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Coordinates: 51°52′22″N 0°12′53″W / 51.8728°N 0.2148°W / 51.8728; -0.2148
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{{Short description|Country house in Hertfordshire, England}}
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[[Image:Knebworth W front.JPG|thumb|right|300px|Knebworth House]]
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
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'''Knebworth House''' is an [[English country house]] in the parish of [[Knebworth]] in [[Hertfordshire]]. It is best known for being a [[rock music|rock]] concert venue, particularly between the 1970s-1990s. It is a [[Listed building#Categories of listed buildings|Grade II*]] [[listed building]].<ref> {{NHLE|num = 1102767| desc= KNEBWORTH HOUSE |accessdate = 11 May 2015}} </ref> Its gardens are also listed [[Register of Historic Parks and Gardens of special historic interest in England#Eligibility|Grade II*]] on the [[Register of Historic Parks and Gardens of special historic interest in England|Register of Historic Parks and Gardens]].<ref name=NHLEhouse>{{NHLE|num=1000255|desc=Knebworth|access-date=16 February 2018|mode=cs2}}</ref> In its surrounding park is the medieval St. Mary's Church and the [[Lytton Mausoleum|Lytton family mausoleum]].
{{Use British English|date=February 2023}}
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[[Image:Knebworth W front.JPG|thumb|right|300px|Knebworth House in 2007]]
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'''Knebworth House''' is an [[English country house]] in the parish of [[Knebworth]] in [[Hertfordshire]], England. It is a [[Listed building#Categories of listed building|Grade II*]] [[listed building]].<ref>{{NHLE|num = 1102767| desc= KNEBWORTH HOUSE |access-date = 11 May 2015}}</ref> Its gardens are also listed [[Register of Historic Parks and Gardens of special historic interest in England#Eligibility|Grade II*]] on the [[Register of Historic Parks and Gardens of special historic interest in England|Register of Historic Parks and Gardens]].<ref name=NHLEhouse>{{NHLE|num=1000255|desc=Knebworth|access-date=16 February 2018|mode=cs2}}</ref> In its surrounding park are the medieval [[Church of St Mary and St Thomas, Knebworth|St. Mary's Church]] and the [[Lytton Mausoleum|Lytton family mausoleum]]. It was the seat of the [[Earl of Lytton]] (also Viscount Knebworth), and now the house of the family of the [[Baron Cobbold]] of Knebworth.


The grounds are home to the [[Knebworth Festival]], a recurring open-air rock and pop concert held since 1974.
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==History and description==
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The home of the [[Earl of Lytton|Lytton family]] since 1490, when Thomas Bourchier sold the [[Reversion (law)|reversion]] of the manor to Sir Robert Lytton, Knebworth House was originally a red-brick [[Gothic architecture|Late Gothic]] [[manor house]], built round a [[courtyard|central court]] as an open square. In 1813-16 the house was reduced to its west wing,<ref>[http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.asp?compid=43588 'Parishes: Knebworth', ''A History of the County of Hertford'': volume 3 (1912), pp. 111-18.] Date accessed: 27 August 2007].</ref> which was remodelled in a Tudor Gothic style by [[John Biagio Rebecca]] for [[Mrs Bulwer-Lytton]],<ref>[[Howard Colvin|Colvin, Howard]] (1995) ''A Biographical Dictionary of British Architects 1600-1840'', 3rd ed. New Haven: [[Yale University Press]], ''s.v.'' "John Biagio Rebecca".</ref> and then was transformed in 1843-45 by [[Henry Edward Kendall Jr.]] into the present [[Gothic Revival|Tudor Gothic]] structure.<ref>[[Howard Colvin|Colvin, Howard]] (1995) ''A Biographical Dictionary of British Architects 1600-1840'', 3rd ed. New Haven: Yale University Press, ''s.v.'' "Henry Edward Kendall", note.</ref>


