Holiday home of Agatha Christie - Greenway

The last day of my short trip to Devon involved a lovely trip to Agatha Christie's holiday home Greenway. 

I have loved reading her novels for years.  Incredibly, she wrote 66 murder mystery novels.

Hercule Poirot feautred in 33 of the novels and Miss Marple featured in 12 of them.

It's a tough one to pick between the two characters, but as Miss Marple knits, I think she would have to be my favourite detective!

I have in a previous blog mentioned how I think it is so cost-effective to be a member of the National Trust.  Not only from the point of view of saving money when visiting places, assuming that you like to do this of course).  But it also helps support many amazing places which are dotted around the country.

As you walk around the initial part of Greenway, you are greeted with a full-sized tennis court, where they have left rackets and balls so you can have your own game.  But it's so fun to think Agatha could well have played here.

There was such a variety of flowers and a very big area that was planted with nature in mind, which was so lovely to see.

I do not think I have seen anywhere a single seat before when I have walked around various grounds.  But I did love this idea.

On the way down to the boathouse at the property I came across this statue that just looked so serene.

The River Dart starts up on Dartmoor and winds it's way 60km down to Dartmouth.  

I have been on the river a handful of times and the river is always busy with activity which is such fun to watch.

Earlier this year Clare Balding - Tales from the River Bank did a great tv show and features going to Greenway.  I highly recommend it, it's a lovely watch.

 

Also if you want to read a book that uses the boathouse as inspiration then Dead Mans Folly is the one to get. 

 

To get to Greenway you can either drive, but please be warned you MUST pre book parking for the National Trust car park.  

 

Or you can come on a by ferry which I would imagine is a lovely way to see the house and gardens.

 

Everything that is on display in the property was once owned by Agatha and her family, which gives it a really homely feel.

This incredibly ornate object I found amazing.  Unfortunately, I did not get any information about it though regarding how it was made and how it came to be in the house.

This is an iconic shot that I think most people associate with Agatha Christie and was so lovely to see it displayed with the other pictures on the piano.

 

 Also in the same room was an incredible collection of such detailed stamps that had been collected.

 This ornate mirror was another very interesting item in the house.

The family tree seemed a very small one, but Agatha had a Grandson Mathew Prichard who now owns the rights to her publications.

 I absolutely loved these very well-used cookbooks in the kitchen.

Agatha Christie's travelled with was her second husband, archaeologist Sir Max Mallowan. They married in 1930 and he was a prominent archaeologist, who led many expeditions in the Middle East. Christie often joined him on these digs, which influenced her writing, particularly in "Death on the Nile" and "Murder in Mesopotamia".

I also loved to see her wardrobe and could so imagine her wearing the clothes, but I think that is down to the amazing way they have filmed her book adaptations over the years.

The suitcase in the wardrobe also looked very well used.  The brushes on the stands look nothing like the types we use nowadays.

The house had two living rooms, but this was my favourite with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves containing so many books.

I remember from watching Claire Baldings tv show that she said Agatha herself had placed the cork on the end of the doorstop snake as the tongue was very sharp and could cause some serious damage.

I do so love having a tea and scone when I visit the National trust and this flavour combination did not disappoint.

Before heading home a spot of crochet with the house as the backdrop and the classic wooden deckchair was just so nice.