 |
| 9 Church Walk, Aldeburgh, Suffolk, home of Imogen Holst from 1964 to 1984 (Photo: © Historic England Archive) |
A relatively unassuming modernist house in Aldeburgh, 9 Church Walk, has just been listed at Grade II by Historic England. The house was built in 1962 to 1964, designed by architects HT (Jim) and Elizabeth (Betty) Cadbury-Brown for composer, arranger and conductor Imogen Holst, daughter of composer Gustav Holst.
The house features innovative design elements including a soundproofed music room where Imogen Holst worked and thoughtfully positioned windows framing views of the parish church. It retains many original features, including built-in shelving systems, curtains with recessed tracking, and Imogen Holst’s personal items such as her writing desk and coloured glass panel hung on the window in front of her desk to diffuse the sunlight. The property also houses Gustav Holst’s oak music cupboard, where she stored her father’s manuscripts.
 |
| 9 Church Walk, Aldeburgh, Suffolk, home of Imogen Holst from 1964 to 1984 – Living room with Gustav Holst’s music cupboard (Photo: © Historic England Archive) |
After graduating Jim Cadbury-Brown worked for architect Ernő Goldfinger, assisting with the design of Goldfinger’s Willow Road house, and became his lifelong friend. Jim and Betty Cadbury-Brown were also involved as designers for the 1951 Festival of Britain’s Southbank site. They built their own holiday home in Aldeburgh (3 Church Walk) which was listed in 2000, and Imogen Holst’s house was on the same site.
In 1952, Imogen Holst was invited to assist Benjamin Britten who was working on his latest commission, the opera Gloriana. She accepted and became Britten’s musical assistant, then later Artistic Director of the Aldeburgh Festival. She lived in a variety of lodgings and rented flats until moving to 9 Church Walk.
In thanking the Cadbury-Browns for the house, which was built on their land, She wrote: “…my IMMENSE and perpetual gratitude for the loveliest house in the world. I think of you both every night of the year and send blessings in your direction for having enabled me to get on with my work in such heavenly quiet and solitude and comfort.”
 |
| Imogen Holst at her desk (Photo: Nigel Luckhurst, © Britten Pears Arts) |
The house is now owned by Britten Pears Arts and is available as a holiday rental, allowing visitors to experience the special atmosphere of this artistic haven. It is also open to the public every year for Heritage Open Days.
For those interested in staying in the cottage, details are at the Britten Pears Arts website.
