Torquay Museum

Torquay Museum is one of the South West's most beloved regional museums, offering a rich journey through the remarkable history of the English Riviera. Housed in an elegant Victorian building in the heart of Torquay, the museum boasts an eclectic and engaging collection spanning prehistoric finds, natural history, local archaeology, and world cultures. Highlights include artefacts from Kents Cavern — one of Britain's most important prehistoric sites — alongside fascinating exhibits on the geology and wildlife of the surrounding coastline. Perhaps most famously, the museum is home to a dedicated Agatha Christie gallery, celebrating Torquay's most celebrated daughter with personal memorabilia, photographs, and insights into her extraordinary life and writing career. Visitors can easily spend a couple of hours wandering through the thoughtfully curated galleries, making it a perfect rainy-day activity or a cultural complement to a beach holiday. The museum is especially popular with families, as the varied exhibits keep children engaged alongside adults, and there are often hands-on activities and temporary exhibitions throughout the year. Fans of detective fiction will find the Agatha Christie connection particularly thrilling — it adds a uniquely glamorous literary dimension to what is already a wonderfully eclectic collection. Guests staying at The Cleveland Bed and Breakfast are ideally placed to visit, as the museum is just a short journey into central Torquay. It's well worth checking the museum's website in advance for details of any special events or temporary exhibitions during your stay. Entry is very reasonably priced, and the on-site café makes it easy to round off your visit with a relaxing cup of tea before heading back out to explore the town.