I was pleased to read Simon Jenkins’ article in The Times recently “Welcome to Britain’s stately home from homes”, which celebrates the “lived in” Historic House. The new chairman of the National Trust writes, “I have joked that I will leave in my will enough money to cover the cost of a Labrador and a child’s pushchair to put in front of every National Trust house to make it looked ‘lived-in’”. This is a refreshing change of policy for the National Trust, which has tended to prefer its heritage preserved in aspic. Knebworth House, of course, has always had that “lived-in” look (in this generation you’ll run into a Great Dane rather than a Labrador), and we’ve preferred to celebrate this, believing that it is 520-years-and-counting of Lytton family stories that are our most valuable heirlooms, and that our role in the community continues as a working one.
The Times article also announces that all National Trust properties and car parks will offer free entry on the weekend of March 20… They are catching up here too – as, I’m pleased to confirm, Knebworth House, Gardens and Park will be free to residents of Knebworth Parish on Sunday 21st March as part of our popular Parish Open Day. Entrance is via the white gate by St Mary’s only, and please bring something that indicates you live in Knebworth (i.e. a copy of this magazine). Park your pushchair outside the house, and I’ll be in the Banqueting Hall to welcome you… but possibly not with our over-sized and over-excitable Great Dane!
Henry Lytton Cobbold
www.knebworthhouse.com