Sopwell House

The facilities include a conference & banqueting centre, 2 restaurants, 2 bars, gym, dance studio, and spa .

Though mention of buildings on the site goes back to 1604, it was not developed as a country house until the master mason Edward Strong built his home here in the 18th century.

Strong's career included work on St Paul's Cathedral and Blenheim Palace.

The house was extended in Victorian times and in 1900 was leased to Prince Louis of Battenberg, an Admiral of the Royal Navy who made it his family home.

It should not be confused with an earlier 16th century Sopwell House, the ruins of which remain today along Cottonmill Lane near the centre of St Albans.