Sandridgebury: Entrance gates in 2005In 1951 Earl Spencer of Althorp offered the estate for sale by auction which included the house, Bury Farm and five enclosures of arable land. It then became Aylesford House School which had moved from London Road in St Albans. Later Aylesford House was absorbed by Hardenwick School.

Sandridgebury: 1950In 1978 Richard William Thrale, co-author of Historic Sandridge, bought the whole of the very dilapidated main building at Sandridgebury and saved it from demolition.

A considerable amount of remedial works was done to convert the mansion into three superb establishments. A complete re-roofing were commenced even before completion of the purchase. A dividing wall was built from the cellars to the crutch of the roof, and one unit was sold in November 1979.

Hardenwick school: Calendar 1962Sandridgebury: 1905.Richard Thrale continued to refurbished the shell into a beautiful home that became known as Sandridgebury House and took up residence in March 1981. The Old School House and coach-house were separately divided off, occupied and refurbished. Sandridgebury is now home to four families and the Thrale family are resident is Sandridge once again.

For more information on Sandridgebury and its history - see Janet Rose's book.