Houghton House

Houghton House today is the shell of a 17th century mansion commanding magnificent views, reputedly the inspiration for the ‘House Beautiful’ in John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress.

It was built around 1615 for Mary, Dowager Countess of Pembroke, in a mixture of Jacobean and Classical styles: the ground floors of two Italianate loggias survive, possibly the work of Inigo Jones.

Information panels describe the house, its owners and the surrounding hunting estate. 

History

Houghton House was built in the 17th century as an elaborate hunting lodge of striking design. The house was eventually dismantled, its ruins surviving as a garden feature.

The ruined house and park were later incorporated into the grounds of nearby Ampthill Park. As a result the house still dominates the landscape today providing wonderful views over its former hunting park.