Bluebells victorious at Greenway

National Trust gardeners at the much loved holiday home of Agatha Christie, Greenway, are celebrating a huge swing to the bluebells after one of the finest showings in many years brought visitors to its woodland gardens.

Last year Greenway gardeners were battling the invasive and unwelcome Three Cornered Leek which is similar in appearance to a white bluebell, but with a distinctive smell and a narrow green stripe down the centre of each petal.

Simon Akeroyd, Head Gardener said, “The Three Cornered Leek can smother bluebells and has a strong onion smell whereas our native English bluebells are simply stunning and have a lovely scent.”

Noted for its delightful gardens, Greenway, which is open 7 days a week for the very first time this season, has a woodland walk which visitors to the property can enjoy. For those arriving by steam train from Paignton or Kingswear and alighting at the new Greenway Halt, the 30-minute walk has allowed visitors to immerse themselves amongst the bluebells and the romantic woodlands paths before emerging at the Queen of Crime’s famous riverside residence.

Belinda Smith, Visitor Experience Manager for the National Trust English Riviera explains, “We are thrilled with the bluebells this year – the very best for many years.  Arriving at Greenway Halt is a great experience for our visitors, stepping back in time to the 1950s when steam trains were the way to travel. Agatha Christie herself would have travelled on this line alighting at Churston.”

Every day during the season, there is a tour of the gardens, which starts outside the shop at 1pm and lasts for 30-40 minutes. Visitors can join one to find out what's in flower and learn about the history of these very special gardens. The gardens are particularly rich in colour at this time of year with a magnificent display of rhododendrons, azaleas and primroses, all coming into flower due to the warm weather.

This year is the 125th anniversary of Agatha Christie’s birth and this is expected to attract additional visitors and fans from all over the world. 

For further details please visit:

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/greenway/