Houghton House Tour

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)

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