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Bedfordshire - Castles, Cathedrals,
Monuments,
Stately Homes & Palaces
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Since the stone age, man has been
creating majestic structures that we still marvel at
today.
Whether you are interested in ancient monuments,
battlefield sites,
re-enactments,
Roman and Norman forts and castles, Stately Homes, Country Houses, Historic
Cathedrals, Ruined Abbeys etc, this is the page that
should give you the information you need.
Here we try to list properties in
private ownership but open to the public (even if only
occasionally) as well as those in the care of the
National Trust or English/Scottish Heritage.
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We know that not all the
properties in Bedfordshire are listed.
Please help us
make this guide comprehensive by giving details of
missing attractions
here.
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Bromham Mill & Gallery
Bridge End, Bromham, Bedford, MK43 8LP
Tel: 01234 824330
E-mail:
sally.wileman@bedscc.gov.uk
Web:
www.bedford.gov.uk
Restored and working 17th century watermill. The
mill grinds corn by waterpower and sells flour.
Exhibitions and activities for children and
adults change regularly. Picnic area,
refreshments available.
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Stevington Windmill
Mill Farm, Park Road, Stevington, Bedford, MK43
7QG
Tel: 01234 824330
E-mail:
sally.wileman@bedscc.gov.uk
Web:
www.bedford.gov.uk
A building on two levels. Upper wooden body that
holds the machinery around a central post,
balanced on a cross frame. Below the cross frame
is a small stone roundhouse used for storage.
All parts of the building are accessible to the
sure-footed visitor.
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JOHN BUNYAN MUSEUM
Mill Street, Bedford, MK40 3EU
Tel: 01234 213722
Web:
www.bedfordmuseum.org/johnbunyanmuseum
Museum Open: Tuesday to Saturday
11:00am - 4:00pm from March to October (Closed
Good Friday). Admission free. Groups/School
parties welcome by prior arrangement.
Church Open: Tuesdays – Saturdays’
10:00am – 4:00pm. Sunday Services: 11:00am &
6:30pm
The new John Bunyan
Museum opened in 1998. The church with its
magnificent bronze entrance doors, and 20th and
21st century stained glass depicting scenes from
The Pilgrim's Progress, should be included in
your visit. Visitors will recognise the window
made famous by the postcard sent to Terry Waite
during the time he was held hostage in Beirut.
The church where John
Bunyan was once the minister is now known as the
Bunyan Meeting Free Church. It occupies the site
of the barn which the congregation purchased in
1672 and used as a place of worship. The present
church is the second purpose-built church on the
site and was built in 1849. The Bunyan Meeting
today is a thriving, growing fellowship. The
congregation is drawn from many denominational
backgrounds and is thoroughly ecumenical in
outlook.
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Priory Church of St. Peter
Church Street, Dunstable, LU5 4NA
Tel: 01582 477422
E-mail:
prioryoffice@chewshouse.freeserve.co.uk
Web:
www.dunstableparish.webspace.surefish.co.uk
Formerly the Norman west wing of an Augustinian
Priory, the current Priory Church of St Peter is
recognised as a grade I star listed building,
considered especially important for its
architectural style. The monastery was actually
requested by Henry I and through the centuries
has witnessed many fascinating events. Guided
tours for groups and schools (by prior
arrangement) bring the history to life.
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ASCOTT HOUSE
Wing, nr
Leighton
Buzzard, LU7 0PS
Tel: 01296 688242 Fax:
01296 681904
E-mail:
info@ascottestate.co.uk
Web:
www.ascottestate.co.uk
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Jacobean house
remodelled in the 19th century, with superb
collections and gardens.
Originally a
half-timbered farmhouse, Ascott was bought in
1876 by the de Rothschild family and
considerably transformed and enlarged.
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It now houses a quite exceptional collection of
fine paintings, Oriental porcelain and English
and French furniture. The extensive gardens are
a mixture of the formal and natural, containing
specimen trees and shrubs, as well as a
herbaceous walk, lily pond, Dutch garden and
remarkable topiary sundial.
