Bedfordshire
Houghton House, Bedfordshire.
Houghton House was built in the 17th century as an elaborate hunting lodge. It was commissioned in 1615 on land granted to Mary Herbert the then dowager of Pembroke by King James 1st. The building was completed in 1621.
After Mary Herbert's death the house was granted to the Bruce family and was eventually purchased by the Dukes of Bedford. The 5th Duke of Bedford rented the hunting park to a neighbour.
Subsequently unable to let the house without the park he ordered Houghton House to be dismantled in 1794. The house offers striking views over the countryside and what must have been the hunting park.
It is believed that the architect was John Thorpe with the famous Inigo Jones contributing.
(The above was taken from boards around the house).
Date: 28/03/09
Location: Houghton House, Bedfordshire, Bedford, Margiocchi
Photographer: İTony Margiocchi