbey. There’s a whole special area we can share within the Abbey Gardens, but for now we are holding this secret! After a wonderful lunch we will explore Torquay Museum and find some treasures within…
2 Guests - please ask about additional guests
7 Days a Week: 9am to 5pm
Full Day Excursion
Price from £225 for up to two people
Melanie13 April 2026Had an amazing two days with Maria aka Miss Lemon 😀 She escorted me to Greenways on the one day and Burgh Island for an amazing tea on the other day. Maria was exceptionally knowledgeable and so very kind and caring, and these two days were definitely the highlight of my trip. She made sure that everything ran smoothly, and l will definitely be booking other tours with her next year when l return and am already planning this. Thank you again the most amazing Miss Lemon 🍋Fiona Hawthorn26 March 2026From the moment of first contact Maria (Miss Lemon) was the epitome of efficiency and helpfulness. She was incredibly responsive and went over and above to help not only with details of the tours but also travel arrangements, restaurant and hotel recommendations and even assisted with some onward travel due to confusion over tide times! Our Queen of Crime tour started in Torquay with the brilliant Graham and despite the good old British Weather we had the most engaging and informative morning. We were then met by Miss Lemon and whisked off to Cockington the inspiration for St Mary Mead for tea and scones and more walking, stories, facts and fun. This tour is a must for any Christie enthusiast and we would love to come back and try some of the other tours. Massive thanks to Miss Lemon (and a plea to organise the rest of my life please!) If you are thinking of booking, don't hesitate!Amanda Sebestyen28 February 2026Marvellous Miss Lemon -- aka Maria! What a great experience for an Agatha Christie fanatic like me, to learn so much more and visit beautiful places which I could never have seen otherwise . I knew that Greenway House was 'the loveliest place in the world' , but never realised that it was full of treasures which the whole family had collected. It was never dark or overcrowded, full of light everywhere. Primroses all along the path outside , and fresh flowers everywhere inside the house. Miss Lemon was there to tell me so many things I might have missed, like sending me back to read 'Dead Man's Folly' which is actually set in a fictional Greenway --- it's amazing how Agatha has you laughing out loud at all the social comedy of the garden party and then takes you somewhere much darker. Thanks to Maria I also visited the bookshop and found Charles Osborne's 'The Life & Crimes of Agatha Christie' as well as some lovely gifts. We then went to Pockington, the village that inspired Miss Marple's St Mary Mead. Stunning thatched cottages and a beautiful park. Winding up with a drive round Torquay itself, to see buildings where Agatha worked as a nurse and then as a dispenser with a pharmacy of poisons and medicines which she came to know so well... This was far beyond anything I could have expected, and I really am so grateful for all Maria's intelligent thought and care. Being physically unfit, the personal shaping of this tour to my needs was an extra bonus. Many many thanks!Mark Jenkins15 December 2025An absolutely exceptional tour. Miss Lemon was particularly communicative in the lead-up to our tour, curating our itinerary to fit in with the tide times as we were staying on Burgh Island. On the day, the weather meant that the sea tractor was not running, so our time with Miss Lemon and Graham was severely curtailed. Despite this, we had excellent tours of Torquay and Cockington and would not have any regrets in recommending them to any other travellers.RaeAnne Finch12 October 2025Miss Lemon and Poirot (Graham) were truly AMAZING guides for our visits to Torquay, Greenway House AND Burgh Island. I can honestly say they were the best tour guides I’ve had. They were friendly, knowledgable, engaging, and FUN to be with. I learned so much more about Agatha Christie and about this beautiful part of England she loved so dearly. The experience was brought to life and made so much more meaningful having knowledgable guides to tour and interact with! Thank you Miss Lemon 🍋 and Graham!Florian14 September 2025What a great experience! We booked a private tour to Burgh Island because it is very hard to get there without a car. Maria knows the hotel staff and was not only able to spontanously book us a table for cream tea, but also show us around a bit. We had private time to explore the island and enjoy our tea. Maria is very nice and well-informed about Agatha Christie. We had a fantastic trip and would totally reccomend!Chris P26 August 2025Maria aka Miss Lemon is a true angel as she took care of my wife and daughter during their trip to Torquay. She knows all the best things to visit especially if you are a fan of Agatha Christie. You can rely on her like a member of your family. Highly recommendedJohn Hogan28 July 2025Our tour from Torquay to Burgh Island and then onto The Moorland Hotel in Dartmoor with Miss Lemon was perfect. After days of getting to the trains and ferries on time, it was so relaxing to place ourselves in capable hands and have all the logistics taken care of. Miss Lemon is an area local, an Agatha Christie expert and a sparkling conversationalist. We thoroughly enjoyed her company during our drives and she was the perfect addition to our Agatha Christie pilgrimage Highly recommended!Susan Willis22 July 2025What an amazing visit I had to Burgh Island. Miss Lemon was prompt collecting me at my hotel and had organised my visit with tide times because I wanted to go over onto the island by sea-tractor. Her forethought and knowledge of the area made the visit a fabulous experience and I can wholeheartedly recommend this tour company.Päivi Toikka11 July 2025Our visit to Burgh Island with Maria was the highlight of our Devon trip! We had a lovely day with her, she was beyond helpful and if you're an Agatha Christie fan with plans to see the island, leaving everything to Miss Lemon's capable hands is absolutely the way to do it.