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==History==
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Knebworth's most famous resident was [[Edward Bulwer-Lytton]] (1803-1873), the [[Victorian literature|Victorian author]], dramatist and statesman, who embellished the gardens in a [[Giardino all'italiana|formal Italianate fashion]]. The 1st Baron's great-grandson [[Neville Bulwer-Lytton, 3rd Earl of Lytton|Neville]] (1879-1951) married [[Judith Blunt-Lytton, 16th Baroness Wentworth|Judith Blunt]], a well known horse breeder who inherited [[Crabbet Arabian Stud]] in 1917 and devoted her life to it. In 1913-1914 the house was leased for £3,000 per year by [[Grand Duke Michael Alexandrovich of Russia]] and his [[Morganatic marriage | morganatic]] wife [[Natalia Brasova]].<ref>Donald Crawford, ''The Last Tsar: Emperor Michael II'' (Kindle Location 630.) Murray McLellan. Kindle Edition</ref>
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[[File:Mausoleum at Knebworth House Herts - geograph.org.uk - 476189.jpg|thumb|left|Lytton Mausoleum in June 2007|270x270px]]
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The home of the [[Earl of Lytton|Lytton family]] since 1490, when Thomas Bourchier sold the [[Reversion (law)|reversion]] of the manor to Sir Robert Lytton, Knebworth House was originally a red-brick [[Gothic architecture|Late Gothic]] [[manor house]], built round a [[courtyard|central court]] as an open square. In 1813–16 the house was reduced to its west wing,<ref>[http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.asp?compid=43588 'Parishes: Knebworth', ''A History of the County of Hertford'': volume 3 (1912), pp. 111-18.] Date accessed: 27 August 2007].</ref> which was remodelled in a Tudor Gothic style by [[John Biagio Rebecca]] for [[Mrs Bulwer-Lytton]],<ref>[[Howard Colvin|Colvin, Howard]] (1995) ''A Biographical Dictionary of British Architects 1600-1840'', 3rd ed. New Haven: [[Yale University Press]], ''s.v.'' "John Biagio Rebecca".</ref> and then was transformed in 1843-45 by [[Henry Edward Kendall Jr.]] into the present [[Gothic Revival|Tudor Gothic]] structure.<ref>[[Howard Colvin|Colvin, Howard]] (1995) ''A Biographical Dictionary of British Architects 1600-1840'', 3rd ed. New Haven: Yale University Press, ''s.v.'' "Henry Edward Kendall", note.</ref>


⚫
Knebworth's most famous resident was [[Edward Bulwer-Lytton]] (1803–1873), the [[Victorian literature|Victorian author]], dramatist and statesman, who embellished the gardens in a [[Giardino all'italiana|formal Italianate fashion]]. The 1st Baron's great-grandson [[Neville Bulwer-Lytton, 3rd Earl of Lytton|Neville]] (1879–1951) married [[Judith Blunt-Lytton, 16th Baroness Wentworth|Judith Blunt]], a well known horse breeder who inherited [[Crabbet Arabian Stud]] in 1917 and devoted her life to it. In 1913–1914 the house was leased for £3,000 per year by [[Grand Duke Michael Alexandrovich of Russia]] and his [[Morganatic marriage|morganatic]] wife [[Natalia Brasova]].<ref>Donald Crawford, ''The Last Tsar: Emperor Michael II'' (Kindle Location 630.) Murray McLellan. Kindle Edition</ref>
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Much of the interior of Knebworth House was redesigned by [[Sir Edwin Lutyens]], who married Lady Emily Bulwer-Lytton (1874-1964) - he simplified the main [[parterre]]. Lady Emily was the daughter of [[Robert Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Earl of Lytton|The 1st Earl of Lytton]], who served as [[Viceroy of India]] between 1876 and 1880. A [[herb garden]], with an interlaced [[quincunx]] design, was drawn by [[Gertrude Jekyll]] in 1907, although not planted until 1982.


⚫
Much of the interior of Knebworth House was redesigned by [[Sir Edwin Lutyens]], who married Lady Emily Bulwer-Lytton (1874–1964) – he simplified the main [[parterre]]. Lady Emily was the daughter of [[Robert Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Earl of Lytton|the 1st Earl of Lytton]], who served as [[Viceroy of India]] between 1876 and 1880. A [[herb garden]], with an interlaced [[quincunx]] design, was drawn by [[Gertrude Jekyll]] in 1907, although not planted until 1982. The grounds are also open to the public.
==The house today==
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{{See also|Concerts at Knebworth House}}
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[[File:Mausoleum at Knebworth House Herts - geograph.org.uk - 476189.jpg|thumbnail|Lytton Mausoleum]]
As of 2019, its residents are [[Henry Lytton-Cobbold]] and his family. He had a career in the film industry, living for some years in Los Angeles, and so the house and gardens are frequently used for filming.


