Title: Tourists Trapped in Agatha Christie’s Former Home Amidst Stormy Weather
Date: January 2023
The former home of renowned British mystery writer Agatha Christie became the center of an unexpected mystery on Friday, as over 100 tourists found themselves trapped in Greenway House and Garden in Devon, England. The incident, reminiscent of a plot straight out of one of Christie’s novels, was caused by a fallen tree that blocked the road leading to the property.
Caroline Heaven, a tourist visiting Greenway, raised the alarm and contacted local news outlet Devon Live to inform them about the stranded tourists. The National Trust, responsible for managing the historic site, swiftly updated its website to alert visitors about the fallen tree and the resulting situation.
A spokesperson for the National Trust assured the public that they were doing everything possible to ensure the comfort of the trapped visitors, staff, and volunteers. Despite their unexpected predicament, the tourists made the best of the situation by enjoying cups of tea in the tearoom and playing rounds of croquet on the lawn.
Heaven, who arrived at the house earlier that day, praised the efforts of the staff to care for the trapped tourists. They were provided with free tea and other amenities to alleviate the bleakness of the situation.
Greenway House and Garden, once Christie’s holiday home, offers visitors the opportunity to experience the author’s own pastimes, such as clock golf, croquet, and leisurely walks on the estate’s lawns. The walled gardens and famous boathouse, featured in Christie’s novel “Dead Man’s Folly,” also serve as attractions for visitors.
While some social media users drew comparisons between Christie’s novel “And Then There Were None” and the trapped tourists’ predicament, the outcome for the visitors was far less sinister. Local rescue services managed to reopen the road, allowing them to leave the estate on the same evening.
Unfortunately, prospective visitors to Greenway will have to wait for the storm damage to be repaired, as the National Trust announced the closure of the site due to extensive damage caused by the recent storms.
The unexpected scenario at Greenway House and Garden truly demonstrated the enduring allure of Agatha Christie’s mysteries, even in real life.