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Woburn Abbey, Bedfordshire

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Woburn Abbey is built on the site of a twelfth century Cistercian abbey. This abbey was suppressed by Henry VIII and given to John Russell, 1st Earl of Bedford in 1547. The Russells have been there ever since. Though the original abbey was an ancient building, the house we see today is a relatively modern creation, built by eighteenth century architects who specialised in creating houses with a look of antiquity for their wealthy clients. Rebuilding started in 1744 directed by Henry Flitcroft and Henry Holland. Henry Holland in particular is famous for building historical fantasies. He was involved in the building of Cardiff Castle for the fabulously wealthy industrialist John Stuart, 1st Marquess of Bute. Bute made a fortune in the Industrial Revolution, but seemed to want to flee away from it in his homes, which he built in a religiously inspired medieval style. The 4th Duke of Bedford, however, favoured a cross between classical Greece, and the architecture of Palladio - a sixteenth century architect who based his designs on the form of Italian agricultural buildings.

 

Through the nineteenth century the Dukes of Bedford enjoyed the good life at Woburn. Anne Marie, wife of the 7th Duke is credited with inventing England's afternoon tea ritual. She needed a refined snack to get from lunch through to a lavish evening meal, and afternoon tea with thin toast and fine breads evolved to help fill the gap. But into the twentieth century the fortunes of Woburn and the Dukes of Bedford went into decline. Following World War Two disastrous dry rot meant that half the Abbey had to be demolished. Then when the 12th Duke died in 1953 death duties almost ruined the family. But the 13th Duke battled on, deciding to turn Woburn into a tourist attraction with a safari park. This venture was a success, and Woburn continues as a popular tourist attraction today. Along with the safari park and the house, there are gardens to visit, a deer park and a Go Ape high wire forest adventure.

Appropriately perhaps for a building which was built to play the role of an ancient looking building, Woburn is often used as a film location. Films made at Woburn include The Iron Maiden (1962), Henry VIII And His Six Wives (1972), and Treasure Hunt (1986).

 

Opening Times: Woburn Abbey opens daily from 30th March to 30th September, and from October 27th to November 4th. Woburn Abbey is open from 11am with last admission at 4pm.

The gardens and deer park open at 10am with last admission at 5pm, with additional opening from November to March from 10am to 4pm.

Directions: Leave M1 at junctions 12 or 13 and follow signs to Woburn Abbey. Click here for an interactive map centred on Woburn Abbey.

Address: Woburn Abbey, Woburn Park, Bedfordshire MK17 9QN

Access: Only three rooms on the ground floor of the house have level access. All other areas are reached by stairs. Contact Woburn to discuss your requirements.

Contact:

telephone: 01525 290333

web site: http://www.woburn.co.uk/abbey/

e-mail: admissions@woburnabbey.co.uk

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