Sir Edwin Lutyens' Country Houses of Southwest England

This tour is currently sold-out. 

The ICAA is pleased to partner with Classical Excursions to offer this exclusive tour of privately owned country residences by legendary architect Sir Edwin Lutyens in southwest England. Lutyens was one of England’s most prolific architects with more than 600 commissions in Great Britain, Europe, South Africa, India and the United States. He was considered the leading British architect of his generation, and today is considered an icon by architects and designers alike.

Highlights of this tour include visits to notable sites by Sir Edwin Lutyens, including Ashby St. Ledgers,Castle Drogo, Marshcourt, and more. 

The tour will be guided by Clive Aslet, renowned architectural historian and former editor-in chief and now editor-at-large of Country Life magazine. 

This tour is arranged by Classical Excursions. Please note that a registration form and deposit must be submitted to Classical Excursions and a confirmation of receipt must be received from Classical Excursions in order to be considered registered for this program. Payment of the $500 donation to the ICAA prior to registration does not guarantee placement on the trip. To inquire about registration for this program, please contact [email protected] or 413-243-4155.

Please note a fully tax-deductible donation of $500 per person is required to participate in this travel program. All travel program participants receive a complimentary Individual level membership for one year to the ICAA. 

Main Image: Ashby St. Ledgers, Paul Highnam / Country Life Picture Library

Homewood

Participants will visit Homewood, designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens in 1903 for his mother-in-law, the Dowager Countess of Lytton. Homewood features a two-story, classical facade with Ionic pilasters. 

Knebworth House

Sir Edwin Lutyens redesigned much of the interior of Knebworth House, a Tudor manor, including the grand entrance hall, drawing room, and library. 

Marshcourt

Participants will visit Marshcourt, designed by Lutyens in 1901 as the last and largest of his works in interpretation of the Tudor style.

Daneshill House

Daneshill House was designed in 1903 by Lutyens as a residence for his client and friend, Walter Hoare. 

Ashby St. Ledgers

Participants will enjoy a visit to Ashby St. Ledgers, which incorporates Lutyens' additions to a structure dating from the Tudor period which include a service wing, study, large music room, and a common room. Lutyens also designed a group of six thatched cottages in the nearby estate village. 

Eyford Park

Eyford Park is an elegant Edwardian Georgian house designed by Sir Guy Dawber in 1910. 

Owlpen Manor

Owlpen Manor is considered one of the finest Cotswold houses owned, owned and restored by architects Norman Jewson who took great care to preserve the texture of the old manor and employing the local traditional crafts and skill. 

Castle Drogo

Castle Drogo is one of Lutyens' largest and finest residential commissions, built with walls of granite blocks. The structure took nearly twenty years to complete as only a third of the original design. The formal garden was also designed by Lutyens, while Gertrude Jekyll created the layout for the plantings at the approach to the castle. The property is now owned by the National Trust. 

Bassett-Lowke House

Bassett-Lowke House is the only residence in England designed by Scottish architects and designer Charles Rennie Mackintosh. The house, originally styled as a typical early 19th Century terrace house, was transformed into Mackintosh's inimitable style thanks to the interest of the owner, Wenman Bassett-Lowke. 

Berrydown Court

Participants will enjoy an exclusive tour of the restored Berrydown Court, originally designed and built by Lutyens in 1898. The private home features a complex Arts and Crafts facade. 

What’s included

  • The opportunity to stay in first-rate hotels, including the Bloomsbury Hotel in London, originally designed by Lutyens in 1923 as the Central Club for the YWCA. 

Ashby St. Ledgers (Image: Paul Highnam / Country Life Picture Library)



Hestercombe Gardens (Image: wikimedia / xlibber)



Berrydown (Image: Gavin Stamp)



Ashby St. Ledgers (Image: Andrew Roberts/Wikimedia Commons)



Knebworth House (Image: Andrew Wilkinson/Wikimedia Commons)



Berrydown (Image: Gavin Stamp)



FAQ

How do I register for an ICAA travel program?

If you would like to register, you may contact the travel operator organizing the program. Please note that a $500 donation per person to the ICAA is required in order to participate in each travel program. The contact information for ICAA tour operators is included on individual travel pages. Kindly note that the ICAA works with three different consultants for program offerings. If you are unsure which travel consultant to contact for a given program, you may email [email protected] or call 212-730-9646 x109.

What does the required $500 donation fund?

Your $500 donation helps to further the ICAA’s goal of advancing the practice and appreciation of the classical tradition in architecture and the allied arts by supporting its varied educational programs, including continuing education courses, college workshops, the Summer Studio in Classical Architecture, New Heights, and many more.

Am I required to pay a $500 donation for each travel program I register for?

Yes, a donation of $500 to the ICAA is required for each travel program you register for. The donation is required for each person attending a tour.

How do I make my $500 donation to the ICAA?

You can make your $500 donation to the ICAA online, or you can download, complete, and mail this form to the ICAA. You can alternatively fax a copy to 212-730-9649. You may also call 212-730-9646 x109 or email [email protected] to make a donation. Donations must be made separately from the registration fee.

Do I have to be a member of the ICAA to participate in an ICAA travel program?

No, membership is not required to attend an ICAA travel program. However, complimentary Individual membership to the ICAA is included with your $500 required donation.

I don’t see the full itinerary for the tour I am interested in. When will it be released?

For full itinerary and more information, contact [email protected], 860-926-4895. Due to the exclusive nature of our tours, some private locations or visits may be omitted from the ICAA's website.

What kinds of trips does the ICAA offer?

Over the past several years, the ICAA has travelled to destinations including Paris; Andalusia; Atlanta; Barbados; South Africa; Chicago; the Netherlands and Belgium; Scotland; the French Riviera; Morocco; the Italian Lake Region; Charlottesville; Naples; and New Delhi, among many other locations. The ICAA is always looking to diversify its travel offerings. If you have a suggestion or location you would like to see added, please email [email protected].