Houghton House, Ampthill, Bedfordshire
Houghton House was built in the 17th century as an elaborate hunting lodge. Mary Herbert, the Dowager Countess of Pembroke, was a well-connected member of the royal court. She commissioned the lodge in 1615 on land granted to her by King James I. The building was completed by 1621 when King James honoured Mary with a visit to Houghton. This is a reconstruction drawing of the house as it may have appeared in 1767. The fifth Duke of Bedford came to own it and rented it out. Then he was unable to let it so he ordered Houghton to be dismantled in 1794. This site is now in the care of English Heritage (2011).