[[Henry Lytton Cobbold, 3rd Baron Cobbold|The 3rd Baron Cobbold]] lives at the house with his family. After a career in the film industry in Los Angeles, he lets production companies film on location in the house and gardens. The grounds include tourist attractions such as an [[adventure playground]] and dinosaur park and host various events including [[classic car]] rallies.
They are also open to the public. The grounds include tourist attractions such as an [[adventure playground]] and dinosaur park and host various events including [[classic car]] rallies. Since 1974, [[concerts at Knebworth House]] have featured the likes of [[Robbie Williams]], [[Lynyrd Skynyrd]], [[The Rolling Stones]], [[Led Zeppelin]], [[Pink Floyd]], [[Queen (band)|Queen]], [[Paul McCartney]], [[Genesis (band)|Genesis]], [[Mike Oldfield]], [[The Beach Boys]], [[Deep Purple]], [[Eric Clapton]], [[Elton John]], [[Dire Straits]], [[Red Hot Chili Peppers]], [[Iron Maiden]] and [[Oasis (band)|Oasis]].<ref>[http://www.knebworthhouse.com/rock/rockconcerts.htm "Knebworth: The Stately Home of Rock"]. Knebworth House.com. Retrieved 19 February 2011</ref>


==Media==
==Music festival==
Beginning in 1974, a recurring open-air rock and pop concert known as the [[Knebworth Festival]] has been held in the grounds. The festival first occurred in July 1974 when [[The Allman Brothers Band]], [[The Doobie Brothers]] and other artists played to an audience of 60,000 people. Over the years the festival has featured major artists such as [[Pink Floyd]], [[The Rolling Stones]], [[Led Zeppelin]], [[Lynyrd Skynyrd]], [[Queen (band)|Queen]] (their 1986 concert at the venue their last with [[Freddie Mercury]]), [[Paul McCartney]], [[Genesis (band)|Genesis]], [[Mike Oldfield]], [[The Beach Boys]], [[Deep Purple]], [[Eric Clapton]], [[Elton John]], [[Dire Straits]], [[Robbie Williams]], [[Oasis (band)|Oasis]] and [[Liam Gallagher]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.knebworthhouse.com/cool_timeline/knebworth-festival/|title= Knebworth Festival|work=knebworthhouse.com}}</ref>
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Local radio station [[BOB_fm_(Hertfordshire)|BOB FM]] broadcasts from the old [[pump house]], which provided water for the house.


