There is an exceptional power to good architecture. That is probably not a secret to many who read the pages (both online and in print) of Country Life. I would suggest that our expertise has often leaned more towards the Classical end of the spectrum, but we are something a grand old dame. However, good architecture is good architecture, no matter the style or era.
Royston Summers was a good architect. After training, he worked for Cornwall Country Council, before setting up his own practice in Blackheath, London, in 1964. His housing schemes, for the period, were revolutionary.
He designed the first ever solar-heated council flats. He won a RIBA award for Good Design in Housing in 1969, for his North Terraces in Blackheath (after receiving the award from Tony Benn, he then went to collect his dole money. ‘Such are the vagaries of life in a small architectural practice’, wrote the RIBA Journal in his obituary in 2012).
His most famous works, however, may have been Lakeside Drive in Esher, Surrey, which won the RIBA Architecture Award in 1976, as well as a DoE Medal and Diploma for Good Design in 1980. You can see why when looking at this home for sale with Knight Frank for £2.95 million.
The tranquil cul-de-sac that is Lakeside Drive is set around, well, an ornamental lake. This property might be the finest example of Summers’s design in the development, and has been renovated to a superb standard by its current owners. However, the original style, featuring high ceilings, open-plan living and those large windows remains untouched.
Set in a cross-section, the ground floor offers a spacious dining room, reception room, kitchen (with central island) and attached garage. On the first floor you will find four bedrooms, with the principal suite taking up an entire wing and featuring a walk-in wardrobe and vast bathroom. The other three bedrooms are en-suite, and there is also a large family room.
Outside, as well as the lake, there is a swimming pool and large gardens. Esher itself has an excellent range of schools, shops, bars and restaurants, while Central London is easily accessed from the nearby A3 or various nearby train stations.
-
The dream home that never was for one of Britain's greatest film stars, back on the market for the first time in half a centuryAnna White takes a look at the beautiful Wallers Mead, in the Buckinghamshire village full of links to Hollywood movies from James Bond to Star Wars.
-
Country Life Quiz of the Day, September 16, 2025 gets Brutal(ist)Divisive architecture is among the themes of today's quiz questions.
-
The dream home that never was for one of Britain's greatest film stars, back on the market for the first time in half a century
Anna White takes a look at the beautiful Wallers Mead, in the Buckinghamshire village full of links to Hollywood movies from James Bond to Star Wars.
-
A 500-year-old cottage in West Sussex that's as beautiful as you could ever hope to see, with a pool ringed by flowers, stables and a croquet lawnJames Fisher was in need of some balm for the soul when he came across Woodshill House.
-
A Clarkson's Farm of one's own: Five properties with just enough farmland for you and your family, from under £1 millionMoving to the country is one thing; moving to the country and being able to grow and rear all your own food is another level entirely, and all these properties offer exactly that.
-
Six superb homes, from chocolate box cottages to grand Tudor mansions, as seen in Country LifeOur regular round-up includes charming home counties houses and superb grand country house in Ireland.
-
A billionaire's thatched cottage is for sale in Surrey, once owned by the oil magnate J. Paul GettyChestnut Cottage is a joyous little home — albeit one with the most unusual bedrooms to acreage to price balances we've ever seen. Toby Keel takes a look inside.
-
Medieval Italian? 19th century French? 16th century German? You're spoilt for choice if you're looking to buy a gorgeous continental castleFrom hills of Italy to a Bavarian palace, Toby Keel takes a look at three of the finest castles for sale across Europe today.
-
How to buy a house at auctionBuying at auction can mean you secure your dream property for a bargain price, but preparation is the key
-
The homes of two 1980s TV icons are both up for sale at the same timeThe houses where Bob Monkhouse and Sir Terry Wogan spent decades of their lives are currently on the market. Annabel Dixon takes a look.
