8th – 10th Sepetember 2023

Dame Agatha Christie, the famous crime novelist, short story writer and playwright lived in Wallingford for over 40 years on the outskirts of the town and died in her Winterbrook House Home in 1976.

To commemorate her life, Wallingford Town Council has commissioned a life size bronze statue of her, funded by an Arts Grant. The statue will be unveiled on Saturday 9th September at 12pm, and a host of creative events will be on offer over the weekend to entertain the local community and visitors alike.

Please see the full schedule of the event programme – from family fun to talks by historians – with booking information below:

Friday 8th September

  • Wallingford Library –  15.30 Agatha Christie Cuppa and Quiz

Bring a friend or come solo, meet other like-minded Agatha Christie fans and pitch your wits to see if you can win our mystery prize!  This event is aimed at adults, children’s activity sheets will be available.  Tel: 01491 837395

  • Wallingford Corn Exchange  – 19.30

Academic, author and historian, specialising in the world of Agatha Christie, Mark Aldridge will talk on ‘Hercule Poirot – A Life in Crime‘ with an introduction by Judy Dewey, Wallingford Museum historian and curator. £15pp. Pre-booking recommended. www.cornexchange.org.uk

Saturday 9th  September

  • Agatha Christie – Statue Unveil –  Midday, The Kinecroft

Official unveiling of the Agatha Christie bronze statue by her grandson, Mathew Prichard.  Open to all – booking not required.

  • Cholsey & Wallingford Railway 12.30, 14.00 and 15.30

Ride the Bunkline from Wallingford to Cholsey with the option of a Children’s Mystery Treasure Hunt. Refreshments available.  Adult £12, Child (3 – 18) £5, plus £5 per group (max 4) for the Treasure Hunt. www.cholsey-wallingford-railway.com

  • Guided Walks of Christie’s Wallingford – 14.30

Guided Walks in Agatha Christie’s Wallingford, with a touch of Midsumer Murders!  Walks start from Wallingford Museum. Approx. 1½ hours. £10pp. Booking advised www.wallingfordmuseum.org.uk

  • Wallingford Corn Exchange – 15.30 *SOLD OUT*

Chief Curator at Historic Royal Palaces and a hugely popular writer, broadcaster and speaker, Lucy Worsley will talk on ‘Agatha Christie, a very elusive woman’, followed by a Question & Answer session and book signing.  £25pp. www.cornexchange.org.uk

  • Wallingford Museum – 19.30

‘Who Dunnit’ challenge – Use clues to find your way around the Museum’s nooks, crannies and exhibits, and learn more about Agatha Christie while detecting the answers that will solve the murder!  £5pp (Adults and children over 12). Booking essential.
www.wallingfordmuseum.org.uk

  • Cholsey and Wallingford Railway – 19.00

Dress-up for the Bunkline ‘Who Dunnit’ with performers from After Dark, riding the Cholsey Express in a 1930s themed murder mystery. Includes chilli and arrival drink. £80 per couple, or £140 for a table of four.
www.cholsey-wallingford-railway.com/murder-mystery

  • Interactive Mystery Experience 10am – 2pm (free to access, no booking required)

The marketplace will become an interactive performance space for a cast of professional actors from The Experiences Group. From charming detectives to cunning villains, question suspects and gather clues with friends and family.

Sunday 10th September

  • Guided Walks – 10.00am and 2.00pm
    Guided Walks     in Agatha Christie’s Wallingford, with a touch of Midsumer Murders!  Walks start from Wallingford Museum. Approx. 1½ hours. £10pp.  Booking advised. www.wallingfordmuseum.org.uk
  • Cholsey & Wallingford Railway – 11.00, 12.30, 14.00 and 15.30.

Ride the Bunkline from Wallingford to Cholsey station where it’s possible to disembark and walk to Agatha Christie’s grave at St Mary’s Church, Cholsey. Adult £12, Child (3 – 18) £5.www.cholsey-wallingford-railway.com

  • Queen of Crime Afternoon Teas 2.30pm – 4.30pm. Enjoy Sunday afternoon in the elegant surroundings of Wallingford Town Hall, with tea and cake for £5 a head and a community book exchange with a murder mystery theme. www.visitwallingford.uk

Open throughout the weekend

  • Wallingford Museum:  Special Exhibition: ‘At Home with the Queen of Crime’

Takes you behind the scenes to Agatha’s home life, featuring photographs of her at Winterbrook House and memories of local people who met her. Read her handwritten letters revealing her love of pantomimes and her gradual frustration as her health declined. For special weekend opening hours visit www.wallingfordmuseum.org.uk

  • St Mary’s Church, Cholsey

Visit the grave where Agatha Christie is buried and discover the beautiful ancient church where she and Max Mallowan worshipped.  The church is situated a three-mile country walk along the Agatha Christie trail from Wallingford; a pleasant ten-minute walk from the Bunk-line train at Cholsey Station; or come by car, or bus.

  • Open air cinema in Castle Gardens *Now moved to Centre 70*

A selection of murder mystery films will be screened at a free cinema in Centre 70 throughout the weekend. Enjoy British Cinema and original classics including 39 Steps, And Then There Were None, Sherlock Holmes and the Voice Of Terror, Sherlock Holmes and the Spider Woman, Murder On The Orient Express.

Eating & Drinking Out Events

  • Murder at Mollies on Saturday night join actors from Burgh Island. Work out ‘Who Dunnit’ over a three-course sampling menu. £65pp. Tel: 07828198693, sarah@southmoretonfitnessclub.com
  • The Shellfish Cow is organising a Murder Mystery Quiz with prizes during dinner service on Friday and Saturday night, with a special Murder cocktail.  Or take afternoon tea on Saturday from 12 – 4 with a selection of homemade cakes. Tel 01491 832807,  wallingford@shellfishcow.co.uk
  • The Five Little Pigs is creating some bespoke dishes and cocktails inspired by Agatha Christie using local produce and suppliers to create outstanding British cuisine. Tel: 01491 833999, www.fivelittlepigs.co.uk
  • The Cross Keys is offering a “Murder Burger” with a varied beer selection. No need to book just pop in. Tel: 01491 915888.
  • Pizza Café will be serving up a “Poirot Pizza”. Just pop in.
  • Les Clos will have a special Wine Offering. Tel: 01491 598151
  • Avanti – Italian Restaurant serving up some twists. Tel: 01491 835500.

Information sourced from the Wallingford town council website – www.wallingfordtowncouncil.org.uk