Visit to Dixcot and White Cottage in London
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Applications are now invited for our visit to Dixcot and White Cottage in London on Thursday 26th March 2026.
The houses
We are visiting two Voysey properties.
Dixcot
Dixcot was originally designed by Voysey in 1897 for Richard Walter Essex. Essex established the wallpaper printing business Essex & Co. (later taken over by Arthur Sanderson and Sons, another client of Voysey's), and sat as a Member of Parliament for the Liberal Party at various times between 1906 and 1918. He was knighted in 1913.
Despite revisions by Voysey to his original plan, the house was eventually built by Walter Cave on similar lines. Pevsner's London 2: South (with Bridget Cherry, 1983) says that, "It is Voysey’s largest London house, a little crammed in, but of the happy rambling composition characteristic of the great architect; also one of his typical massive, trustworthy chimneys". It is listed Grade II*.
We are visiting by courtesy of Mike, the owner of Dixcot.
White Cottage
This house was designed by Voysey in 1903 for Clarence T. Coggin, who described himself in the 1911 census as an architect and district surveyor. Coggin's firm designed the Masonic Hall in Aldershot in 1902.
Pevsner's London 2: South (1983) describes White Cottage as "a minor work", but "its special feature is the projecting centre rising to a third-storey belvedere". It is listed Grade II.
We are visiting by courtesy of Andrew, the owner of White Cottage.
Programme
All times following the start are approximate.
- 12.45: convene outside the White Cottage (except for those only joining the Dixcot visit). We shall divide into two groups each of 8 people (16 people altogether), alternating between the interior (ground floor only) and the garden.
We shall finish no later than 13.45, and then go by bus number 319 (Bellevue Road/Trinity Road stop) to Tooting Bec Lido stop for Dixcot in North Drive.
- 14.30: convene outside Dixcot. The tour will comprise 20 people and last no more than 1.5 hours.
Please do not arrive at the White Cottage before 12.45, or at Dixcot before 14.30.
No refreshments will be available, so if you need lunch please have it beforehand. There are many coffee shops in the area, most of which sell food, including:
- Cafe Barcelona, 344a Streatham High Road, SW16 6HH
- Roslyn's Cafe, 292 Streatham High Road, SW16 6HG
Because there will be periods of standing out of doors, please wear suitable clothing, and waterproof if rain is forecast.
Charges
A charge of £10 per head will be made to those visiting both properties, or £8 for one property. We expect that this event will be popular, and it is unlikely that we shall be able to accommodate non-members.
Directions
The full address of the White Cottage, where the day's main programme starts, is 68 Lyford Road, London SW18 3JW. Dixcot is at 8 North Drive, London SW16 1RL.
We urge the use of public transport where possible.
The White Cottage is about 15 minutes walk from Wandsworth Common station, on the Southern mainline from Kensington and Victoria in the north and Croydon in the south. The Wandsworth Common stop on the number 319 bus route is near the station. If you use the bus, make sure you are heading towards Streatham, and get off at the Burntwood Lane stop, which is close to Lyford Road. The 319 bus runs (every 7-11 minutes or so) south from Streatham Hill station through the middle of Streatham (along Streatham High Road) to St Leonard's Church, and then west along Tooting Bec Common and to Wandsworth Common.
Those not coming to the White Cottage can get to Dixcot by:
- walking from either Tooting Bec Underground station on the Northern Line (about 1.5 miles) or Streatham station (about 1 mile). Services at Streatham station are provided by Southern and Thameslink and go north to St Pancras and to London Bridge and south to Sutton and to Croydon.
- or taking bus number 319 from Streatham Hill station (on the same line as Wandsworth Common) or from St Leonard's Church (Tooting Bec Gardens, Streatham SW16 1HS), which is open from 11.00 to 14.00 each day and has toilets.
There will be no vehicle parking on site for this event. Parking in the London Borough of Wandsworth.
How to apply
The size of our party to visit the White Cottage will be slightly smaller than the party for Dixcot. When you complete the booking form we shall ask whether you wish to visit both properties. It may be necessary for us to decline some requests to visit the White Cottage, even for those visiting Dixcot, on a first-come-first-served basis.
Please complete our online application form.
Voysey's design for Dixcot from The British architect, 1st July 1898. There are photographs of the house as built in the Theuerkauf archive.
Richard Walter Essex, the client for Dixcot.
White Cottage. There are more photographs and drawings in the Theuerkauf archive.
Please note our photography guidelines. We shall assume that attendees consent to their own inclusion in photographs taken on the day unless they advise the group leader otherwise.
You participate in events at your own risk, and neither the Voysey Society nor its officers or other volunteers accept any liability whatsoever, however arising. The Society reserves the right to cancel, alter or postpone events if necessary. Before applying for an event, take into account any possible difficulty you may have because of weather, health or other conditions. In hot weather, consider bringing water and protection from the sun.
Page last amended 3rd March 2026