News
September 2009
Did you know?
As I sit in my office gazing out of my window, looking for inspiration for this edition of our newsletter, I suddenly spot a building set into the trees, illuminated by the sunlight! I have sat in this office for almost 5 years and I cannot believe I have not noticed Knebworth House before!
The house has been the home of the Lytton family since 1490, when Thomas Bourchier sold the reversion of the manor to Sir Robert Lytton. Knebworth House was originally a genuine red-brick Late Gothic manor house, built round a central court as an open square. In 1813-16 the house was reduced to its west wing, which was remodeled in a Tudor Gothic style by John Biagio Rebecca for Mrs. Bulwer-Lytton, and then was transformed in 1843-45 by Henry Edward Kendall, Jr. into the present Tudor Gothic structure.
Its most famous resident was Edward Bulwer-Lytton, the Victorian author, dramatist and statesman, who embellished the gardens in a formal Italianate fashion. Much of the interior was redesigned by Sir Edwin Lutyens, who simplified the main parterre. A herb garden in an interlaced quincunx design was drawn by Gertrude Jekyll in 1907 but not planted until 1982.
The house is open to the public together with its surrounding gardens and grounds. The grounds include an adventure playground, mini railway and dinosaur park and host various events including classic car rallies, the annual Salvo architectural salvage fair and, since 1974.
The Local radio station Hertbeat FM broadcasts from the old pump house, which provided water for the house. Allegedly a deep well is buried beneath site of the breakfast show presenter's swivel chair!
Numerous films have been shot at Knebworth, including:
- The Shooting Party - filmed entirely on location
- The Great Muppet Caper - exterior of the Mallory Gallery
- Batman (1989) - exterior scenes of Bruce Wayne's manor
- Sacred Flesh (1999) - exterior scenes of the convent
- Agent Cody Banks 2 - some scenes in and around the grounds
- Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire - Yule Ball Staircase Scene
