The Woburn Estate

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The Bedford Estates, LondonThe Bedford Estates, London

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Home of the 15th Duke and Duchess of Bedford, Woburn Abbey and Gardens are currently closed to facilitate a major refurbishment programme.  We look forward to welcoming you back to enjoy the Abbey and its surroundings in spring 2026 when this is completed.

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Changing seasons in Woburn
See here the ongoing transformation of our new entrance to Woburn Abbey and Gardens. As you can see from these comparison photographs, the area is almost unrecognisable from when the old Kiosks were demolished in 2021. The previous structures had reached the end of their serviceable life as they were of a flimsy aluminium construction. Now, we have repurposed historic structures, previously screened behind a fence, and reconstructed and reimagined an old Stable to provide a fit-for-purpose welcoming space. We have taken the opportunity to re-imagine the surrounding landscape where a new pathway provides views of the Abbey and Chinese Dairy, with trees and new planting enhancing the enchanting arrival. Whilst we have made great progress, there is still lots to do, including developing high-quality facilities for our future visitors. 1 – The newly planted areas for the entrance 2 – The new visitor’s arrival building, known as “Stranger’s Stables” 3 – The development of the new pathway 4 – Demolition of the Old Kiosks #WoburnAbbey #restoration #landscape #countryhouse #conservation
An autumnal view of the deer park here at Woburn Abbey #autumn #nature #naturephotography #deer #Woburn #WoburnAbbey
Lest we forget. Today on Remembrance Sunday we remember all those who served in the Great War, WWII and wars since.
Remember remember the 5th of November… On Guy Fawkes Night we want to spotlight an overlooked figure of the events that took place on the 5th November 1605, Princess Elizabeth Stuart. The failed conspiracy to assassinate the Protestant King James VI & I and his heir Henry Frederick, aimed to replace him with the Princess, Elizabeth, who would act as a Catholic head of state. Elizabeth was only 9 years old at the time, and was raised in a Catholic household until the age of 7. The conspirators’ intention was to kidnap her from Coombe Abbey, and forcibly place her on the throne of England to act as a Catholic monarch. Her infant brother, later Charles I, too feeble to be placed on the throne. Elizabeth, on the other hand, had a reputation as a distinguished young woman who had been carrying out royal duties from a very young age. She was popular amongst Catholics and Protestants alike, and the conspirators believed that she could have neutralised domestic conflicts. After the failed plot, Elizabeth was taken to Coventry for her safekeeping. Her father worked to sow the seeds of peace between Catholic and Protestant factions across Europe, and secured a strong marriage for the Princess. On Valentine’s Day in 1613, she married Frederick V, Elector Palatine of the Rhine in the Holy Roman Empire. They were both 16 years old, and were set to be a power couple of Europe. In November 1619, they were crowned as King and Queen of Bohemia, but this was short-lived. The family fled to exile in November 1620 following the Battle of White Mountain that lit the fuse of the Thirty Years’ War. Elizabeth remained in exile following her husband’s death, and relied on her charm and spirit to sustain her lifestyle. This portrait by the circle of Gerard van Honthorst from the Woburn Abbey collection highlights her strength of character and an influential woman in the 17th century. She finally returned to England following the Restoration of the British monarchy, before passing away of pneumonia on 13 February 1662, aged 65 years. #WoburnAbbey #portrait #queenofbohemia #arthistory #guyfawkesnight #WoburnTreasures
Today marks the birthday of the 2nd Duke of Bedford, Wriothesley Russell, who was born #onthisday in 1680. Wriothesley can be seen here in this portrait depicted as a young child, dressed in Roman costume. In his lifetime, he enjoyed acquiring a knowledge of Italian culture, and had a liberating sojourn to Rome as a young man of 18 years on the precipice of the Dukedom. Travelling with a tutor, Wriothesley found immense joy for the people and climate in Rome. He developed an early taste for collecting books and musical scores, and soon filled the shelves of Woburn Abbey with illustrated books on architecture and the history of art. Following an uncertain period after the execution of his father, William, Lord Russell, the family’s fortunes transformed with the reign of King William III and Queen Anne. The 5th Earl of Bedford (William’s father) was elevated in the peerage to Duke, and Wriothesley stood next in line after his grandfather. Even though Wriothesley passed away at the young age of 30 years from smallpox, he achieved many titles and honours during his short tenure as the Duke of Bedford and brought stability and prosperity to the family. He had gained the reputation as the richest peer in England, and he held the offices of Lord Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, and Middlesex, and he was a Gentleman to the Bedchamber to William III from 1701-1702. After William III’s death, he was invested as a Knight of the Garter in 1702 and served as Lord High Constable of England for the coronation of Queen Anne. #WoburnAbbey #historichouse #arthistory #portrait #woburntreasures
