DiCamillo Companion
England

Holdenby House (Holmby House) (Holdenby Palace)

Holdenby, near Northampton

Northamptonshire

England

Circa Date: 19th century, incorporating 16th century elements

Status: Fully Extant

House Open to Public: Yes

Country House: Yes

crown This house has been used for TV and Film Historic Houses Member

A circa 1786 engraving of the 16th century gate from "Grose's Antiquities of England and Wales"

  • Earlier Houses: An earlier house, Holdenby Palace, was mostly demolished in 1651 by Captain Adam Baynes. The remaining elements of the 16th century house were incorporated into the current house.

    Built / Designed For: Sir Christopher Hatton

    House & Family History: Holdenby Palace was once one of the largest houses in England. The house was built for the entertainment of Queen Elizabeth I by Sir Christopher Hatton, Elizabeth's lord chancellor. After Charles I's defeat in the Civil War the Scots (whose prisoner he was) handed the king over to Parliament, which moved him to Holdenby Palace in February 1647 as a prisoner. With the exception of some of the offices, Holdenby Palace was mostly demolished in 1651, during the English Commonwealth. The house seen today is primarily a 19th century creation. Holdenby House today contains a fully functional armory, where suits of armor are manufactured using traditional methods.

    Comments: John Evelyn called Holdenby "One of the most pleasing sites that ever I saw."

  • Architect: Walter Edward Mills

    Date: 1887-88
    Designed: Additions

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    Architect: Richard Herbert Carpenter

    Date: 1873-75
    Designed: Rebuilt House, together with William Slater

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    Architect: William Slater

    Date: 1873-75
    Designed: Rebuilt House, together with R.H. Carpenter

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  • Country Life: XXXII, 528, 1912. CLXVI, 1286 plan, 1398, 1979.

  • Title: Althorp: The Story of an English House
    Author: Spencer, Charles
    Year Published: 1998
    Reference: pg. 64
    Publisher: London: Viking
    ISBN: 0670883220
    Book Type: Hardback

    Title: Penguin Dictionary of English and European History, 1485-1789, The
    Author: Williams, E.N.
    Year Published: 1980
    Reference: pg. 68
    Publisher: London: Allen Lane
    ISBN: 0713912391
    Book Type: Hardback

  • House Listed: Grade II*

    Park Listed: Grade I

  • "Biggles" (1986). "The Woman in White" (1997 - BBC TV). "A History of Britain" (2000 - TV documentary series). "Great Expectations" (2011 - BBC TV mini series, as Satis House exterior).

  • Current Seat / Home of: James Lowther

    Past Seat / Home of: SEATED AT EARLIER HOUSE: Sir Christopeher Hatton, 16th century. Captain Adam Baynes, 17th century. SEATED AT CURRENT HOUSE: Henry Welbore Ellis, 2nd Viscount Clifden, 19th century; Ellis family here 1802-1905. Luke Henry White, 4th Baron Annaly, 1905-45

    Current Ownership Type: Individual / Family Trust

    Primary Current Ownership Use: Private Home

  • House Open to Public: Yes

    Phone: 01604-770-074

    Fax: 01604-770-962

    Website: http://www.holdenby.com

    Historic Houses Member: Yes

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