Cell Park

Cell Park
Hertfordshire
Cell Park
Location
Grid reference:	TL05881724
Location:	51°50’37"N, 0°27’52"W
History
	Built 1539
For:	Humphrey Bouchier
	Country house
Information

Cell Park (also known as Markyate Cell) is a country house north of Markyate in Hertfordshire: the house stands in a northerly tongue of the county with Bedfordshire closely embracing it to east and to west.

The house dates from the 16th century, has been modified at various times since then and was largely rebuilt in 1908 after a fire. It stands in 79 acres of land It is a Grade II* listed building.

The house

The hall is a rectangular brick-built structure with corner turrets, linked by an arcade to service buildings forming a quadrangle. The house was originally built around 1539 for Humphrey Bouchier on land previously belonging to the suppressed Markyate Priory. The house was subsequently extended and remodelled in the 17th century for the Ferrers and the Coppin families. It was remodelled again in 1825 to create the present layout by Robert Lugar for Daniel Goodson Adey. Sir John de Fontblaque Pennefather made further changes in the early 20th century, moving the entrance and creating a ballroom from the arcade.

The house was on sale in 2014 for £4.5 million.

The Wicked Lady

The hall is known for being the home of Lady Katherine Ferrers, reputedly the "Wicked Lady", a 17th-century highwaywoman who operated in Hertfordshire and was eventually shot. The hall had a secret staircase hidden behind the fireplace, and Lady Katherine would allegedly dress in men’s clothes and leave by way of the staircase to escape into the night.