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.
Visiting the garden at Greenway
From walled gardens to riverside woodland, the garden at Greenway is very relaxed and tranquil. Find out more about the Peach House, Fernery and Battery including where to find the best river views. See the family pet cemetery and find out why a small area of lawn is called Clock Golf.
Blossom watch
From March through to May the garden is full of blossom to spot. Magnolias bloom overhead while in the Peach House almond, peach and apricot trees burst into life with delicate flowers. In the Walled Garden the apple trees are covered in nature's confetti, providing a wonderful backdrop to sit and admire.
Connecting with nature, even for a few minutes, can give us an escape from the stresses of daily life and give us the space to gather our thoughts. You could take photos of new blooms, have a picnic under the blossom, practise mindfulness or forest bathing. Join in and share your photos on social media using #BlossomWatch.
Peach House closure
Please note the Peach House is currently closed. Over the winter we've been restoring the wooden Peach House and work is still ongoing. We hope to reopen it as soon as possible.
Exploring the garden
North Walled Garden
It's a mix of industry and leisure in the North Walled Garden, with a cut-flower garden and Peach House. At 120ft long it's one of the longest in Devon. Inside there are a number of varieties of peaches, apricots and nectarines grown here, and they're used in the café for seasonal recipes.
Recent work has taken place to open this area up, with additional seating and seasonal borders.
The South Walled Garden
Next to the North Walled Garden lies the Vinery and former productive garden. Complete with original vine holes, the Vinery is an arid land inspired by the Middle East and Agatha's travels which fills with grapes during the summer months.
A large lawn with picnic benches makes this an ideal place to stop for a rest during your garden walk. There’s also seating inside the gazebo if you need to shelter from a rain shower.
Clock Golf
The lawn tucked behind the walled gardens is named Clock Golf after the game Agatha and her family would play there. One of the beds is filled with one of Agatha’s favourite flowers, dahlias.
The Fernery
One of the most magical areas at Greenway is the Fernery behind the walled gardens. Dappled light and shade fall upon the fronds and the central water fountain creates an atmosphere of peace and tranquillity. One of the more quirky aspects to the Fernery is the pet cemetery, where the family’s pet dogs are buried.
Top garden
Wide reaching views down the River Dart reward you as you reach top garden. The Garden team have been working to restore areas of the garden to one Agatha Christie would recognise today and opening up the vistas she fell in love with.
A project to renovate the borders and meadow into it's original orchard is well underway, with new plantings and pathways to enjoy this space.
The Battery and Boathouse
A walk around the garden isn't complete without visiting the Battery on the water’s edge, which was built as a Napoleonic defence in the 1790s. Just along from there is the Boathouse, which was the scene of the crime in the Poirot mystery 'Dead Man's Folly'. You can enjoy views of the river from the balcony and potentially spot some of Greenway's river-dwelling wildlife.
Path closed
Please note the path between the Battery and Camellia Garden is closed. This is due to a broken wall along the riverbank, with significant damage and potential rock falls. Please adhere to all signage. The Camellia Garden can be accessed via the path in front of the house.
Camellia Garden
Camellias flower throughout the garden from late autumn onwards; Greenway is even home to an historical Camellia Garden which you’ll find if you follow the path to the right at the front of the house. This secluded walled garden by the river is one of the oldest parts of the garden and used to house an aviary, the remains still visible. Camellias flower here from late February until April.
In 2022 the garden team began a restoration project in the Camellia Garden. There has been hard pruning and laurel clearance work to open up views to the river, and restore this area of the garden into its former glory. Now a brand new wooden arbour seat has been installed, providing the perfect spot to sit and watch the river drift by.
Croquet Lawn and air raid shelter
Tucked next to the house is the Croquet Lawn and air raid shelter. A splash of summer colour with glimpses of river views makes this an ideal spot for a relaxed round of croquet. Among the flowerbeds lies a remnant of the Second World War. Built below ground, stone steps lead down into the small, enclosed air raid shelter left over by the US Coast Guard when they requisitioned Greenway in 1944.
Wildlife watching
The Boathouse and Battery are the best spots for wildlife watching. The River Dart is home to and visited by lots of birds; buzzards, cormorants, egrets, and guillemots are often seen. When the Boathouse is open, there are binoculars inside to aid your wildlife watching and there is a wildlife-spotter board where you can write up what you've seen. On the edge of the garden, not far from the Battery and Boathouse, is the largest heronry on the River Dart and herons often nest at the edge of the Greenway garden.
Two creatures which create great excitement when spotted from the Boathouse are seals and kingfishers.
Young gardeners
Head to the top of the South Walled Garden to see the allotment area which has traditionally been looked after by the local school. Pupils from Galmpton Primary School tended to an allotment in the Walled Garden as part of their work looking at sustainability.
During the spring and summer you’ll easily see what crops the children are growing. Varieties normally include broad beans, potatoes and carrots. There is even an edible flower section which includes nasturtiums and chives.
Questions about the garden?
You could drop the garden team an email if you have any questions about Greenway garden, or would even like some advice about your own patch.
Contact the garden team with your questions.
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