Saturday 31 May will see the internal and external worlds of Daphne du Maurier coming to life in an intriguing way at the magical Port Eliot near Saltash.

Port Eliot is delighted to be welcoming the renowned author Justine Picardie shortly after the launch of her highly acclaimed new novel 'Daphne', to the estate that du Maurier and her sister visited during their lives.

In the novel, set against the breakdown of her marriage, a restless du Maurier is haunted by regret and by her own creations - namely Rebecca, the heroine of her most famous novel.

Seeking distraction, du Maurier becomes passionately interested in Branwell, the reprobate brother of the Bronte sisters, and begins a correspondence with an enigmatic scholar.

Fifty years on, a lonely young PhD student discovers this correspondence and becomes absorbed in the astounding literary mystery.

In the afternoon of May 31, 'A Garden Party amongst rhododendrons' will see a reading of 'Daphne' by Justine, followed by a discussion with The Countess of St Germans on Daphne du Maurier's great love of Cornwall and its gardens.

There will be an afternoon tea with scones, cakes, cucumber sandwiches, fruit squash and ginger beer as well as a tour of Port Eliot.

Later that evening 'The Haunting of Daphne' will allow visitors to follow in Rebecca's footsteps through Port Eliot, a source of inspiration for Justine and Dr Jessica Gardner of the du Maurier archive at Exeter University.

In the magnificent setting of the Round Room, along with the Countess of St Germans they will discuss the ghosts in Daphne du Maurier's life and writing.

A special tour of the basement of Port Eliot will then reveal a ghostly haunting created by the theatrical production maestro Michael Howells.

An exhibition of pieces from the Daphne du Maurier archive will also be on show and a special Cornish champagne cocktail created especially by Nigella Lawson will be served with canapés.

Justine says: "I am thrilled to be coming to talk at Port Eliot, because this is the most wonderfully atmospheric of places - the closest one can get to visiting the magical Manderley of 'Rebecca'. The House and its Gardens summon up all that du Maurier loved about Cornwall, and are a living reminder of what inspired her writing."

Tickets for the garden party are priced at £20 and tickets for the haunting are £30 and are available by contacting the Port Eliot Estate Office on 01503 230211.