Guest blog - Agatha Christie’s underground Devon

Few authors are as closely tied to Devon as Agatha Christie. Born in Torquay in 1890, her legacy is celebrated across the county, and during September the International Agatha Christie Festival draws fans from around the world to The English Riviera.

This year, visitors exploring Exeter’s historic streets and cultural heritage can add a unique twist - a short trip to Torquay’s Kents Cavern Prehistoric Caves, where archaeology and literature intertwine in an unforgettable way.

Christie and the cavern connection

In her early novel The Man in the Brown Suit (1924), Christie reimagined the caves as the fictional “Hampsley Cavern”. The detail with which she describes the archaeological layers is remarkable. Christie grew up at a time when her father, Frederick Miller, contributed to the excavation work at Kents Cavern. Surrounded by local knowledge and fascinated by archaeology herself, Christie was well placed to draw inspiration from the finds and atmosphere of the caves.

A festival of mystery underground

To celebrate these ties, Kents Cavern is hosting two special events as part of the International Agatha Christie Festival in September:

Agatha Underground Tour - Tuesday 16th September

Step into the passages of Britain’s oldest home with a dedicated guide. This one-off tour delves into The Man in the Brown Suit, exploring how Christie’s words mirror the archaeology uncovered at Kents Cavern, and revealing the unique local connection between author, excavation and fiction.

Agatha Christie Cave Cinema - Monday 15th to Wednesday 17th September

Experience movie magic underground as Kents Cavern transforms into a cinema like no other. Across three evenings, classic Christie film adaptations will be screened in the atmospheric setting of the caves. Audiences are invited to sit beneath millions of years of history as they watch her timeless mysteries come alive on screen.

Both events bring together heritage, literature and atmosphere in a way that perfectly complements the wider IACF programme.

Britain’s oldest home

Beyond Agatha, Kents Cavern stands as one of Europe’s most important Stone Age sites. Archaeological excavations here uncovered tools used by Neanderthals and early modern humans, as well as remains of Ice Age animals such as woolly mammoths and cave lions. The caves are now a Scheduled Ancient Monument, with evidence of continuous human occupation stretching back more than 40,000 years.

Today, expert guides bring that deep history to life on daily tours, leading visitors through spectacular chambers and passages carved by nature over two million years. Above ground, woodland trails, children’s activities, and a welcoming café make Kents Cavern a year-round family destination, as much about discovery as it is about atmosphere.

Culture above and below ground

Exeter’s streets are steeped in history, from the soaring Cathedral to the city’s own medieval underground passages. It’s a city that thrives on heritage, making a trip to Torquay and Kents Cavern a natural extension for visitors wanting to dig deeper, both literally and figuratively, into Devon’s past.

Plan your visit

Whether you’re a lifelong Christie fan, a culture-seeker in Exeter or simply looking for an unforgettable experience, Kents Cavern’s Agatha Christie events are a highlight of September’s Devon calendar.

Tickets are limited and sell quickly. Full details and booking at Kents Cavern.