The Abbey Gardens
The 6th Duke was interested in gardening. One of the first commissions he gave when he inherited Woburn was to ask Humphry Repton to produce designs for improving the Pleasure Ground and the park. When the 6th Duke inherited Woburn he commissioned Humphry Repton (1752 - 1818), the famous landscape gardener, to produce designs for improving the gardens and park.
Today the tranquil Abbey Gardens are open for everyone to enjoy the brilliance of Repton. Make your way through approximately 30 acres of serene formal and natural garden environments: from manicured lawns and colourful flower beds to peaceful woodland glades and ponds teeming with life.
Discover the bog garden, a recent addition with it carnivorous plants, the romance of the Doric Temple which was carefully restored last year and watch the recreation work in progress on the rockery and grotto.
Follow the Garden Trail Information Boards to find out more about what you can see in the gardens today and the redevelopment projects over the past five years to recreate and replant Repton's original features and themed garden areas.
The gardens are a work in progress and we hope that you will come back again and watch us grow.
Free Children's Activities
There are free quiz booklets for all children so they can have fun looking for answers and discovering lots of fun facts. Also during school holidays, take part in free activities in the Gardens, including treasure hunts, seed planting and storytelling. Visit the What's On pages for full event details.
Celebrating 200 years of Garden Perfection
2010 is the 200th anniversary of the completion of Humphry Repton's plans at Woburn Abbey and a season of special events will commemorate this occasion.
Highlights include:
- Opening 6 acres of private gardens, new interactive Repton Exhibition from 15th May
- Woburn Through The Ages historical re-enactment weekend on 12th and 13th June
- Woburn Abbey Garden Show on 17th and 18th July and Gardening masterclass workshops.
Visit the What's On pages for full event details.
Podcasts
Enjoy your visit even more by downloading the audio tour narrated by Gardens Manager Martin Towsey, with an introduction by the Duchess of Bedford, that follows the Garden Trail in the Abbey Gardens.
Regular updates are also available from the Abbey Gardens Department on the latest developments and seasonal sights.
Group Visits
For groups of 6 or more people please see our Group Tickets information to find out more about guided tours of the Abbey Gardens.
Latest Podcast
Abbey Maps
History
Set in a beautiful 3,000 acre deer park, with 10 species of deer roaming free, Woburn Abbey has been the home of the Dukes of Bedford for nearly 400 years.
Tickets, Prices & Opening
There are a variety of different tickets available for various areas of the Abbey, all at excellent value for money.
Hire a Venue
If you're planning an occasion, there's nowhere quite like the Sculpture Gallery at Woburn Abbey.