Agatha Christie's Holiday Home in Devon
Agatha Christie’s former vacation home, Greenway, opened to the public for the first time in February of 2009 following a two-year renovation. Americans who join The Royal Oak Foundation, the U.S. affiliate of the National Trust which owns the estate, gain complimentary access to the writer’s haven as well as all other National Trust properties which include more than 300 historic houses and gardens, 700 miles of coastline, and 620,000 acres of open countryside for $55 per person or $90 per family.
Christie made Greenway her holiday home from 1938 until 1959. Visitors will find a house that
portrays the spirit of a holiday home in its 1950s heyday where the mystery writer gathered with her family and friends, often to celebrate a novel just completed for publication. While she did not pen a novel here, the home and garden are the setting for three of her novels -- “Dead Man’s Folly,” “Five Little Pigs” and “Ordeal by Innocence.”
Greenway is reached through the lovely Devon village of Galmpton two miles away, and is a small house to which can only admit 20 people every ten minutes. A traffic management system is operated to reduce traffic impact on Galmpton and encourage people whenever possible to travel by greenways to Greenway.
Visitors arriving by car MUST pre-book parking several days in advance either by web or by phone (01803 842382). Please note that there is NO parking in the village or on the lane to Greenway and that ALL un-booked cars WILL BE TURNED AWAY.
Visitors wishing to arrive by greenways to Greenway may:
WALK via the Dart Valley Trail or the John Musgrave Trail (parking Noss, Kingswear or Dartmouth and Brixham park and ride)
Catch a FERRY from Dartmouth, Dittisham, Brixham and Torquay. Please contact Greenway Ferry service on 0845 489 0418 or www.greenwayferry.co.uk Please allow at least FOUR hours parking from whichever destination you travel from.
Cycle
Catch a bus: Riverlink 01803 834488
Allow around three hours for your visit to Greenway. Timed tickets will be allocated to the house on arrival. On busy days, you may have to wait for up to two hours to gain entry, during which time you will be able to enjoy the garden, barn gallery, café and shop. Please expect queues occasionally during peak season.
In addition to the rooms open to daily visitors, part of the house is available as a holiday apartment, continuing Greenway’s legacy as a vacation retreat, accommodating up to 10. The apartment is located over two floors and is decorated as it was when the house was refurbished for “modern living” in 1938. However, it still reflects the essence of the house in the 1950s, and spacious, elegant rooms offer views of the garden and the River Dart. The holiday apartment can be booked via the National Trust Holiday Cottages or at www.nationaltrustcottages.co.uk.
Murder and Mystery on the English Riviera
Duration 6 nights/7 days
Based Torquay (3 nights), London (3 nights)
Thursday
Friday
Born here in 1870, take a special walking tour of the town which highlights the life, times and sources of inspiration for the Queen of Crime Writers. Afternoon at leisure to explore. This evening your murder-mystery weekend begins.
Saturday
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday