Houghton House, Ampthill (Bedfordshire)
Shell of a 17th Century mansion commanding magnificent views.
Introduction
The shell of a 17th-century mansion commanding magnificent views, reputedly the inspiration for the 'House Beautiful' in John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress. Built around 1615 for Mary, Dowager Countess of Pembroke, in a mixture of Jacobean and Classical styles: the ground floors of two Italianate loggias survive, possibly the work of Inigo Jones.
Information panels describe the house, its owners and the surrounding hunting estate.
History to the present day
Houghton House was built in the 17th century as an elaborate hunting lodge of striking design. The house was eventually dismantled, its ruins surviving as a garden feature.
Houghton House in ruins in about 1910, before its restoration. © English Heritage, NMR Mary Herbert, the Dowager Countess of Pembroke, was a well-connected member of the royal court. She commissioned the lodge in 1615 on land granted to her by King James I. The architect was probably John Thorpe, a well-respected designer, with the famous Inigo Jones contributing some elements. The building was completed by 1621 when King James honoured Mary with a visit to Houghton.
After Mary Herbert’s death, the estate was granted by the king to the Bruce family but it was eventually purchased by the Dukes of Bedford. The fifth Duke of Bedford rented the hunting park to a neighbour. He was subsequently unable to let the house without the park, so he ordered Houghton to be dismantled in 1794. Some of the fittings were used in new building projects.
The ruined house and park were later incorporated into the grounds of nearby Ampthill Park. As a result the house still dominates the landscape today providing wonderful views over its former hunting park. The striking location may have been the inspiration for the ‘Palace Beautiful’ of 17th century Christian writer John Bunyan’s religious epic ‘The Pilgrim’s Progress’.
Arrival information and how to find us
Address: Houghton House, Bedfordshire, , United Kingdom
Opening times:
All Year Any reasonable time
Admission prices:
Adult: Free
Children: Free
Concession: Free
Photographs copyright of English Heritage Photographic Library.
