This is Part Two of a two-part feature. Click here to read Part One.
We planned a day trip to Greenway, the beautiful holiday home on 36 acres bought by Agatha on the River Dart that featured in a number of her mysteries. We caught a bus to Paignton, where a refurbished steam train makes a stop at Greenway Halt. It runs frequently enough that we had a few hours to spend (you’ll need at least that). There are other ways to get to Greenway, but this was most enjoyable and included a half hour wander through sloping woodlands to get to the estate – good walking shoes are recommended.
There is much to see in addition to the manor house itself; extensive gardens can be reached by lovely trails. From the beautiful boathouse, the scene of the crime in Dead Man’s Folly, tourist boats can be seen plying the River Dart
Greenway House is now owned and run by the National Trust and it was amazing to see the first print collection of her books and the furniture, art and items from the digs that she surrounded herself with. A prolific writer, Christie wrote 80 books and short-story collections plus another six under the pseudonym of Mary Westmacott. See what else Greenway has to offer at: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/greenway
Make sure to save time to walk the boardwalks of Torquay, sipping coffee while overlooking the ocean and gawking at the moored boats and even take a dip in the ocean at one of the extensive beaches. With a thriving town centre, there are good shops and my friend wanted to check out a large and beautiful Tesco store which I later discovered was the original town hall.
We couldn’t pass up having an ale at the town’s oldest pub (1540), the Hole in the Wall, a low-ceilinged, dark affair, filled with patrons – one of whom regaled us with tales of the town.
Once back in London, you can complete the Agatha Christie experience and see her play, The Mousetrap – the longest running play in history, running continuously since 1952!