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Bushmead Priory
Colmworth, Bedford, MK44 2LD
Tel: 01234 376614
English Heritage: 01223 582700
E-mail:
customers@english-heritage.org.uk
Web:
www.english-heritage.org.uk
Rare survival of the medieval refectory of an
Augustinian priory whose timber-framed roof is
almost intact. Interesting wall paintings &
stained glass.
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SWISS GARDEN
Old Warden Park, Old Warden, Biggleswade, SG18
9EA
Tel: 01767 627666
E-mail:
collection@shuttleworth.org
Web:
www.shuttleworth.org
Laid out in the 1820s
and steeped in the indulgent romanticism of the
time, Swiss Garden combines all the elements of
high fashion - formal walks and vistas,
classical proportions, a fairytale grotto and
tiny thatched buildings.
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Embankment Gardens
Bedford, MK40 3PD
Tel: 01234 267422
Web:
www.bedford.gov.uk
The traditional formal Victorian gardens provide
a colourful array of flowers and foliage along
one of England's finest river settings. Open all
the time.
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ELSTOW MOOT HALL
Church End, Elstow, Bedford, MK42 9XT
Tel: 01234 266889
E-mail:
moot.hall@bedscc.gov.uk
Web:
www.bedscc.gov.uk
Moot hall museum and
village green offer a unique chance to discover
the world of John Bunyan and get a taste of
seventeenth century life. The furniture, wood
carvings and paintings all tell their own story
and there are also regular displays about local
history.
Just next door is Elstow
Abbey for which Moot Hall was originally built
in the 15th century. Moot hall is the medieval
term for 'meeting place' and the hall originally
housed four shops for the abbey markets. The
building itself is worth the visit, ancient oak
timber frame filled with local brick and an
unforgettable upstairs gallery. A stairlift has
recently been installed to help the less mobile
negotiate the stairs. The green is a beautiful
place for a picnic or you could visit the Red
Lion pub nearby in the village of Elstow. Moot
Hall is open from 1.00pm. until 4.00pm April -
September, every Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday and
Thursday. Also, on Good Friday & Bank Holiday
Mondays. Appointments may be made for group
visits outside of normal opening times. Discount
rates are available for groups.
Admission: £1.00,
Concessions 50p
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Houghton House
Ampthill, Bedford
Tel: 01234 228337
E-mail:
customers@english-heritage.org.uk
Web:
www.english-heritage.org.uk
English Heritage. The remains of this 17th
century mansion still contain elements that
justify the description 'House Beautiful',
including work attributed to Indigo Jones.
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Manor Gardens
The Manor House, Church Road, Stevington,
Bedford, MK43 7QB
Tel: 01234 822064
E-mail:
kathy_brown@tinyworld.co.uk
Web:
www.kathybrownsgarden.homestead.com
A private garden designed & maintained by the
owner who is a gardening author & lecturer. Many
features including Formal French & cottage
garden. Gardening styles include: French and
cottage garden with ornamental grasses, herbs,
edible flowers, trees and roses. Group tours a
speciality.
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Moggerhanger Park
Park Road, Moggerhanger, Bedford, MK44 3RW
Tel: 01767 641007
E-mail:
wendy@moggerhangerpark.com
Web:
www.the-park.net
A Georgian Grade I listed building designed by
Sir John Soane, with grounds landscaped by
Humphrey Repton. Moggerhanger Park is undergoing
restoration and is due to open in June 2004. The
Historic rooms will be open for viewing
throughout the summer months. Guided tours and
group rates available.
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Wrest Park Gardens
Silsoe, Bedfordshire, MK45 4HS
Tel: 01525 860152
E-mail:
customers@english-heritage.org.uk
Web:
www.english-heritage.org.uk
Within the 90 acres of wonderful gardens are the
Great Garden, the exquisite & intricate French
Garden, with statues and fountains. Wandering
through woods and along canals, you come upon
charming garden buildings & follies, the
Mithraic Altar, the Chinese Temple and bridge &
the Archer Pavilion, with delightful chambers
and wall paintings.
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New Members required for this section!
To join or recommend an establishment to
us, please
contact Tourist Net UK
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