==Media==
Numerous films and television series have been shot at Knebworth, including:
{{sources|section|date=June 2023}}
* ''[[Anastasia (1956 film)|Anastasia]]'' (1956) - Palace of the Empress
===Films and television===
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* ''[[Danger Man]]'' - "The Sanctuary" (1959)
Productions that have been filmed at Knebworth include:
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* ''[[The Champions]]'' - "The Night People" (1967)
* ''[[The Avengers (TV series)|The Avengers]]'' - "Invasion of the Earthmen" (1967/68)
* ''[[Anastasia (1956 film)|Anastasia]]'' (1956) – palace of the Empress
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* ''[[Danger Man]]'' – "The Sanctuary" (1959)
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* ''[[The Champions]]'' – "The Night People" (1967)
* ''[[The Avengers (TV series)|The Avengers]]'' – "Invasion of the Earthmen" (1967/68)
* ''[[Decline and Fall... of a Birdwatcher]]'' (1968)
* ''[[Decline and Fall... of a Birdwatcher]]'' (1968)
* ''[[Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased)]]'' - "[[Somebody Just Walked Over My Grave]]" (1969)
* ''[[Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased)]]'' – "[[Somebody Just Walked Over My Grave]]" (1969)
* ''[[Carry On Henry]]'' - Exterior shots (1970)
* ''[[Carry On Henry]]'' - Exterior shots (1970)
* ''[[The Persuaders!]]'' - opening credits (1970/71)
* ''[[The Persuaders!]]'' - opening credits (1970/71)
* ''[[The Adventurer (TV series)|The Adventurer]]'' - "Action!" (1972)
* ''[[The Adventurer (TV series)|The Adventurer]]'' – "Action!" (1972)
* ''[[Horror Hospital]]'' (1973)
* ''[[Horror Hospital]]'' (1973)
* ''[[Keep It Up Downstairs]]'' (1976) - filmed entirely on location as the fictitious 'Cockshute Towers'
* ''[[Keep It Up Downstairs]]'' (1976) – filmed entirely on location as the fictitious 'Cockshute Towers'
* ''[[Beauty and the Beast]]'' (1976) - served as the castle of the Beast, along with Sudeley Castle and Salisbury Hall
* ''[[The Big Sleep (1978 film)|The Big Sleep]]'' (1978) - General Sternwood's country mansion
* ''[[The Great Muppet Caper]]'' (1981) - exterior of the Mallory Gallery
* ''[[The Big Sleep (1978 film)|The Big Sleep]]'' (1978) – General Sternwood's country mansion
* ''[[The Great Muppet Caper]]'' (1981) – exterior of the Mallory Gallery
* ''[[Sir Henry at Rawlinson End (film)|Sir Henry at Rawlinson End]]'' (1980) - interior and exterior
* ''[[Sir Henry at Rawlinson End (film)|Sir Henry at Rawlinson End]]'' (1980) – interior and exterior
* ''[[The Shooting Party]]'' (1985) - filmed entirely on location
* ''[[Haunted Honeymoon]]'' (1986) - exterior of the home
* ''[[The Shooting Party]]'' (1985) – filmed entirely on location
* ''[[Porterhouse_Blue#TV_mini-series|Porterhouse Blue]]'' (1987) - interior and exterior of the home of Sir Cathcart D'Eath
* ''[[Haunted Honeymoon]]'' (1986) – exterior of the home
* ''[[The Lair of the White Worm (film)|''The Lair of the White Worm'']]'' (1988) - exterior of the D'Ampton mansion
* ''[[Porterhouse Blue#TV mini-series|Porterhouse Blue]]'' (1987) – interior and exterior of the home of Sir Cathcart D'Eath
* ''[[Batman (1989 film)|Batman]]'' (1989) - exterior scenes of [[Wayne Manor|Bruce Wayne's manor]]
* ''[[The Lair of the White Worm (film)|''The Lair of the White Worm'']]'' (1988) – exterior of the D'Ampton mansion
* ''[[Batman (1989 film)|Batman]]'' (1989) – exterior and some interior scenes of [[Bruce Wayne (1989 film series character)|Bruce Wayne's]] [[Wayne Manor|manor]]
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* ''[[A Bit of Fry & Laurie]]'' (1995) – [[List of A Bit of Fry & Laurie episodes#Episode 6 (19 March 1995)|Season Four, Episode 6]], "The Duke of Northhampton" sketch.
* ''Knebworth – the Event 1990'' (1990) – a benefit concert held in aid of [[Nordoff–Robbins music therapy|Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy]] by winners of the [[Silver Clef Award]], attended by 120,000 people. Performers included: [[Cliff Richard]] & [[The Shadows]], [[Page and Plant|Robert Plant & Jimmy Page]], [[Elton John]], [[Dire Straits]], [[Status Quo (band)|Status Quo]], [[Tears for Fears]], [[Paul McCartney]], [[Genesis (band)|Genesis]], and was headlined by [[Pink Floyd]]. The performances have been released on many formats since.
* ''[[Lovejoy]]'' (1991) ''Series 2 Episode 4 ("Montezumas Revenge")''
⚫
* ''[[A Bit of Fry & Laurie]]'' – [[List of A Bit of Fry & Laurie episodes#Episode 6 (19 March 1995)|Season Four, Episode 6]] ("The Duke of Northhampton") (1995) - sketch
* ''[[The Canterville Ghost (1996 film)|The Canterville Ghost]]'' (1996)
* ''[[The Canterville Ghost (1996 film)|The Canterville Ghost]]'' (1996)
⚫
*''[[Jane Eyre (1997 film)|Jane Eyre]]'' (1997) – Thornfield Hall
* ''[[Sacred Flesh]]'' (1999) - exterior scenes of the convent
* ''[[Sacred Flesh]]'' (1999) – exterior scenes of the convent
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* ''[[Jane Eyre (1997 film)|Jane Eyre]]'' (1997) - Thornfield Hall