Memento mori… This Halloween, we are taking a closer look at one peculiar object from the Woburn Abbey Collection. This is a lock of hair contained in a small locket which bears a skull and crossbones. The hair belongs to William, Lord Russell, son of the 5th Earl (later 1st Duke) of Bedford, who was found guilty of high treason for his involvement in the Rye House Plot, a plan to assassinate King Charles II of England and his brother (heir to the throne) James, the Duke of York in 1683. Years prior, in 1678, he moved an address to the King to exclude the Duke of York from the line of succession, and two years later he tendered his resignation after this was unsuccessful. In 1682, he attended a meeting at which treasonous discussions supposedly took place, and one year later the Rye House Plot was foiled and discovered. For his alleged involvement in the Rye House Plot, Lord Russell was found guilty by jury, and was beheaded at Lincoln’s Inn Fields on 21 July 1683 where a plaque in his memory was later installed. This lock of hair would have been taken from his head after the beheading took place, and was handed over to the Russell family. In this context, the skull and crossbones you can see on the front of the locket was a symbol of death and was frequently used as a memento mori on tombstones. The engraving on the back reads the date of his execution: “LD W R July … 21, 1683”. He was lauded as a martyr by the Whigs who claimed that he was put to death in retaliation for his efforts to exclude James from the line of succession. He received a posthumous pardon from King William III and Queen Mary 1689, who had by that time taken over the throne. #WoburnAbbey #historyfacts #halloween #WoburnTreasures
In the late 18th-century, a gallery of portraits of artists was arranged above the bookcases in the Library at Woburn Abbey, believed at the time to represent artists including Rembrandt, Titian, Kneller and Murillo amongst others. As well as acquiring these esteemed ‘Old Masters’ generations of the Russell family have been proud patrons of the arts, supporting living artists, and we are highlighting their impact on #InternationalArtistDay. A patron can be somebody or an organisation who financially supports artists by purchasing their works, requesting commissions, or supporting them in any way they might need in order to succeed. Perhaps most notably, the 4th Duke was a patron to Thomas Gainsborough and Canaletto, purchasing early works and requesting large commissions. Furthermore, his grandson and namesake, the 6th Duke of Bedford, would continue in these footsteps. He had a close rapport with Edwin Landseer, and the Russells took the artist on his first of many trips to the Highlands where he found great inspiration. It is important to note that the Russell family’s patronage extended beyond painters. During a visit to Rome, the 6th Duke was greatly impressed by sculptor Antonio Canova. A portrait of Canova was later contributed to the Library’s Gallery. The Russell family’s patronage of artists continues to this day, and is a proud, longstanding commitment which has spanned many generations. #WoburnAbbey #artist #historichouse #arthistory
Autumn has arrived. Enjoy this atmospheric image from a tranquil morning stroll through the Deer Park here at Woburn Abbey, where the leaves are starting to turn in the autumnal weather. #WoburnAbbey #deerpark #autumn #repton #landscape
Today marks the birthday of Francis Russell, known as Hastings, 9th Duke of Bedford (1819-1891). In 1844, Hastings married Elizabeth Sackville-West, who was a bridesmaid at the wedding of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert four years previously. Hastings was MP for Bedfordshire from 1847 until 1872 when he succeeded to the Dukedom following the death of his cousin, William Russell, 8th Duke of Bedford. His cousin was a reserved character, and Hastings had already taken on a large amount of responsibility for managing the estates before officially inheriting the title. He was President of the Royal Agricultural Society in 1880 and continued the family’s tradition of botanical and agricultural experimentation and study. In 1884 the 9th Duke was appointed as Lord Lieutenant of Huntingdonshire and retained that title until his passing. To commemorate his birthday, we’re sharing a photograph from the family album, taken at @hotelendsleigh, then part of the Bedford Estates. It shows the 9th Duke with his wife and two of their four children; Lady Ela (seated on the left), and Lady Ermyntrude. #WoburnAbbey #onthisday
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