Agatha Christie

We find ourselves in Devon again. It's a fairly annual event. Last year we came down loaded with our English Heritage card. We made the most of it during our stay by visiting places like Totnes Castle, and Berry Pomeroy. This year we have no English Heritage card. We have swapped. We now have membership of the National Trust. Slightly different to English Heritage as if it rains then with National Trust you find that most sites have a good, solid roof on it. This was not always the case with English Heritage. The odd afternoon stood sheltering in Abbey archways is proof positive of this.

So, armed with our bright orange National Trust cards we begin adventures in Devon. One of the places that was on our list was Greenway. The holiday home of Agatha Christie. It's a property that clings to the banks of the river Dart. Up river from Kingswear & Dartmouth. There are a few ways to visit the property. We pre-booked a car parking space. However, you have the option of arriving by steam train from Paignton. If you are feeling a little more extravagant, you could drive through Totnes and then get the ferry from the village of Dittisham, across the river and then walk up to the house (above).

Either way provides for an attractive route in. It's a fairly extensive estate all told. An old estate as well. It was established in 15th century but the Georgian house, which has been extended was created in the 18th century. Agatha Christie and her husband bought the property in 1938 as a holiday retreat. As I've said, it's set in extensive grounds which, ultimately, lead you to the banks of the river Dart. It is a very serene view and like the photo below you can perhaps understand why they bought the property.

There is also, obviously, a boathouse directly on the river. There are a lot of boathouses on the river Dart. This one though was the scene of one of Agatha Christies murders in the book Dead Mans Folly. It must be wonderfully pleasant to have access to a boat house. I imagine they boated quite a lot.

Though after a good days worth of boating the climb back up to the house is fairly steep and arduous. Not quite for the faint hearted. The gardens, both extensive, and well matured are quite pretty. The garden also contains the longest peach house in Devon. As well as peaches, which we did not see evidence of in the peach house, they grow; grapes, figs, lemons...

It is a jewel in the National Trust crown for sure. The house itself remarkably pleasant. Neither too big, nor too small. It trades on the name of the owner. The worldwide fame provides a steady flow of tourists, and the tills ringing. 

Just how prolific is Agatha Christie? Well, here is her entire output. Every single one is a first edition. These date from the 1920's to the 1970's. First editions. I'm so envious...

...yet, I have walked around the her house, taken in the views she saw. Stood in her favourite room, her library. 

Quite a treat.