DiCamillo Companion
England

Ampthill Park (Great Park House)

  • Built / Designed For: John, 1st Baron Ashburnham

    House & Family History: On the death of Lord Upper Ossory in 1818, Ampthill became the seat of Lord and Lady Holland, the Whig man-and-wife team who were famous for the political and intellecutal gatherings they hosted at their London home, Holland House. During World War II there was a farming camp near Ampthill where volunteers recovered sugarbeet and were accommodated in tents on the grounds of the house. In the latter part of the 20th century Ampthill served as a Cheshire Home for the Disabled. The house was divided into four homes between 1979 and 1980, when the main block was split into two dwellings (The Hollands and Ashburnham) and each wing was converted into a home, The Ossory and Chambers Wing. Ampthill Park was the burial place for the golden hare in the Kit Williams treasure hunt "Masquerade."

  • Architect: William Winde (Wynne)

    Date: 1706
    Designed: Advised 1st Baron Ashburnham on interior decoration

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    Architect: John Lumley

    Date: 1704-07
    Designed: Surveyor for 1st Baron Ashburnham

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    Architect: Robert Grumbold

    Date: 1680s
    Designed: Employed by the 1st Earl of Ailesbury for unspecified work

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    Architect: William Oldham Chambers

    Date: 1768-72
    Designed: Remodeled side blocks, added 3-sided bay to northeast block, encased the whole house in stucco, and redecorated interiors, all for 2nd Earl of Upper Ossory.

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  • 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. I, 1818.

    Country Life: CL, 1085, 1971. Feb 4 & 11, 2026.

  • Title: Biographical Dictionary of British Architects, 1600-1840, A - HARDBACK
    Author: Colvin, Howard
    Year Published: 2008
    Reference: pgs. 243, 455, 665, 1135
    Publisher: New Haven: Yale University Press
    ISBN: 9780300125085
    Book Type: Hardback

    Title: Goodwood: Art and Architecture, Sport and Family
    Author: Baird, Rosemary
    Year Published: 2007
    Reference: pg. 105
    Publisher: London: Frances Lincoln Limited
    ISBN: 9780711227699
    Book Type: Hardback

  • House Listed: Grade II*

    Park Listed: Grade II

  • Past Seat / Home of: Robert Bruce, 1st Earl of Ailesbury and 2nd Earl of Elgin, until 1685. John Ashburnham, 1st Baron Ashburnham, until 1710. John FitzPatrick, 1st Earl of Upper Ossory, until 1758; John FitzPatrick, 2nd Earl of Upper Ossory, 1758-1818. Henry Richard Vassall-Fox, 3rd Baron Holland, 1818-40.

    Current Ownership Type: Other

    Primary Current Ownership Use: Flats / Multi Family

    Ownership Details: Converted into four homes 1979-80

  • House Open to Public: No

    Historic Houses Member: No

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