*''[[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (film)|Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone]]'' (2001) - the house was used in several pieces of promotional material for the film, and hosted the film's international launch, though no parts of the house were used in shooting of the film itself.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Davies|first=Alan|date=2021-12-30|title=Harry Potter's links to Hertfordshire ahead of anniversary special|url=https://www.whtimes.co.uk/things-to-do/harry-potter-20th-anniversary-hogwarts-reunion-8500364|access-date=2021-12-31|website=Welwyn Hatfield Times|language=en-UK}}</ref>
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* ''[[Agent Cody Banks 2: Destination London]]'' (2004) - some scenes in and around the grounds
* ''[[28 Days Later]]'' (2002)<ref>{{cite web |title=What films were shot at Knebworth House in Hertfordshire? |url=https://www.greatbritishlife.co.uk/travel/23666628.films-shot-knebworth-house-hertfordshire/ |website=Great British Life |access-date=17 March 2024}}</ref>
* ''[[Foyle's War (series3)]]'' "Enemy Fire"'' (2002) - as the fictional Digby Manor
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* ''[[Agent Cody Banks 2: Destination London]]'' (2004) – some scenes in and around the grounds
* ''[[Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (film)|Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire]]'' (2005) - Yule Ball Staircase Scene{{Citation needed|reason=Fact seems dubious. Staircases in Knebworth House and film do not look alike.|date=April 2019}}
* ''[[St Trinian's 2: The Legend of Fritton's Gold]]'' - (2009) used as the St.Trinian's all girl school.
* ''[[Foyle's War]] Series 3 Episode 2 ("Enemy Fire") '' (2004) – as the fictional Digby Manor
* ''[[Match Point]]'' (2005)
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* ''[[Jonathan Creek]]'' - provided the location of ''Metropolis'' in the 2008 Christmas Special.
* ''[[The Queen (2006 film)|The Queen]]'' (2006)<ref>{{cite web |title=The King's Speech Filming Locations |url=https://movie-locations.com/movies/k/Kings-Speech.php |website=Movie Locations |access-date=17 March 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=England's Knebworth House |url=https://blog.moviemaps.org/page/43 |website=Tumblr |publisher=Movie Maps |access-date=17 March 2024}}</ref>
* ''[[The King's Speech]]'' (2010) - Balmoral Party and other scenes
* ''[[St Trinian's 2: The Legend of Fritton's Gold]]'' (2009) – used as the St. Trinian's all girl school
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* ''[[Agatha Christie's Marple]]'' (2010) - significant interior and exterior scenes.
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* ''[[Jonathan Creek]]'' – provided the location of ''Metropolis'' (2008 Christmas Special)
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* ''[[The Hour (BBC TV series)|The Hour]]'' (2011) - Lord Elms residence
* ''[[The Scapegoat (2012 film)|The Scapegoat]]'' (2012) - significant interior and exterior scenes
* ''[[The King's Speech]]'' (2010) – Balmoral Party and other scenes
* ''[[Agatha Christie's Marple]]'' (2010) – significant interior and exterior scenes, including in Season 1, Episode 3, "4.50 from Paddington," with Knebworth House and estate standing in for the fictional Rutherford Hall
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* ''[[Midsomer Murders]]'' Series 15 Episode 1 ("The Dark Rider") - significant exterior scenes.
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* ''[[The Hour (BBC TV series)|The Hour]]'' (2011) – Lord Elms residence
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* "[[Woman Like Me]]" (2018 music video) - Little Mix
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* ''[[The Scapegoat (2012 film)|The Scapegoat]]'' (2012) – significant interior and exterior scenes
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* ''[[Midsomer Murders]]'' ''Series 15 Episode 1 ("The Dark Rider")'' – significant exterior scenes
⚫
* ''[[Woman Like Me]]'' (2018 music video) – [[Little Mix]]
* ''[[Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga]]'' (2020) – exterior shots of Alexander Lemtov's British house
* Meerkat Music Presents: [[Little Mix#Little Mix Uncancelled|Little Mix Uncancelled]] (2020 Virtual Concert)
* ''[[The Nevers]]'' (Season 1 Episodes 3 and 4) (2021–) – exterior scenes
* ''[[Knebworth 1996]]'' – Oasis: Knebworth 1996 (2021) – Concert Documentary surrounding Oasis' record-breaking 1996 concerts at Knebworth Park. Also released as a live album
*''[[You (season 4)]]'' – American [[psychological thriller]] television series
*''[[The_Crown_(TV_series)|The Crown]]'' - Interiors used as Balmoral<ref>{{cite web |title=What films were shot at Knebworth House in Hertfordshire? |url=https://www.greatbritishlife.co.uk/travel/23666628.films-shot-knebworth-house-hertfordshire/ |website=Great British Life |access-date=17 March 2024}}</ref>
*''[[The Flash (film)|The Flash]]'' (2023) – Exterior of [[Wayne Manor]] on [[List of DC Multiverse worlds|Earth-89]]
*''[[The Gentlemen (2024 TV series)|The Gentlemen]]'' (2024) – Season 1 Episode 4. Called 'Dorset Hall', home to the 8th Lord Bassington