Details & Itinerary
Torre Abbey is exquisite and full of treasures showing its 800 years of history. The gardens hold a hidden gem, a garden dedicated to Agatha’s poisonous plants which delight and frighten equally! Today should include lunch at the Imperial Hotel, where Poirot and Hastings once sat and talked with Magdala “Nick” Buckley (Peril at End House). The hotel was also visited by Miss Marple (Body in the library). Miss Lemon will be delighted to share these wonderful venues and stories.
So much to do so little time! As we move onwards to Torquay Museum for the afternoon, where the only permanent Agatha Christie Gallery can be found, amazing images from the family archive, costumes from television series, even the silver swan walking stick used by David Suchet for over 20 years as he portrayed Poirot. Step inside Poirot’s study and lounge, with its art deco style.
After all this excitement during your first few days maybe it’s time to spend a few hours relaxing in one our many spas, as you are aware by now Miss Lemon can arrange it all.
Pricing
- Price from £225 for up to two people
- Includes entry to Torre Abbey and Torquay Museum
- Includes Miss Lemon as travel companion
- Refreshments and meals not included
Schedule
What You Should Bring
Best Times for This Excursion
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you collect me from an airport or railway station?
Yes absolutely, in fact we would love to do so, as it gives us chance to get to know each other before our wonderful custom days out.
Do you mix groups of travellers?
No, this is very much a private tour, custom made and tailored for single or duo travellers. We want you to write your own travel story and so exclusivity is really important to us.
Can I bring a dog?
Well behaved dogs are welcome on walks, but unfortunately, we can’t transport them in our own vehicle. Some venues and attractions also do not allow dogs (other than guide dogs), so please do chat to us before booking with English Riviera Custom Tours.
Can you arrange my accommodation?
While we ask you to book directly, we are very happy to offer guidance and suggestions using our extensive local knowledge. We also work closely with some providers and ask you mention English Riviera Custom Tours at the time of booking, to ensure you receive any preferential rates.
Can I book all year round?
Absolutely! The English Riviera has a mild climate and benefits from some of the best weather anywhere in the UK. There are some attractions and venues that operate with more opening times through the high season, but we are an all year round destination and welcome guests throughout the year.
I am thinking of hiring a car, can you help me with that?
We can certainly provide information for local car hire.
Do I need special walking clothes and equipment?
While we say no, obviously we ask you to consider your footwear for our lovely walks. The English Riviera coastline is stunning and every opportunity to see crystal clear waters and our rich geological landscape cannot be missed. So comfortable and appropriate clothing is essential. We can provide walking poles if needed. The Dartmoor chapter is probably the most important to consider layers of clothing, as it can change so quickly on the rugged moors.
Do I need to be a very good walker?
For most of our walks, no. We consider all the practical elements (including toilet stops) and terrain and so will assess your booked tours in advance for you. Some of the coastal walks have some undulating terrain and so a reasonable level of walking ability is needed. If you are unsure before choosing your custom tour, please ask.
I am driving to the area, what are the roads like and the parking?
Devon has more roads than any other UK county ( fun fact!) and while we have plenty of great major roads, some of our country roads can be a little challenging for first time users. Reversing skills need to be honed! Greenway House only allows prebooked parking – but all other attractions here on the English Riviera have good parking facilities. But do not worry, Miss Lemon will ensure you have all the info you require for each adventure.
What’s the weather like?
Well everyone knows we British are obsessed with the weather, so Miss Lemon will keep you updated on whether you need your suncream or your winter woollies, so do not fear! After all, there’s no such thing as bad weather, just inappropriate clothing!
I’ve heard of wild swimming, what is it?
Really it is just a posh name for sea swimming, but we do take it very seriously here on the English Riviera. Both Miss Lemons are seasoned all year round swimmers and so are very safety conscious and aware of the power of the sea. But if you’d like to give it a go, we suggest a sunrise swim for the most perfect start to the day. Let us custom make your day and maybe add a swim every morning – you might just love it!
I would love to find some great eateries, can you help me with this?
Definitely! We are happy to make bookings and recommendations and have some really great places to eat on the English Riviera. There really is something for everyone and we might even share some of our best kept secrets!
Have you got a question we haven’t thought of? Please drop us a note and ask us, Miss Lemon is here to take care of your every need.