Category Archives: 2013

As we slip and slide, with trepidation, into another frosty winter we hope the weather will be kind on the towers and turrets of Knebworth House.  Sadly, we lost a piece of weathervane off the roof in November in the … Continue reading →

David Bowie has just announced his 100 favourite books and paid tribute to my great-great-great-grandfather Edward Bulwer Lytton by including his novel “Zanoni”.  I am happy to return the compliment by saying that I would include David Bowie in my … Continue reading →

By the time you read this I don’t know whether Balcombe Village in West Sussex will be at war or at peace.  It has been the front line over the summer in the fracking debate – and, in the media, … Continue reading →

“There was no possibility of taking a walk that day” – would have been a better opening line to “Pride and Prejudice” on 16th August, when the Chapterhouse Theatre Company performed Jane Austen’s novel in the beautiful setting of the … Continue reading →

Another important anniversary this month – but a more recent one than the stay of Grand Duke Michael of Russia.  This August marks the 10th anniversary of the visit to Knebworth of Grand Duke Robbie of Stoke-on-Trent.  Ten years?!  It … Continue reading →

Four hundred years ago, in 1613, the reign of the Romanov dynasty began in Russia with 16-year-old Mikhail Romanov.  One hundred years ago, in 1913, whilst his elder brother Tsar Nicholas was celebrating, for the last time, a Romanov centenary, … Continue reading →

Apologies if I’ve been staring at you whilst you’ve been out shopping.   I am the June cover boy of Hertfordshire Life magazine.  Or rather Knebworth House is.  But I managed to get in the way.  Apparently there’s a whole rack … Continue reading →

Today the Victorian Eastern Steps in front of Knebworth House were being restored, whilst the main house looked on jealously!  We have been able to tackle the Eastern Steps thanks to a grant from The Country Houses Foundation and some … Continue reading →

I write on the first day of our 2013 Summer Season, having just had a delicious tea in our Garden Terrace Room.  Daffodils are on the tables and a tempting selection of fresh cakes and scones sit on polished tree … Continue reading →

March 17th is the day of St Patrick So I begin by way of a “Limerick” – That’s a place west of Dublin When Lyttons have blood links That make us both mad and romantic March 17th is not only … Continue reading →