Houghton House Tour
Houghton House, Hazelwood Lane, Ampthill, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK45 2EY
Houghton House was built in the early 17th century by Mary Herbert, Countess of Pembroke, as an elaborate hunting lodge. An unusual mix of Jacobean and classical design, it retains two important early elements of classical architecture in the form of its two loggias, which have been attributed to Inigo Jones. The house may have been the inspiration for the ‘Palace Beautiful’ in the 17th-century Christian writer John Bunyan’s religious epic, The Pilgrim’s Progress. When it was dismantled in 1797, the ruins survived as a garden feature in the grounds of nearby Ampthill Park.
Timings & Tours
- Saturday 07 September:
- 11am and 1pm only
- Sunday 08 September:
- 11am and 1pm only
- Monday 09 September:
- 11am and 1pm only
Location & directions
Houghton House, Hazelwood Lane, Ampthill, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK45 2EY
- Directions:
- The lane to the property entrance is off the east side of the B530, about a mile north of Ampthill town centre, and is marked with a brown tourist sign. After having turned into the lane, turn left immediately and the car park is about 500 metres north east along the lane.
Booking information
- Pre-booking requirement:
- Pre-booking not required
Accessibility details
The walk from the car park to the house ruins is about 400 metres and please be aware there is no turning area nearer to the property than the car park. Also, as there is no pavement on the section of the lane from the car park and the lane is narrow, please be aware that there may be traffic (there is a pavement alongside the section of the lane from the B530 to the car park).
Additional information
- Max no of people per tour:
- 30
- Est. tour duration:
- 1 hour(s)
