SPAB Devon Group visit to Castle Drogo

Devon Group Visit to Castle Drogo
Friday 15 May
1.30pm – 7.00pm

Join the SPAB Devon Group for a fascinating afternoon at Castle Drogo, the dramatic Dartmoor home designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and widely regarded as the last castle built in England.

This special visit offers a rare opportunity to explore the building with members of the National Trust team, including building and collections specialists, who will guide us through the architectural ambitions, construction and ongoing conservation challenges of this extraordinary early twentieth-century house.

The afternoon will begin with an introductory exterior tour of the castle and chapel, before time to explore the interiors. Attendees will then split into smaller groups for two exclusive experiences: a behind-the-scenes talk on the “Secret Store” exhibition and the castle’s collections, alongside a guided roof tour (weather permitting), offering unusual insights into the fabric and maintenance of the building.

There will be opportunities throughout to ask questions and discuss the conservation of complex historic buildings with those directly involved in their care.

This event also marks the retirement of the Devon Group’s long-serving Chair, Marian Wood. Please join us at the reception after the tour to recognise her contribution to SPAB. A welcome drink is included in the ticket price.

1.15pm – Arrivals and welcome at the Visitor Centre

1.45pm – Exterior tour of the castle and chapel

2.30pm – Free-flow visit through the castle interiors

3.30pm – Split group sessions:
Group 1-  Secret Store exhibition and collections talk
Group 2 - Roof tour (weather permitting)

4.30pm – Return through the gardens and close

5.30pm- Reception and presentation at Fingle Bridge Pub  
 

Photos and filming:We may take photos or videos at this event to be used in future promotion, including in print and online. Participants may take photos and short videos for personal use, with permission of the course leader and all other participants in frame. If you want to post on social media, please message SPAB's Comms Team (press@spab.org.uk or @spab1877) for permission. If your material is good, we might ask to share it with our followers.

All bookings are subject to our Terms and Conditions.

Photo credit: By WyrdLight.com, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=45363907