SOPWELL HOUSE

Deep in the Hertfordshire countryside, with the excitement of London not too far, Sopwell House is a hidden sanctuary for those who appreciate comfortable refinement and a real sense of freedom... The earliest reference to Sopwell House is found in a deed of 1603, which makes reference to the house as the newly built ‘New Barnes' Home to Richard Sadlier. Little is known about the intervening period until 1665 when the Duchess Alice/Alicia, a member of the illustrious Dudley family, took up residence during the great plague and fire of London. The name New Barnes is still in use locally today with ‘New Barnes Mill' and its bridge situated nearby... In 1670 the house was bought by Sir Harbottle Grimston, Earl of Verulam, owner of the Gorhambury estate. Gorhambury was built by Sir Richard Lee on the ruins of the Sopwell Nunnery which became the possession of Francis Bacon, the 1st Baron of Verulam. The Sopwell Nunnery is believed to have been where Anne Boleyn took refuge following her..

Primary location: St Albans United Kingdom