In 1910 Julius Drewe bought about 450 acres (1.8 km²) south and west of the village of Drewsteignton in the belief that he was descended from the Drewe family that once lived here.
Born Drew, the son of George Smith Drew and his wife Mary, née Peek, both from substantial families of grocers, Drewe added the "e" to his surname later in life.
By the time of his death in 1931 he had bought up an estate of 1,500 acres.
Around 1910 he asked Edwin Lutyens to build him a castle.
According to his son Basil, he did so on the advice of Edward Hudson, proprietor of Country Life magazine, who was both a patron and a champion of Lutyens.
Drewe was now 54 years old, but he still had time, energy and money to create his new family seat.
The budget was £50,000 for the castle, and a further £10,000 for the garden.
Lutyens wrote privately of his concern over Drewe's ambitions; "I do wish he didn't want a castle but just a delicious loveable house with plenty of good large rooms in it".
On 4 April 1911, Drewe's 55th birthday, the first foundation stone was laid.
In 1910 Julius Drewe bought about 450 acres (1.8 km²) south and west of the village of Drewsteignton in the belief that he was descended from the Drewe family that once lived here. Born Drew, the son of George Smith Drew and his wife Mary, née Peek, both from substantial families of grocers, Drewe added the "e" to his surname later in life. By the time of his death in 1931 he had bought up an estate of 1,500 acres. Around 1910 he asked Edwin Lutyens to build him a castle. According to his son Basil, he did so on the advice of Edward Hudson, proprietor of Country Life magazine, who was both a patron and a champion of Lutyens. Drewe was now 54 years old, but he still had time, energy and money to create his new family seat. The budget was £50,000 for the castle, and a further £10,000 for the garden. Lutyens wrote privately of his concern over Drewe's ambitions; "I do wish he didn't want a castle but just a delicious loveable house with plenty of good large rooms in it". On 4 April 1911, Drewe's 55th birthday, the first foundation stone was laid.
Castle Drogo