Old Gorhambury House
Wheelchair accessible
The crumbling ruins of a 16th-century Elizabethan mansion, once home to Sir Nicholas Bacon and Francis Bacon, hidden in the Hertfordshire countryside near St Albans.

šŸ“œ Ruins of a 16th-century Elizabethan mansion, once home to Sir Nicholas Bacon and Francis Bacon.
šŸ” Visited by Queen Elizabeth I, showcasing early modern Italian design ideas.

Why Go

šŸ›ļø Explore significant historical ruins with grand architectural hints
🚶 Enjoy a peaceful visit in the English countryside, often getting the place to yourselves
🌳 Ideal for walks or cycling
šŸ’° Free entry

Why Avoid

🚫 No facilities on site
šŸš— Limited car access/parking, often requires a walk or cycle for most visitors (up to 2 miles)
🚧 Site is crumbling, porch tilts precariously

Tips

šŸ—“ļø Check the Gorhambury Estate website for occasional closures, especially Saturdays from Sept-Feb.
🚲 Best visited on foot or by bicycle

Cost

šŸ’° Free entry.

Hours

šŸ•’ Usually open daily 8 a.m.

  • 6 p.m., but closed Saturdays from September to February and occasionally at owner's discretion.

šŸ…æļø Parking

Limited car access on Thursdays May-Sep (2pm-5pm) using postcode AL3 6AH. Otherwise, parking 2 miles away at Verulamium Museum (charge applies) or Roman Theatre (for visitors).

šŸ• Dogs

Assistance dogs only.

Last updated 3 days ago

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