Woburn Abbey

Woburn Abbey is a Grade I listed historic house in Bedfordshire, and a member of Historic Houses. Read about its history, architecture and gardens, plus how to visit and what's nearby.

About Woburn Abbey

Woburn Abbey in Bedfordshire has been the seat of the Dukes of Bedford for several centuries, built on the site of a Cistercian monastery dissolved under Henry VIII.

The Russell family have held the estate since the sixteenth century, and the current house was developed substantially during the eighteenth century.

It holds one of the more significant private art collections in England and sits within an extensive deer park.

The estate is also home to a safari park, which operates as a separate visitor attraction alongside the house.

History of Woburn Abbey

The site was originally a Cistercian monastery, dissolved under Henry VIII in the sixteenth century. The estate subsequently passed to the Russell family, who became Dukes of Bedford and have held it ever since. The current house replaced earlier structures on the site and was developed significantly during the eighteenth century.

Architecture of Woburn Abbey

The house is a substantial Palladian structure, though the precise architect and dates of the main building phases are not confirmed by the sources available for this entry.

Worth knowing

The thirteenth Duke of Bedford opened Woburn to the public in 1955, an early and influential example of a British aristocratic family commercialising a historic estate to meet rising maintenance costs.

Gardens & grounds at Woburn Abbey

The grounds include a deer park and extensive parkland, which form a significant part of the visitor experience.

Facilities

Parking Café Toilets

Plan your visit to Woburn Abbey

Official site Google Maps Waze

Nearest station: Ridgmont Rail Station (3 miles)

Open on specified days to visitors; check the official website for current opening dates as the Abbey has been undergoing a major refurbishment programme.

Places to visit near Woburn Abbey

St Mary's Church, Potsgrove

church 1.9 miles

View St Mary's Church, Potsgrove on heritage map

De Grey Mausoleum

historic building 6.2 miles

View De Grey Mausoleum on heritage map

Houghton House

historic building 6.3 miles

View Houghton House on heritage map

St Lawrence's Church, Broughton

church 6.4 miles

View St Lawrence's Church, Broughton on heritage map

Ascott House

historic building 7.6 miles

View Ascott House on heritage map

Historic places nearby

Within 5 miles of Woburn Abbey there are 1 historic properties, including 1 church.

1 Churches Conservation Trust

1 Church

See these 1 sites on the heritage map

Within 10 miles of Woburn Abbey there are 8 historic properties, including 4 historic buildings and 3 churchs, across Churches Conservation Trust, English Heritage and National Trust sites.

3 Churches Conservation Trust

3 English Heritage

2 National Trust

4 Historic building

3 Church

1 Garden

See these 8 sites on the heritage map

Within 20 miles of Woburn Abbey there are 36 historic properties, including 12 historic buildings, 10 churchs and 8 historic houses, across Churches Conservation Trust, Historic Houses and National Trust sites.

10 Churches Conservation Trust

9 Historic Houses

9 National Trust

8 English Heritage

12 Historic building

10 Church

8 Historic house

3 Garden

1 Archaeological site

1 House

1 Stately home

See these 36 sites on the heritage map