REPRESENTATIVES of 24 of the south west's finest privately owned historic houses met at Kelly House for this year's Invitation To View spring launch.

Invitation To View has been going for more than 16 years in East Anglia and, last year, the scheme expanded into the south west.

The scheme allows individuals to look around a house that is not normally open to the public and to meet the interesting — and sometimes eccentric — owners, who have taken on responsibility for maintaining these beautiful homes.

Some of the houses are architecturally impressive on a grand scale, such as Boconnoc — winner of the Sotheby's award for restoration, Crowcombe Court, with its sumptuous interiors, or Sidbury Manor — a mansion in 'free Jacobean Renaissance style'.

The houses cover a range of architectural periods: Maunsel House, Hinton House and Gatcombe Court date back to the 13th century, while Bosvathick is a time capsule of life a century ago. The most modern house in the group is Coombe Trenchard. Built in the early 20th century, it is a fine example of the Arts and Crafts movement.

The tours not only cover the property's history, but also that of the families who have shaped the buildings and landscape around them. The Kellys can claim to be the oldest family in Devon, having lived at Kelly House since 1100.

All the tours are unique and most are led by the house owners themselves.

Afterwards, there is a chance to sit down with tea and cakes or maybe over lunch and a drink and chat to them about their passion and love for their homes and the demands of caring for these magnificent buildings.