Restoration Nears Completion
A new chapter is about to begin. After seven years of meticulous restoration, Woburn Abbey is preparing to welcome guests back with renewed splendour.
Welcome to Woburn Abbey
Woburn Abbey has been in the Russell family since 1547 and for more than four centuries it has been lived in and cared for by successive generations.
Since 2019, the Abbey has been undergoing major restoration, beginning with rebuilding the Screen Walls, improving the visitor journey and upgrading the plumbing and wiring. However, we discovered deeper structural issues, particularly with the roof and exterior stonework. Faced with this, we decided to undertake the work required to protect the Abbey for years to come.
The Screen Walls are now complete and the rooms have been restored using traditional skills. New silks have been woven for the State Rooms. Seven years have been spent renovating the walls, flooring and stonework. Many of the important artworks have been conserved, including the repaired Mortlake Tapestries that will be hung in the Grotto Chamber, for which they were purchased in 1664. Beyond the Abbey, work continues in our Gardens, as we implement our fifth five-year-plan. This includes the reinterpretation of Humphry Repton’s grounds and our new arrival entrance.
We look forward to reopening Woburn Abbey and welcoming you back in due course to enjoy the house, its collections and the Gardens.
Shaped by Generations
Woburn Abbey has been shaped over generations by the Russell family’s deep‑rooted care for something truly special. It is the product of a rich tapestry of influences. Beginning with the 4th Earl's Grotto Apartment of the 1620s, to Henry Flitcroft's Palladian State Rooms, and Henry Holland’s celebrated Canaletto Room and suite of Regency libraries. The legacy extends far beyond the Abbey to the Gardens, with Humphry Repton designs and the world-renowned Deer Park beyond, home to nine species of deer. These elements weave together to create Woburn's unique character.
Restoration Project
The restoration of Woburn Abbey is guided by exceptional attention to detail and the highest standards of heritage craftsmanship. Using traditional materials and time‑honoured skills, expert conservators and craftspeople have carefully repaired the historic building, preserving its authenticity and architectural integrity. Alongside this, the renewal of the historic gardens restores their designed beauty and setting, ensuring Abbey and landscape continue to be experienced as a living, connected heritage for generations to come.