 Trained as a screenwriter, Lytton-Cobbold was an assistant to the filming of "The Shooting Party", part of which was filmed at Knebworth House, and subsequently worked on "Water".From 1987 until 1993, he lived in Los Angeles, and scripted several TV shows, including "Lake Consequence".He returned to England and lived in Knebworth village until 2000, when he took over the daily running of Knebworth House from his father.