Knebworth House

Home of the Lytton family since 1490, and still a lived-in family house. Transformed in early Victorian times by Edward Bulwer-Lytton, the author, poet, dramatist and statesman, into the unique high gothic fantasy house of today, complete with turrets, griffins and gargoyles. Home to Constance Lytton, the Suffragette, and Robert Lytton, the Viceroy of India who proclaimed Queen Victoria Empress of India at the Great Delhi Durbar of 1877. Visited by Queen Elizabeth I, Charles Dickens and Sir Winston Churchill. The interior contains various styles including the magnificent Jacobean Banqueting Hall, a unique example of the C17th change in fashion from traditional English to Italian Palladian. The high gothic State Drawing Room by John Crace contrasts with the Regency elegance of Mrs Bulwer-Lytton's bedroom and the C20th designs of Sir Edwin Lutyens in the Entrance Hall, Dining Parlour and Library. 25 acres of beautiful gardens, simplified by Lutyens, including pollarded lime avenues, formal rose garden, maze and Gertrude Jekyll herb garden. 250 acres of gracious parkland, with herds of red and sika deer, includes children's giant adventure playground and miniature railway. World famous for its huge open-air rock concerts, and used as a film location for Batman, The Shooting Party, Wilde, Jane Eyre and The Canterville Ghost, amongst others. Historic Houses Association Member. OPENING TIMES Park, Gardens, Fort Knebworth 27 Mar - 11 Apr: Daily. 17 Apr - 23 May: weekends & BHs. 29 May - 5 Sept: Daily (exc 6 June). 11 - 26 Sept: weekends. Park, Gardens & Playground: 11am - 5.30pm. House & Indian Exhibition: 12 - 5pm (last adm. 4.30pm) Pre-booked groups (20+) all year (subject to special events). Closed at other times except for pre-booked groups