Houghton House: A History of Mystique and Intrigue

Deep in the heart of Bedford lies the enigmatic Houghton House, a hunting lodge built in the early 17th century for Mary Herbert, Countess of Pembroke. The house stands tall, evoking a potent sense of the past with its unusual blend of Jacobean and classical design.

The house retains two impressive early elements of classical architecture, its two loggias, attributed to Inigo Jones, an iconic English architect, and designer. Perhaps the most striking feature of the house is its mysterious past, which has given rise to legends, myths, and conspiracies over the years.

Mary Herbert, the Dowager Countess of Pembroke, was a member of the royal court and well-connected with influential people in England. She commissioned the construction of Houghton House in 1615 on land gifted to her by James I. It was built to be an elaborate hunting lodge for Mary, who was fond of hunting, and was designed by two architects: John Thorpe and Inigo Jones. The building, completed in 1621, was an exceptional mix of classical and Tudor architecture.

After Mary’s death, Houghton House was granted to the wealthy and powerful Bruce family, led by Robert Bruce, Earl of Ailesbury. The Bruces transformed it from a summer residence, occupied only during the warm months of the year, into a luxurious family home. The grand staircase that they introduced in the hall, made of intricately carved wood and decorated plaster, still stands today. The magnificent staircase was later moved to the Swan Inn in Bedford when the house was dismantled in the late 18th century.

Houghton House’s intriguing history has inspired many mythical legends and powerful conspiracies over the years. The house is rumoured to have been the model for John Bunyan’s ‘Palace Beautiful’ in his religious classic, The Pilgrim’s Progress, a tale about the journey of the soul towards heaven.

Houghton House is not just a hunting lodge or a family home, but a place where legends and myths meet reality. Melancholy, mystery, and beauty permeate every corner of this iconic building, and we can only wonder about the stories waiting to be discovered.