Earlier Houses: There was an earlier house on the site of significant historical importance; it had connections to Henry VIII, Elizabeth I, and Prince Charles (later Charles I), who is believed to have lived here. This house was probably demolished in the 18th century, when the current house was built.

Built / Designed For: Robert Raymond, Lord Chief Justice to George I

House & Family History: The current Langleybury was built in the 1720s for Robert Raymond (1673-1733), son of Judge Thomas Raymond. The younger Raymond was educated at Eton and Christ's College, Cambridge. A legal prodigy, he was supposedly admitted to Gray's Inn at the age of nine. Raymond became a barrister in 1697, was admitted at Lincoln's Inn in 1710, and, in 1725, was invested as a privy counsellor. A Tory, he was appointed as lord chief justice of the King's Bench on March 2, 1725, a post he held until his death in 1733. In 1731 he was raised to the peerage as Lord Raymond, Baron of Abbots Langley in the County of Hertford. The red brick and white stone house Raymond built still features his cipher, a griffin in a crown, on its exterior. The roof contains a parapet which is balustraded by urns, there is a ground floor central porch with a pedimented Corinthian doorcase, and the library is noted for its fine zodiac ceiling. The house was later linked to a service block by a 19th century passage. In 1947 the estate was sold to Hertfordshire County Council, who converted the house and grounds into a secondary school, Langleybury School, which opened in 1949 and closed in 1995. After the closure of the school Langleybury was home to Hertfordshire County Council Social Services offices; since the early 21st century the house has been empty and neglected; it is on both the English Heritage Buildings at Risk Register and the BBC Restoration website At Risk list. In April 2004 the house was listed for sale or long-term lease.

Garden & Outbuildings: There is a 10-acre children's farm (partly housed in the old farm attached to the house). Some of the estate buildings are used as a CCB area (close combat battle) for the outdoor combat game Airsoft.

House Listed: Grade II*

Park Listed: Not Listed

Past Seat / Home of: Robert Raymond, 1st Baron Raymond, until 1733. W.J. Loyd, mid-19th century; E.H. Loyd, late 19th century.

Current Ownership Type: Government

Primary Current Ownership Use: Unoccupied

Ownership Details: Owned by Three Rivers District Council and listed in April 2004 for sale or lease.

House Open to Public: No

Historic Houses Member: No