Agatha Christie loved Devon. She was born here in 1890. She drew on the Devon landscape for inspiration – including for the best-selling mystery novel of all time, 1939's And Then There Were None. And for much of her life, she lived here – dividing her time between her childhood home in Torquay and the magnificent Greenway Estate in Galmpton.
Today, Greenway is managed by the National Trust and is open to the public.
Is it worth a visit? You bet. Whether you're a mystery buff or are simply looking for things to do near Dartmouth, you're bound to enjoy exploring its curious corners and gorgeous gardens.
Let's discover it together.
Take one look at Greenway today and you'll understand why Christie called it 'the loveliest place in the world'.
Yes – this location is a property developer's dream. Set on a secluded swerve of the mighty River Dart, the Greenway Estate is as picturesque as they come.
Our forebears certainly thought so. While the current house dates back to the 18th century, records show that a dwelling has existed on the site for at least 400 years.
The original Tudor property was called 'Greenway Court' and was owned by the illustrious Gilbert family. During this period, the house hosted Sir Walter Raleigh – one of the most famous soldiers and explorers of his day.
The property you see today was built circa 1780 by a subsequent owner, who purportedly bankrupted himself in the process. The expense was worth it, though. With its white facade and neat rows of windows, Greenway House remains one of Devon's most impressive examples of Georgian architecture.
Agatha Christie had long loved Greenway when she bought the house in 1938. After all, she had grown up in a grand Victorian mansion in nearby Torquay. It's hardly surprising that she was familiar with the gorgeous Georgian estate down the road.
To have finally purchased the property she'd coveted since childhood must have felt like a dream come true. Indeed, Christie described Greenway as 'the ideal house, a dream house'.
The author owned several homes over her life – but Greenway was special. It became a beloved holiday home – a place for her family to recharge and regroup after their many travels around the world.
During these special holidays, Christie's family and friends would play croquet, relax alongside the River Dart and enjoy the beauty of the estate. They'd also listen to Christie read extracts of her latest mystery stories. It must have been riveting to hear such intricate tales regaled by the woman who wove them.
Christie and her husband, the archaeologist Max Mallowan, lived at the house intermittently until their deaths in 1976 and 1978.
As far as we know, Christie didn't write any of her bestselling novels at Greenway. However, the Greenway Estate certainly inspired some of her best-remembered mysteries.
That includes 1956's Dead Man's Folly, which sees Hercule Poirot investigate a chilling murder at a curiously familiar country mansion. And 1958's Ordeal by Innocence, which is set across the river from Greenway. The latter novel also includes references to a nearby town called 'Drymouth'. (Ahem – Dartmouth, anyone?)
Greenway has made the leap from page to screen, too, with several TV adaptations of Christie's novels using the estate as a filming location. Examples include 1984's Ordeal by Innocence and a 2013 episode of ITV's long-running Poirot series based on Dead Man's Folly.
Greenway is just as magical today as it's ever been.
It's a grand old home. But it feels cosy, homely and lived-in, thanks in no small part to the National Trust's careful conservation efforts.
Pay it a visit and you'll feel like you've taken a short trip back to 1955. Each room is furnished with period-appropriate items, including treasures from Christie's personal collection. That includes the Fax Room, where first editions of her novels are on display – a real treat for Agatha addicts.
Head to the drawing room, meanwhile, and you'll find genuine items of furniture from Christie's childhood home in Torquay. Among these gems is her beloved Steinway grand piano, which she would play for her family and friends – but never in public.
And let's not forget the garden. Lovingly restored and maintained, this tranquil patch of paradise boasts some of the best river views in Devon. Highlights include the Walled Gardens, with their pretty greenhouse and gazebo, and the Battery – a real defensive fort left over from the Napoleonic Wars.
Thinking of visiting Greenway House on your Devon adventure? You're in for a treat. Here are the key things you need to know:
· The estate is open daily throughout summer and most of autumn. Come November, it opens on weekends only. For more information, check the opening times on the National Trust website.
· You can check the National trust website to see the current prices for visiting Greenway. National Trust members go free.
· You don't need to book a slot in advance – you can simply turn up at a time to suit you. However, you do need to book a parking spot.
· The estate is partly accessible, with step-free access to the ground floor and to areas of the garden. However, other parts of the estate, including the upper floors of the house, may be difficult to navigate for some people.
Maybe you're planning a whistle-stop tour of South Devon. Or perhaps you're a Christie fan who wants to trace the life and times of a literary giant.
In any case, our holiday cottages are unbeatable as a base of operations. Staying at Flear Farm puts you a few short miles from Greenway Estate – and within easy driving distance of South Hams' most memorable historical attractions.
And, of course, comfort comes part and parcel. We have cottages for large and small groups – all equipped with luxury amenities and sporting delightfully unique period features.
Who knows? You might be inspired to write your own best-seller. Take a look at our range of luxury South Devon holiday cottages to get those literary cogs turning.
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