Woburn Abbey welcomes visitors and immerses them in its rich and varied history.
A house has stood on this site since 1145, when a religious centre for Cistercian monks was built. In 1547, the King, Edward VI, gifted the Abbey to Sir John Russell - and it first became the Russells' home in 1619, which it has remained to this day.
Since 1619, successive Dukes and Earls of Bedford have dedicated their lives and talents to preserving and developing the House, the Gardens and the Estate. A particular love of art has been a common passion through the centuries and the Abbey now has of the finest private collections in England, featuring masterworks by Van Dyck, Gainsborough, Reynolds and Velasquez.
All the information you need to ensure a perfect visit to the Abbey and the Estate can be found in these pages. Enjoy!