England
Hertfordshire

Hertfordshire Travel Guide - Historic Houses

Ashridge Location map Berkhamsted , Hertfordshire In 1283 Edmund, Earl of Cornwall, founded a monastic house of the Bonhommes order at 'Assherugge'. The monastery was re-endowed by Edward the Black Prince, and gained a reputation as a centre for scholarly debate and learning. When the college of monks was dissolved in the Reformation, Henry VIII bestowed the estate on Princess Elizabeth, later Elizabeth I. Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, England, HP4 1NS Location: Please contact the Ashridge estate office for current opening details. Website: Ashridge Phone: 01442 843491 Historic Houses Association

Gorhambury House Location map St Albans , Hertfordshire This grand Palladian mansion was built by the Bacon family, Earls of Verulam, to replace an earlier Elizabethan manor, the ruins of which still stand in the park near the current house. That earlier manor was the home of the most famous of the Bacon family, philosopher, writer, and lawyer Sir Francis Bacon. Off Bluehouse Hill , St Albans, Hertfordshire, England, AL3 6AH Phone: 01727 854051 Historic Houses Association

Hatfield House Location map Hatfield , Hertfordshire Former Tudor royal house acquired by Robert Cecil, chief minister to both Elizabeth I and James I. Still home to the Cecil family, the present house, begun in 1608, is largely Jacobean and even Victorian in character, at least in the interior. Hatfield, Hertfordshire, England, AL9 5NQ Location: off A1000 Website: Hatfield House Email: visitors@hatfield-house.co.uk Phone: 01707 287010 Fax: 01707 287033

Knebworth House Location map Knebworth , Hertfordshire Home of the Lytton family for over 500 years, Knebworth was transformed in 1843 from a red brick Tudor house into a veritable feast of gothic turrets, gargoyles and griffins, by poet-statesman Edward Bulwer-Lytton. Nowadays Knebworth is most well known as venue for huge rock concerts, but on quieter days throughout the spring and summer you can wander in peace around the 25 acres of grounds, or the varied stately public rooms of this lived-in home. Knebworth, Hertfordshire, England, SG3 6PY Location: off the A1 at junction 7 (Stevenage South A602) Website: Knebworth House Email: info@knebworthhouse.com Phone: 01438 812 661 Fax: 01438 811 908

Old Gorhambury House St Albans , Hertfordshire This once-impressive mansion was built in 1563-8 by Sir Nicholas Bacon, Lord Keeper to Elizabeth I. Extant are the 2-storey porch, parts of the hall, chapel and clock tower. Don't confuse this Elizabethan manor of 'Old Gorhambury House' with the later Palladian mansion nearby, called simply 'Gorhambury House'. St Albans, Hertfordshire, England, Location: Via 2-mile footpath, or by car to Gorhambury Mansion and then walk through the garden. Limited access times; check the English Heritage website for access details. Website: Old Gorhambury House English Hertitage

Shaw's Corner Aylot St Lawrence , Hertfordshire The great G B Shaw lived for a period of 40 years in this Edwardian Arts & Crafts influenced house. Calendar of events includes performances of Shaw's plays. Unique revolving summerhouse was the setting for the writing of many of Shaw's works. Welwyn, Aylot St Lawrence, Hertfordshire, England, Location: at SW end of village, 2 miles N off the B653 Website: Shaw's Corner Email: shawscorner@nationaltrust.org.uk Phone: 01438 820 307 National Trust