Experts warn Agatha Christie’s former home decaying

By Madeleine Evans

The former home of the world's best-selling novelist, Agatha Christie, is at risk of damage from decay.

Plans have been submitted for permission to make repairs to the listed building Winterbrook House.

It was home to Dame Agatha Christie and her archaeologist husband, Sir Max Mallowan from 1934 until her death in 1976.

Although the couple traveled the world, the 17th-century home on the banks of the River Thames near Wallingford, Oxfordshire, was their main residence for this period, and a blue plaque by the front door pays homage to the great novelist.

The couple were buried in St Mary's Church graveyard in Cholsey, and a statue of Agatha Christie was installed on a bench in the Kine Croft park in Wallingford in 2023 to celebrate her legacy.

The elegant, grade II listed property has remained in private ownership since it was sold by its international owners of two decades years in 2021, for a reported £2.75million ($3.6 million).

It offers 4,190sqft of living space across three floors, including a reception hall, three reception rooms, a study, a kitchen and breakfast room, a principal bedroom suite and four further bedrooms.

However, an application for listed building consent has revealed the historic home is suffering from some decay, including to the main structural beam and the window lintel in the library.

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Historic wet rot has affected the window lintel, which has "begun to twist under the load from the beam above" and the end of the main beam, with the timber "becoming soft at the bearing point."

The owner first noticed the issues when the floor of one of the bedrooms became bouncy.

Works proposed include the replacement of the timber library window lintel with a concrete one, of a 'decayed sleeper joist' with a new solid oak one and the 'cementitious render' on the outside of the building with a more historically appropriate lime render.

The building's main beam will be retained in the works, but reinforced using a concealed stainless steel flitch plate to improve its structural capacity.

Additionally, the historic brick garden wall will be repaired, with approximately 200 defective bricks removed and replaced with matching wood-fired bricks and the stone capping of the wall reset or replaced.

The application said: "The proposed works are necessary structural and conservation repairs intended to safeguard the long-term stability and performance of Winterbrook House.

"The repair strategy retains historic fabric wherever possible, uses compatible materials, and ensures that the special architectural and historic interest of the listed building is preserved.

"The proposals will safeguard the structural stability of Winterbrook House while preserving its architectural and historic significance.

"The works represent appropriate conservation-led repairs that will secure the long-term performance of the building while maintaining its historic character."

A decision will be made by Oxfordshire Council at a later date.