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Things to see in Greenway House

The Drawing Room at Greenway in Devon. Floral patterned sofas and chairs face each other surrounding a marble fireplace with large gold mirror above. Cabinets filled with ceramics line the walls.
The Drawing Room at Greenway | © National Trust Images/Andreas von Einsiedel

Discover the holiday home of Agatha Christie and her family. Find out more about the favourite rooms used by the family and the treasures they collected, Agatha’s personal collection of books in the Library and first edition novels.

Agatha Christie's holiday home

Agatha Christie called Greenway 'the loveliest place in the world' and treasured it as a holiday home for her and her family. They filled it with items dear to them, brought to Greenway from Ashfield, Agatha's childhood home, and from their travels and extensive collections.

It's easy to imagine Agatha and her family spending relaxed summer days or cosy Christmas holidays here. Everywhere you turn in the house there's an item waiting to speak to you about its history.

A bookshelf full of different Agatha Christie novels at her home, Greenway in Devon.
Agatha Christie novels at Greenway | © National Trust Images/Andreas von Einsiedel

Drawing Room

The Drawing Room is furnished with items from Agatha’s childhood home in Torquay, Ashfield. This is where the family would gather for games and to hear the first readings of Agatha’s new manuscripts.

It's also home to Agatha’s Steinway piano. Although Agatha trained as a concert pianist, she was too shy to perform in public. Her Steinway is a Boudoir Grand Piano and dates back to the late 1800s.

Agatha's bedroom

At the front of the house, Agatha's bedroom has some of the best views of the River Dart. The bedroom includes Agatha's mother-of-pearl inlaid chest which she had specially imported.

Agatha described it as the ‘sort of furniture that reminds one of fairyland.’ It has occupied the same place in her bedroom since she brought it to Greenway.

Visitors inside the library at Greenway, Devon. One visitor has a baby in a baby carrier, smiling as they explore the room. In the background a volunteer can be seen pointing out something to a visitor.
Visitors in the Library at Greenway, Devon | © National Trust Images/Chris Lacey

The Library

A 5,000-strong book collection is held at Greenway with much of it contained in the lower bookcases that line the walls of the Library. The subjects range from translated works of Agatha to gardening and even children's books. Upstairs in the Fax Room, rare first editions of Agatha's novels are on display.

The Library also holds an unexpected treasure: a frieze painted during the Second World War by a US Coast Guard in the run up to the D-Day landings.

Staying at Greenway

Part of Greenway is now self-catering accommodation for guests. The Greenway apartment gives fans and holiday makers a chance to stay in the former home of one the world’s most famous authors.

Take a look inside the apartment.

Helping you enjoy your visit

Access to the house

The entrance to Greenway House is from the front, facing the river. The path from the main visitor courtyard leads around the left hand side of the house to the front. Level access to the house is from the back - please ask a member of staff or a volunteer for directions. At the front, there are two steps leading to the front door.

There is no step-free access to the first floor of the main house. We have a guide book for visitors to view images of the house and collection. Please talk to a member of staff or volunteer who will be happy to assist.

Sensory station

We know that visits to Greenway can sometimes feel overwhelming. To help make them as comfortable as possible we've introduced a sensory station with a selection of items to choose from. These are free to borrow at the entrance to the house, and there's a basket at the back door to pop them in when you're done.

The River Dart is in the foreground with a tree-lined riverbank behind and Greenway House seen through the trees high on the hill in the background.

Book your parking

You don't have to book your visit in advance, but if you are travelling by car you will need to book parking at Greenway. You can book for today up until 8am. Every Thursday time slots will be available for the next 14 days.

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