'Step into the spirit of the Jazz Age'
Coleton Fishacre, Devon was the country home of the D'Oyly Carte family - an Arts and Crafts house built in the mid 1920s with elegant Art Deco interiors.
One day Rupert and Lady Dorothy D'Oyly Carte were sailing along the Devonshire coastline when they spotted a beautiful secluded valley, and decided there and then that this was where they would build themselves a country home.
A luxuriant 30 acre garden now fills the valley which runs down to the edge of the sea. The humidity in the garden is high thanks to both the sea and a stream which meanders through the valley; tender plants from the Mediterranean, South Africa and New Zealand thrive under it's canopy of exotic trees, and when visited in March, Spring was already well advanced compared to the rest of the country.
The architect for the house and the terraced areas was Oswald Milne, a student of Sir Edwin Lutyens.
Just a few miles away from the D'Oyly Carte country home is 'Greenway', the much beloved holiday home of the writer, Agatha Christie.
"One day we saw that a house was up for sale that I had known when I was young....So we went over to see Greenway, how beautiful the house and grounds were. A white Georgian house of about 1780 or 90, with woods sweeping down to the River Dart below, and a lot of fine shrubs and trees - the ideal house, a dream house".
In the evenings guests were often to be found sitting around together, whilst Agatha held them enthralled, as she read to them the latest chapter from her current mystery novel.
What a pretty place to have a home built there. It looks magical with the nature.
ReplyDeleteYou are right they do appear magical - these are two lovely homes both situated in magical locations.
DeleteHeaven! Especially when it comes to discover a famous biography through an enchanting place. England is in my mind, thank you for sharing these little treasures Rosemary!
ReplyDeleteIt is so lovely to hear from you Olympia - thank you, I miss you.
DeleteHello Rosemary, After a week of editing those photos of the crumbling Murray-Dunn house, it was balm to see these two beautiful and well-kept houses and gardens. I thought the cannon was a nice touch--evidently Agatha Christie's idea of a home security system; today people just have those little signs reading "This property protected by the John Smith Surveillance Company."
ReplyDelete--Jim
Hello Jim - I am not sure what the cannon is all about - probably a playful touch on the part of Agatha. I know that she set one of her murder scenes down at the so called "Battery" in her book Five Little Pigs.
DeleteTwo different, but very large, attractive holiday homes. What exciting times and great holidays must have been held by these two famous families. The valley sounds entrancing with its warm climate and wonderful gardens. Is that a cannon pointing out to the river? Another Agatha Christie mystery..
ReplyDeleteYes, it does point down the river Patricia. I think it might be a playful touch on the part of Agatha Christie. As I mentioned above she did use that location for a murder in her book Five Little Pigs.
DeleteHmm. I could quite happily have either of those as a holiday home.
ReplyDeleteOK, how about you having Greenway, and I will take the D'Oyly Carte one?
DeleteBoth are just so lovely! Oh, to be rich!
ReplyDeleteHaving a pile of money certainly helps.
DeleteOh to be invited to such a lovely holiday house (either). I could sit all day and watch what was happening on the river.
ReplyDeleteThey are both in lovely spots and blessed with a warm micro climate.
DeleteThat is a truly special area and house. Thought it may have some connection with Glasgow's celebrity 5 star hangout One Devonshire Gardens but can't find any online. Must be just coincidence. Lovely photos.
ReplyDeleteI would be very happy to stay at One Devonshire Gardens in Glasgow - but I don't have any idea how it got its name either.
DeleteFabulous places - can you visit the houses? I hope so!
ReplyDeleteYes, both houses are open to visitors Jenny.
DeleteI can only say that I wished I had been a close friend of Agatha Christie - but I fear she might never have got rid of me!
ReplyDeleteI expect that she had many guests like that David - the day that we visited was so warm and lovely - you could tell that all of the visitors were enjoying them too.
DeleteThese are beautiful places!
ReplyDeletePleased that you enjoyed William.
DeleteHave visited both but never in Spring, what a picture they are!
ReplyDeleteThe blossom was overwhelming in both of these gardens during mid-March especially as there was none to be seen elsewhere. These two gardens with their micro climate were a joy to visit.
DeleteWhat a lovely life - to go boating along the shore, see a valley, and decide to build a house and garden there. So nice that visitors can enjoy it now. The micro-climate sounds amazing. Beautiful homes and plants.
ReplyDeleteThose that had plenty years ago were rather more subtle with their wealth than we see today. However, I very much doubt that anyone could see a valley today, fall in love with it, and immediately be able to buy it - laws, regulations, planning etc have changed so much. However, that doesn't negate from the fact that the D'Oyly Carte garden and house is a delightful place for a visit.
DeleteVery picturesque indeed. Beautiful looking through the trees.
ReplyDeleteBoth properties are a delight to visit.
DeleteThey found themselves some beautiful homes and gorgeous views , what an inspiration for creative souls !
ReplyDeleteThey certainly appeared to live 'charmed lives' and I can, like you, imagine that both places would inspire creativity.
DeleteHow beautiful! Your blog is a real inspiration of lovely places to visit and you really know how to make them come alive to your readers. Oh, to have been invited by either family for a visit would have been idyllic! Best, Jane x
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely comment Jane - thank you so much, you have made my day.
DeleteAlthough we cannot be their guests, we are today fortunate to be able to spend time enjoying their wonderful properties and gardens courtesy the NT.
Lovely houses at the beautiful places. Some elevation difference of the estate looks to make the owner's life and the visitors' experience more pleasing. I like to see the sight of the lake through the tree leaves.
ReplyDeleteYoko
I took these photos in mid-March Yoko so the leaves had yet to opened. Some of the elevations were incredibly steep - the D'Oyly Carte garden finished at the edge of the sea but also climbed up very high onto the clifftops. Agatha's garden sat in an elevated position high above the banks of the River Dart, but had paths that meandered down to the river which led on to her Boathouse.
DeleteWow what stunning photos of two places I would love to visit. You visited at a good time to still see a view through the trees xx
ReplyDeleteSpring was very early in that part of Devon this year - I should imagine that now that view is no longer visible.
DeleteDearest Rosemary,
ReplyDeleteIt is a joy to see homes with such great architectural beauty being this well preserved!
Obviously the artist owners had the wealth for building such a home in their favorite spot along the Devonshire coast.
Sure the climate there is very mild, one of the best spots in England. But anyhow, they let the world inherit their dream and to still marvel about its location, as well as Agatha Christies's place.
Lovely photos, together with springs blossoms!
Hugs,
Mariette
Dear Mariette - I personally am particularly fond of the Arts and Crafts architectural style so the D'Oyly Carte house would be the one for me, and imagine waking up each day in such an idyllic location.
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DeleteSo pleased I stopped by your blog.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful post this was.
Lovely to look at and lovely to read.
All the best Jan
Thank you for dropping in Jan and thank you for your kind comment which I appreciated very much.
DeleteQUE LUGAR TAN HERMOSO!!!
ReplyDeleteSALUDITOS
Gracias por tu comentario Alicia - Me complace que hayas disfrutado la publicación.
DeleteBeautuful gardens.
ReplyDeleteWonderful photos.
Greetings
Maria
Divagar Sobre Tudo um Pouco
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DeleteLovely and beautiful gardens...and great photos!!!
ReplyDeleteWarm hug from Titti
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