Luscombe Castle

Luscombe Castle is a Gothic Revival country house in Dawlish featuring an octagonal tower with two flanking wings and a square entrance tower built from Portland stone. The house includes formal rooms for the family, service areas for household staff, and sits within designed grounds that slope toward views of the surrounding valley.

Charles Hoare commissioned architect John Nash and landscape designer Humphrey Repton in 1797 to build this residence, which was completed in 1804. This collaboration between two highly regarded creative figures shaped the property from its conception.

The formal gardens extend across 10 hectares, incorporating designs by John Veitch based on Repton's original landscape plans.

The gardens and grounds cover substantial area with varied terrain and viewing points that can be explored on foot at your own pace. Visit when the weather is clear to fully appreciate both the interior rooms and the outdoor spaces around the house.

During World War II the house served as a refuge for children from preparatory schools and vulnerable people needing shelter and care. This lesser-known chapter reveals how the property extended beyond its role as a private residence during times of crisis.

Location: Dawlish

Inception: 1804

Architects: John Nash

Architectural style: Gothic Revival

GPS coordinates: 50.58150,-3.49450

Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:41