Loving touch to author's abode

London: Daphne du Maurier's holiday home in Cornwall, where she wrote her first novel and which inspired her later works, has been given listed status by the department of culture on advice from Historic England, a government body.

This means the property cannot be altered without permission from the authorities.

Du Maurier wrote her first novel, The Loving Spirit, published to critical acclaim in 1931, and Gerald: A Portrait, a biography of her father, in 1934 while staying at Ferryside in Bodinnick, on the Fowey river in south-east Cornwall.

Du Maurier died in 1989, aged 81, leaving behind such classics as Rebecca, with one of the most famous opening lines in English literature: "Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again."

Others included My Cousin Rachel and Jamaica Inn.

Her son, Christian Browning, said: "My mother adored the house and fell in love with Cornwall, which was to be the backdrop of her most famous novels. I feel sure she would be immensely proud that Historic England has granted Ferryside a Grade II listing."

"It was my grandmother, Muriel du Maurier, who in 1926 purchased what was then a rundown boatyard called Swiss Cottage and turned it into an enchanting holiday home for her family and renamed the house Ferryside," Browning added.

Historic England, which makes recommendations to the government on whether a building should be protected and listed as Grade I or II, explained: "We are careful only to recommend buildings which meet strict tests and Ferryside met all of them.

"The recognition granted by Grade II listing reflects the high regard in which du Maurier is still held worldwide, with new generations of readers, new film and TV adaptations, and literary events including some close to the source of her first inspiration."

Duncan Wilson, chief executive of Historic England, said: "Ferryside is one of many precious, historic buildings across England which have the power to captivate and delight. These places bring our history to life; they give it a personal dimension which transcends time."

Heritage minister John Glen pointed out: "Ferryside is the site where Dame Daphne du Maurier's love affair with Cornwall began - the region that inspired her works, which are some of the greatest novels of the 20th century."

Historic England will next month offer a recommendation on whether the India Club in London should also be given listed status.