URPoint Details
Full disabled access; gift shop; restaurant; pottery & antiques centre.
The Abbey, an imposing freestone building set in formal gardens is now the seat of the Dukes of Bedford. Henry VIII gave the estate to the Russell family after the dissolution of the monasteries.
Cistercian monks from Fountain Abbey founded the Abbey in 1145. Their order forbade the eating of quadrupeds and it is believed that the stream, from which Woburn gets its name, provided a useful supply of fish and fowl.
There is a fine collection of French and English period furniture, silver, porcelain and paintings by Gainsborough, Rembrandt and Reynolds and Antonio Canale.
The 3000 acres surrounding the house contains the safari park, antiques centre and a pottery exhibition.
- Type:
- Landmark