===Radio===
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Local radio station [[BOB fm (Hertfordshire)|BOB FM]] (now [[Heart Hertfordshire]]) broadcast from Knebworth's former [[pump house]], which used to provide water to the main house.


==See also==
==See also==
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==Notes==
==Notes==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}

{{commonscat|Knebworth House}}


==External links==
==External links==
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{{Commons category|Knebworth House}}
* [https://www.knebworthhouse.com Knebworth House website]
* [https://www.knebworthhouse.com Knebworth House website]
* [https://www.flickr.com/groups/knebworthhouse/ Flickr Knebworth House Photo Group]
* [https://www.flickr.com/groups/knebworthhouse/ Flickr Knebworth House Photo Group]
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{{Listed buildings in Hertfordshire}}
{{Listed buildings in Hertfordshire}}
{{Edward Bulwer-Lytton}}
{{Edward Bulwer-Lytton}}
{{Authority control}}
{{coord|51.8728|-0.2148|type:landmark_region:GB-HRT|display=title}}
{{Coord|51.8728|-0.2148|type:landmark_region:GB-HRT|display=title}}


[[Category:Gardens in Hertfordshire]]
[[Category:Gardens in Hertfordshire]]
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[[Category:Lytton family]]
[[Category:Lytton family]]
[[Category:Grade II* listed houses]]
[[Category:Grade II* listed houses]]
[[Category:Wrestling venues]]
[[Category:Wrestling venues in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Grade II* listed parks and gardens in Hertfordshire]]
[[Category:Grade II* listed parks and gardens in Hertfordshire]]
[[Category:North Hertfordshire District]]
[[Category:Works of Edwin Lutyens in England]]
[[Category:Works of Edwin Lutyens]]
[[Category:Knebworth|House]]

Latest revision as of 11:22, 29 November 2024

Knebworth House in 2007

Knebworth House is an English country house in the parish of Knebworth in Hertfordshire, England. It is a Grade II* listed building.[1] Its gardens are also listed Grade II* on the Register of Historic Parks and Gardens.[2] In its surrounding park are the medieval St. Mary's Church and the Lytton family mausoleum. It was the seat of the Earl of Lytton (also Viscount Knebworth), and now the house of the family of the Baron Cobbold of Knebworth.

The grounds are home to the Knebworth Festival, a recurring open-air rock and pop concert held since 1974.

