Childwickbury Manor

Childwickbury Manor is a historic country house in the hamlet of Childwickbury, Hertfordshire, on the road between St Albans and Harpenden. Historic England lists it as Childwick Bury Manor. These days it is best known as the home of film director Stanley Kubrick, who is also buried on the estate.

Can you visit Childwickbury Manor?

This is a private estate, not a museum, so there are no regular opening hours or tickets. At most you can see the house from the outside, from public roads or nearby rights of way, without stepping onto private land. Don't count on getting inside the grounds, and check independently for any public events before you travel.

How do you get there?

The manor sits in the countryside a few miles from St Albans town centre, towards Harpenden. A car or taxi from St Albans is the easiest option. Trains from London reach St Albans, but from there you will need local transport or a bike. The approach is along country lanes, so plan your route in advance.

What is the history of the house?

According to the heritage listing, the house probably has late 17th-century origins. It was altered in the 18th century, remodelled after 1854 for H. H. Toulman, and extended after 1883 for Sir John Blundell Maple. The entrance front dates from the 1850s and has a Doric porte cochere, a covered carriage entrance.

The manor is Grade II listed (listed 19 September 1978) together with its former stable ranges. Other parts of the estate are listed separately: piers and gates from around 1895, the old garden wall, a water tower in the courtyard, and stud buildings such as Stud House and the gate lodges.

Why do film fans come here?

Stanley Kubrick lived at the manor and rests here. For cinema lovers it is a reason to detour on a day around St Albans, though the appeal is the setting itself, since the interiors are closed to the public.

What else is nearby?

St Albans has its cathedral, the Roman site of Verulamium and a lively old town. Harpenden is a quiet market town with a large common. The manor fits easily into a walk or a day trip from London.

Frequently asked questions

Is the manor open to visitors? Not on a regular basis. It is a private estate with no standard visiting hours.

Can you see the house from outside? To a limited degree, from public roads and paths, without entering private land.

What heritage status does it have? Grade II on the National Heritage List for England, listed in 1978.

What is the Kubrick connection? The director lived here and is buried on the estate.