Commemorating D-Day 80th anniversary at Agatha Christie’s holiday home

Thursday 6 June 2024 marks the 80th anniversary of the D-Day Landings. This year the National Trust will commemorate the occasion at Agatha Christie’s holiday home Greenway, near Brixham, with a military vehicle and reenactment display. 

Visitors to Greenway will be able to see up close a collection of vintage military memorabilia, from trench tents to army jeeps. Volunteers will be on hand in the house to share the story of Greenway at war, highlighting features that relate to this time. 

Greenway, the former holiday home of Agatha Christie and now cared for by the National Trust, has a special connection to the Second World War. During that period, Greenway became home to evacuees and was later requisitioned by the US Coast Guard. 

When the house was returned to Agatha Christie and her family on Christmas Day 1945, they discovered that a frieze had been painted in the library by a US Coast Guard in the run up to the D-Day landings. The frieze remains visible today, its artwork depicting the US Coast Guard’s journeys, although partially unfinished.

"The Second World War left it's mark on Greenway," said Laura Murray, Collections and House Manager. "Visitors will be able to see first-hand the lasting impact it had, and hear stories of what life at Greenway would have been like in 1944."

The military display will be at the front of Greenway House on Thursday 6 June, between 10.30am and 4.30pm.

Visitors are also invited to step back into Agatha’s heyday by cruising upriver on a scenic and leisurely ferry ride. The Greenway Ferry Company run services from Dartmouth as frequent as every hour from March to October, and from Dittisham on demand every few minutes by ringing a bell on the river’s edge.

If travelling by car, Greenway has a pre-booked parking system in place. You can book a parking space online through the website.

Each day out supports the National Trust’s work as a charity looking after special places for future generations to enjoy. Visit the website to plan your day out to Greenway, and to book ferry tickets visit www.greenwayferry.co.uk. Normal admission applies.