About
Old Gorhambury House is the ruined Elizabethan home of Sir Nicholas Bacon, Lord Keeper of the Great Seal, built between 1563 and 1568 outside St Albans. Its elaborate entrance porch still advertises his status, with classical columns and ornament surviving beside fragments of the once extensive mansion. His son, the philosopher Francis Bacon, later enlarged the house and gardens before a replacement residence was built elsewhere on the estate in the eighteenth century. Visitors find the information panels useful for reconstructing the lost building, but often regard the journey through the parkland as an equally rewarding part of the visit. The normal approach follows Gorhambury Drive, a permissive walking and cycling route with closure dates and strict gate times. Allow for roughly two miles each way from nearby public parking and check the estate's current notices. Pet dogs are excluded from the ruins, although the separate drive permits them on leads.
OpenSee all times
- Ruins and drive08:00 – 18:00
Opening times may change at short notice.
Last access to Gorhambury Drive is 17:30; gates lock at 18:00. Estate closures override these hours. Published upcoming closures: 19, 26 and 30 September; 3, 10, 15, 17, 24, 28 and 31 October 2026. EH also warns of general Saturday closures September-February; check the estate website for your date.
Mostly mown grass with some gravel and paving; a few steps can be avoided. Access is through a private estate with permissive routes and locked gates. No facilities at the ruins.
Estate closure information: https://www.gorhamburyestate.co.uk/Gorhambury-Drive
Free admission for everyone; membership is not required. Parking and transport are separate.
Dogs at the location: Not allowed. Only assistance dogs are admitted to the ruins.
Dog walks in the grounds: Not allowed. Only assistance dogs are admitted around the house ruins.
Dog walks in the surrounding area: Allowed with restrictions. Gorhambury Drive permits dogs on leads on its marked permissive routes; normal gate hours and estate closures apply. Public parking is separate.
Leads: Dogs must stay on leads on Gorhambury Drive.
Seasonal dog restrictions: The drive has seasonal and owner-discretion closures; check the estate notice.
Assistance dogs: Assistance dogs only at the ruins.
PricingFreeFree for all visitors
Free entry for everyone
Entry
Free for everyone
Pricing details
Free admission for everyone; membership is not required. Parking and transport are separate.
ParkingParking not known
The Trust's page does not say how parking is charged.
Parking details
The pin uses Verulamium Museum public parking, roughly two miles from the ruins via Gorhambury Drive. Charges apply but the current tariff is not confirmed. Closer vehicle access is limited to Thursdays, May-September, 14:00-17:00, subject to estate closures; otherwise do not drive onto the estate.
Walking routes1 route
Gorhambury Drive(opens the full route on the National Trust site)
WalkDogs, with restrictions
Marked permissive walking and cycling routes across the private estate from Bluehouse Hill, Beech Tree Lane and Redbourn Road. Usually 08:00-18:00, last entry 17:30, with announced closures. Paid public parking is separate; pet dogs must remain on leads and cannot enter the house ruins.
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Checked 2026-09-14
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