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View from inside a wooden boathouse, out through an archway to two visitors on the balcony, looking at the tree-lined river
Enjoy tranquil views from the Greenway Boathouse | © National Trust Images/John Millar
Devon

Greenway Boathouse walk

This circular route around Greenway's garden leads you through woodland and along riverside paths, to the scene of the murder in Agatha Christie's mystery, Dead Man's Folly. Sharpen your sleuthing skills to spot nesting herons, and seek out River Dart views from the Boathouse and Battery.

Book your car parking

If arriving by car, please remember to book your parking in advance on the Greenway homepage. Members can book for free, while non-members will pay for parking when booking.

Total steps: 8

Total steps: 8

Start point

Greenway visitor reception, grid ref: SX871548

Step 1

From the visitor reception, walk through the courtyard, past the shop and head right to take you down to the house. Follow the Middle Path past the house, heading into the woodland garden.

Two visitors walk their dog along a sunny path, with a large, white square country house behind them
Follow the Middle Path into the woodland garden | © National Trust Images/John Millar

Step 2

Keep to the Middle Path until you come to a fork in the path, which is signposted 'to the Boathouse'. Turn right here, and head downhill.

Step 3

Follow the path downhill until you reach a fork. Take the path to the left.

Step 4

This path leads you down to the edge of the garden, where it borders the River Dart. Grey herons nest in the trees here. There is the largest heronry on the River Dart at the edge of the garden.

View of the River Dart with boats on the water from the garden in spring at Greenway, Devon
View of the River Dart from Greenway's garden | © National Trust Images / Chris Lacey

Step 5

The path forks to the left again, leading to a viewpoint with a handily positioned bench. Why not stop for a minute and soak up the view of the river? From here you can see down towards Kingswear. When you're ready, join the path again and follow it along the riverside until you reach the Boathouse.

Step 6

Explore the Boathouse and Quay, then re-join the path and continue along it, keeping the river to your left, and head towards the Battery.

Step 7

Once you've enjoyed the views from the Battery, take the steps on the left from the way you arrived, with the River Dart behind you. You will begin the climb back up to meet the previous path.

View of the Dart Estuary downstream from The Battery at Greenway, Devon
Keep the River Dart on your left | © National Trust Images / Andrew Butler

Step 8

Follow the path until back up the hill towards the statue of Kwan-Yin. Turn left and follow the path all the way until it emerges to back at the front of the house. Head back towards the courtyard and visitor reception where you started.

End point

Greenway visitor reception, grid ref: SX871548

Trail map

Ordnance Survey map of the Greenway Boathouse walk
Map of the Greenway Boathouse walk | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey

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Greenway 

Greenway house and garden: 'the loveliest place in the world'

near Brixham, Devon

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Greenway Road, Galmpton, near Brixham, Devon, TQ5 0ES

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