Woburn Abbey

Classification Historic Building, Zoo

DescriptionWoburn Abbey, near Woburn in Bedfordshire, is the seat of the Duke of Bedford, head of the Russell Family. The Abbey was a sad half-demolished, half-derelict house in 1953 when the 12th Duke died, exposing the family estates to heavy death duties for the second time in thirteen years. The Abbey, originally given to the family by Henry VIII, had been largely rebuilt by the 4th Duke in the 18th century. The architects Henry Flitcroft and Henry Holland had been employed on the project. Following World War II, dry rot had been discovered and half the Abbey was subsequently demolished.Following his father's death, John, 13th Duke of Bedford opened it to the public for the first time in 1955. It soon gained in popularity as other amusements were added, including the safari park. The 13th Duke died in November 2002 in Santa Fe, New Mexico, U.S.A.. Asked about the unfavourable comments by other aristocrats when he turned the family home into a theme park he once said, "I do not relish the scorn of the peerage, but it is better to be looked down on than overlooked."The park does however contain the Woburn Safari Park.

Position

Photographs

The AddressWoburn, , Milton Keynes, MK17 9WA

Phone01525 290333

DateJul 25, 2006

Contact NameWoburn Abbey

CategoryEngland > Bedfordshire
England > Buckinghamshire > Attractions in Milton Keynes

Email send email to Woburn Abbey

Local Information

Other Nearby Attractions

Eversholt Swimming Pool is 1.21 Miles away
Eversholt is very well placed to take advantage of some of the best leisure facilities in the area. The new...
Leighton Buzzard Railway Ltd is 5.76 Miles away
The Leighton Buzzard Light Railway (LBLR) is a narrow-gauge light railway in the town of Leighton Buzzard...
Marston Vale Community Forest is 6.23 Miles away
The Forest of Marston Vale is an evolving community forest in Marston Vale, which runs south west from the...
Lewsey Park Pool is 7.47 Miles away
Lewsey Park Pool is a 25 metre pool that provides a comprehensive programme of water based activities for...
Ascott Estate is 7.56 Miles away
Ascott House, sometimes referred to as simply Ascott, is situated in the hamlet of Ascott near Wing in...

Campsites located nearby this attraction
Warning: mysql_connect() [function.mysql-connect]: Unknown MySQL server host 'thedatabaseserver.co.uk' (2) in /home/leisure/public_html/lib/db.class.php on line 20

Warning: mysql_select_db(): supplied argument is not a valid MySQL-Link resource in /home/leisure/public_html/lib/db.class.php on line 22

Golf Courses nearby this attraction

Aspley Guise & Woburn Sands Golf Club is 2.63 Miles away
Established in 1914 and based upon designs by Sandy Herd, the course is a fine undulating challenge that...
Woburn Golf Club is 2.97 Miles away
Woburn Golf Club is unique in being able to offer its members and guests a choice of three championship...
Wavendon Golf Centre is 4.11 Miles away
Wavendon Golf Centre comprises an 18 Hole Parkland Course, a Par 3, 9 Hole Course, a 9 Hole Pitch and Putt...
Chalgrave Manor Golf Club is 4.24 Miles away
Chalgrave Manor Golf Club is set in 150 acres of rolling Bedfordshire countryside. At 6,398 yards from the...
Leighton Buzzard Golf Club is 4.28 Miles away
NESTLING in the folds of the Bedfordshire-Buckinghamshire border, Leighton Buzzard Golf Club has a history...