Nice ruins and beautiful views from here. Cool place to have a picnic. Be aware carpark is very small and no facilities.

It’s a ruin. It’s also a sort of poetry of shapes and sizes in bricks that has the best view in Bedfordshire. Take a picnic. And a camera. And a history book. Imagine what it was like to live in.

Beautiful little visit. Shame about the vandalism engraved in the walls, but it's still so fascinating and beautiful to walk around. So much history and great architectural work.

A 17th century mansion, now unfortunately just a shell remains. This does not distract from the stunning architecture and views surrounding the property. Detailed and interesting information boards regarding the property are dotted around. Great photos to be had, and perfect for a picnic. This property is owned by English Heritage. There are no staff present and no entry fee. There is CCTV to monitor the the property. A small car park area is close, very limited spaces. There are no facilities such as toilets etc at this location. Definitely worth a visit, I will certainly be returning in the near future.

Houghton House is a ruined mansion house in the parish of Houghton conquest, Bedfordshire. Houghton House was built in the early 17th century by Mary Herbert, Countess of Pembroke, as an elaborate hunting lodge. An unusual mix of Jacobean and classical design, it retains two important early elements of classical architecture in the form of its two loggias, which have been attributed to Inigo Jones. The house may have been the inspiration for the ‘Palace Beautiful’ in the 17th-century Christian writer John Bunyan’s religious epic, The Pilgrim’s Progress. When it was dismantled in 1797, the ruins survived as a garden feature in the grounds of nearby Ampthill Park.

Houghton House is the shell of a 17th-century mansion, which was built around 1615 for Mary, Dowager Countess of Pembroke, in a mixture of Jacobean and Classical styles. Open daily from 10 am until 6 pm or dusk, whichever is earliest. Exact location: Hazelwood Lane, Ampthill, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK45 2EY. There are no toilet facilities and no litter bins there. The ruins looks very impressive and you can only imagine how the house looked back then. It is very beautiful area indeed where you can have picnic with the family on a sunny day or just relax and take those all picturesque views in. From very helpful information panels you can find out a lot about the history of the house and their occupants. Be aware, there is only limited car park with short walking distance from the ruins, which if you are lucky to park there, will be only up the road on the left handside. If that car park already full, you can park in Ampthill and walk from there, approximately 1 mile. If you like historical ruins , like we do, you will like this place too!

It's always wonderful to visit this place. It is both incredibly eerie and stunningly beautiful at the same time. Apparently designed by (or at the least, influenced by) Inigo Jones in the early 17th C. Though now obviously in a state of disrepair. Supposedly, this is the inspiration for House Beautiful in John Bunyan's a Pilgrim's Progress, and I can certainly believe it. Even today, in its delapidated state, it is a wonderous sight, overlooking much of the Ouse Valley to its North. Goodness knows how impressive and beautiful it must have been in its heyday. A really worthwhile visit, especially if you're passing nearby, perhaps if you were travelling South on the A6 this would be a consideration for you. Entry is free too!

Turn off the main road and immediately left along a single track concrete road for about half a mile. There are passing places. Then a small free car park. Walk along an unmade road and down a tree lined avenue. Entrance is free. Information boards tell the history of this ruin, which must have been spectacular in its day, with outstanding views across what was once a hunting range. There is still plenty to see and wonder about.

Ruins of a 17th Century mansion with spectacular views. Just off the Greensand Ridge Path, north of Ampthill in Bedfordshire. Well worth a visit.

A really interesting and captivating ruin very well maintained for posterity. We came across it in the middle of an excellent local walk and enjoyed reading the history and layout plans on the visitor panels - all for free !

Marvellous ruins of Houghton House built in 1615 and now part of the English Heritage portfolio. Excellent photo opportunities when others have the decency to move out of shot! Information boards in many of the rooms and outside detailing the house layout. Also the setting is spectacular, giving some lovely views across the Bedfordshire countryside. Well worth a look if in the area.

What a find. Out of the way and so dramatic on the hill top. Ruins but with a story. The land around is beautiful viewing on a good day. It evokes wonderment about how people lived and of those walls could talk and what they would have seen! It's fun seeing the old graffiti on stone. Loving the windows intact. You do walk past a farm so know there might be the whiff of sileage occasionally! Uneven ground so walk carefully.

This place is definitely worth visiting. It’s free! It’s a cool place to check out/have a picnic. The views are stunning. It’s a single track road to get here, once you turn off from the main road…plenty of passing points. There is only a few spaces to park, only about 4 or 5 cars can park up. It says, park at your own risk. I parked up, and then it’s a short walk to houghton house. I felt safe, it was just myself and buddy. And my vehicle was absolutely fine too. You can access houghton house via the footpaths -The John Bunyan trail. A circular route is available. But I didn’t fancy taking buddy through the wheat fields.

Car park was quite small. Nice walk up to the mansion ruins. Well preserved and good to see what remains of the original window frames. Some good picnic spots with lovely views

Gorgeous ruins and plenty of Red Kites circling around.

A beautiful place that would have been awe inspiring if finished

Lovely quiet spot on scarp over looking the Vale of Bedford. Romantic ruin. Great place for a picnic. Not much parking. A bit of a walk.

It's a really well-preserved site. The ruins are amazing, and it's very enjoyable to go around to explore. The information boards are also dotted about, and it is nice to have a read of them. There is a tiny car park with space for about 6-7 cars. There is also nice green space around the ruins to relax or have a picnic. The walk from the car park to the site takes about 5 minutes and is signposted quite well. It is very scenic and would recommend a visit.

Houghton House today is the shell of a 17th-century mansion commanding magnificent views, reputedly the inspiration for the ‘House Beautiful’ in John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress. It was built around 1615 for Mary, Dowager Countess of Pembroke, in a mixture of Jacobean and Classical styles: the ground floors of two Italianate loggias survive, possibly the work of Inigo Jones.

Huge place, worth a look, shame no one could have saved it as would have been an amazing house, views are great and above all, it’s free

Beautiful ruins, went with my husband and dog and had the place to ourselves. Great to be able to have an explore.

Beautiful area to walk around, there's a few good parking spots and a lovely trail to follow up to the house. Definitely recommend!

Access along narrow farm track. Parking available for around 8 cars. Good view of ruined house across field near car park. Follow path to pedestrian access path. Walk the tree lined path to house. Free to enter. Walk around the rooms. Each room has a fireplace.