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 flats 1979-80. 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.

  • 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 flats in 1979.

  • House Open to Public: No

    Historic Houses Member: No