Photos

This shot was taken from the rear entrance of Houghton House, Ampthill, Bedfordshire, looking through to the front of the house and up the approach road.

Houghton House was built in about 1615 by Mary, Dowager Countess of Pembroke, the sister of Sir Philip Sydney, on land granted by King James I. The Countess Died in 1621 and the house changed hands several times until 1794 when the then current owner, the 5th Duke of Bedford had it dismantled and the fittings were sold. The house fell into disrepair until 1935 when it came into the guardianship of the Ministry of Works (subsequently becoming the responsibility of English Heritage). During the 20th century, much of the stone has been eroded by air-borne pollution from the nearby brickworks. Houghton House is the traditional inspiration for the 'House Beautiful' in John Bunyan's 'The Pilgrim's Progress'.

See another shot of the house Here.