Greenway

I've just provided you with a post on Dartmouth, but that wasn't really our destination, which was this place set among rolling Devonshire hills and valleys:

We obviously have a largish country home, but perhaps not that of the nobility. Who owns most of the large homes visited by the British these day? Well, the National Trust. Well done. You're looking at a National Trust property of some wealthy family somewhere near Dartmouth. Can you see any other clues as to where we are? Probably not, so I'll provide you with one more picture:

This is a bit of a give-away. Of course, you're looking at Agatha Christie's summer retreat, Greenway, high above the Dart valley near Dartmouth. I suspect that Hercule Poirot or Miss Marple would have arrived at the answer more quickly. The house is maintained almost exactly how she left it back in the 1960s, but visitors are not allowed to take pictures inside. I respected this, but have the official guide which you can borrow to see the family's living quarters.

Apart from the very interesting house, where an attendant even played Agatha's favourite piano pieces on her Steinway, there were attractive and extensive grounds. I was taken by the head gardener on a tour and he not only knew his plants, but also Agatha herself ... he'd been there so long. The final picture shows an exhibition of contemporary sculpture in an area close to the house. By the way, the famous crime author was one of a long line of owners going back to the 16th century.

It's a nice outing one can only recommend, especially if you wish to relive post-war Britain.

AS