History

[edit]
Lytton Mausoleum in June 2007

The home of the Lytton family since 1490, when Thomas Bourchier sold the reversion of the manor to Sir Robert Lytton, Knebworth House was originally a red-brick Late Gothic manor house, built round a central court as an open square. In 1813–16 the house was reduced to its west wing,[3] which was remodelled in a Tudor Gothic style by John Biagio Rebecca for Mrs Bulwer-Lytton,[4] and then was transformed in 1843-45 by Henry Edward Kendall Jr. into the present Tudor Gothic structure.[5]

Knebworth's most famous resident was Edward Bulwer-Lytton (1803–1873), the Victorian author, dramatist and statesman, who embellished the gardens in a formal Italianate fashion. The 1st Baron's great-grandson Neville (1879–1951) married Judith Blunt, a well known horse breeder who inherited Crabbet Arabian Stud in 1917 and devoted her life to it. In 1913–1914 the house was leased for £3,000 per year by Grand Duke Michael Alexandrovich of Russia and his morganatic wife Natalia Brasova.[6]

Much of the interior of Knebworth House was redesigned by Sir Edwin Lutyens, who married Lady Emily Bulwer-Lytton (1874–1964) – he simplified the main parterre. Lady Emily was the daughter of the 1st Earl of Lytton, who served as Viceroy of India between 1876 and 1880. A herb garden, with an interlaced quincunx design, was drawn by Gertrude Jekyll in 1907, although not planted until 1982. The grounds are also open to the public.

The 3rd Baron Cobbold lives at the house with his family. After a career in the film industry in Los Angeles, he lets production companies film on location in the house and gardens. The grounds include tourist attractions such as an adventure playground and dinosaur park and host various events including classic car rallies.

Music festival

[edit]

Beginning in 1974, a recurring open-air rock and pop concert known as the Knebworth Festival has been held in the grounds. The festival first occurred in July 1974 when The Allman Brothers Band, The Doobie Brothers and other artists played to an audience of 60,000 people. Over the years the festival has featured major artists such as Pink Floyd, The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Queen (their 1986 concert at the venue their last with Freddie Mercury), Paul McCartney, Genesis, Mike Oldfield, The Beach Boys, Deep Purple, Eric Clapton, Elton John, Dire Straits, Robbie Williams, Oasis and Liam Gallagher.[7]

Media

[edit]

Films and television

[edit]

Productions that have been filmed at Knebworth include:

Radio

[edit]

Local radio station BOB FM (now Heart Hertfordshire) broadcast from Knebworth's former pump house, which used to provide water to the main house.

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Historic England. "KNEBWORTH HOUSE (1102767)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 11 May 2015.
  2. ^ Historic England, "Knebworth (1000255)", National Heritage List for England, retrieved 16 February 2018
  3. ^ 'Parishes: Knebworth', A History of the County of Hertford: volume 3 (1912), pp. 111-18. Date accessed: 27 August 2007].
  4. ^ Colvin, Howard (1995) A Biographical Dictionary of British Architects 1600-1840, 3rd ed. New Haven: Yale University Press, s.v. "John Biagio Rebecca".
  5. ^ Colvin, Howard (1995) A Biographical Dictionary of British Architects 1600-1840, 3rd ed. New Haven: Yale University Press, s.v. "Henry Edward Kendall", note.
  6. ^ Donald Crawford, The Last Tsar: Emperor Michael II (Kindle Location 630.) Murray McLellan. Kindle Edition
  7. ^ "Knebworth Festival". knebworthhouse.com.
  8. ^ Davies, Alan (30 December 2021). "Harry Potter's links to Hertfordshire ahead of anniversary special". Welwyn Hatfield Times. Retrieved 31 December 2021.
  9. ^ "What films were shot at Knebworth House in Hertfordshire?". Great British Life. Retrieved 17 March 2024.
  10. ^ "The King's Speech Filming Locations". Movie Locations. Retrieved 17 March 2024.
  11. ^ "England's Knebworth House". Tumblr. Movie Maps. Retrieved 17 March 2024.
  12. ^ "What films were shot at Knebworth House in Hertfordshire?". Great British Life. Retrieved 17 March 2024.
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Knebworth House.

51°52′22″N 0°12′53″W / 51.8728°N 0.2148°W / 51.8728; -0.2148

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