St. Michael, near St. Albans
Hertfordshire
England
Circa Date: 1777-90 w/19th & 20th century alterations and additions
Status: Partially Extant
William Atkinson demolished south wing 1826-28
House Open to Public: Yes
Country House: Yes
The Entrance Facade from an 1831 hand-colored print from "Neale's Views of Seats"
The Garden Facade before it was encased in white Portland stone. From an early 20th century postcard.
Earlier Houses: There was an earlier Tudor house (see Old Gorhambury House) on a different site, the ruins of which are today owned by English Heritage.
Built / Designed For: 3rd Viscount Grimston
House & Family History: The large Palladian house designed by Sir Robert Taylor in the 18th century was refaced with white Portland stone in the 1950s.
Collections: Gorhambury contains an important collection of portraits and has two chimney pieces by Piranesi. In addition, in the 18th century, Edward and Harriott Walter purchased from Piranesi a pair of ancient Roman vases that are today in the collection at Gorhambury.
Architect: William Atkinson
Date: 1826-28Architect: William Burn
Date: 1847Architect: Thomas Martin
Date: 19th centuryJohn Bernard (J.B.) Burke, published under the title of A Visitation of the Seats and Arms of the Noblemen and Gentlemen of Great Britain and Ireland, among other titles: Vol. I, p. 149, 1852.
John Preston (J.P.) Neale, published under the title of Views of the Seats of Noblemen and Gentlemen in England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland, among other titles: Vol. II, 1819.
Country Life: J.C. Rogers in Nov 25, 1933. LXXIV, 556 plan, 649 plan [Old house]. CXX, 430, 1956. CLIX, 1451 [Stained glass] 1562 [Stained glass], 1976.
Title: English Country Houses: Mid Georgian, 1760-1800
Author: Hussey, Christopher
Year Published: 1956
Reference: pg. 16
Publisher: London: Country Life Limited
ISBN: NA
Book Type: Hardback
Title: Pleasures of Antiquity: British Collectors of Greece and Rome, The
Author: Scott, Jonathan
Year Published: 2003
Reference: pg. 106
Publisher: New Haven: Yale University Press
ISBN: 0300098545
Book Type: Hardback
Title: Debrett's Peerage and Baronetage, 1990
Author: Kidd, Charles; Williamson, David (Editors)
Year Published: 1990
Reference: pg. P 1227
Publisher: London: Debrett's Peerage Limited (New York: St. Martin's Press, Inc.)
ISBN: 0312046405
Book Type: Hardback
Title: Biographical Dictionary of British Architects, 1600-1840, A - SOFTBACK
Author: Colvin, Howard
Year Published: 1995
Publisher: New Haven: Yale University Press
ISBN: 0300072074
Book Type: Softback
House Listed: Grade II*
Park Listed: Grade II
Current Seat / Home of: John Duncan Grimston, 7th Earl of Verulam; Grimston family here since the 1770s.
Past Seat / Home of: James Bucknall Grimston, 3rd Viscount Grimston, 1778-1808; James Walter Grimston, 1st Earl of Verulam and 4th Viscount Grimston, 1808-45; James Walter Grimston, 2nd Earl of Verulam, 1845-95; James Walter Grimston, 3rd Earl of Verulam, 1895-1924; James Walter Grimston, 4th Earl of Verulam, 1924-49; James Brabazon Grimston, 5th Earl of Verulam, 1949-60; John Grimston, 6th Earl of Verulam, 1960-73.
Current Ownership Type: Individual / Family Trust
Primary Current Ownership Use: Private Home
House Open to Public: Yes
Phone: 01727-854-051
Fax: 01727-843-675
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.gorhamburyestate.co.uk
Historic Houses Member: Yes