Museums, archives and heritage in Bedfordshire

Bedfordshire

Bedfordshire, or Beds, a midland county of England, bounded by the counties of Northampton, Cambridge, Herts, and Bucks. Greatest length, N. and S., 30 miles; greatest breadth, E. and W., 20 miles; area, 29,983 acres; population 149,473. The surface is mostly flat, varied in the S. by a spur of the Chiltern Hills, and in the NW. by a range of chalk hills. The chief river is the Great Ouse, with its affluent the Ivel. The country along the banks of the Ouse and other streams is highly verdant and luxuriant. The greater part of the surface is under tillage; indeed, agriculture, it is said, is further advanced here than in any other English county. On the heavy soils the principal crops are wheat and beans. The sandy and chalky soils of the middle districts are well adapted for horticultural husbandry, and vegetables are extensively grown for the markets of London, Cambridge, &c. There is excellent grazing ground in the SE., this co. being noted for its breeds of sheep and cattle. The principal manufactures are agricultural implements and straw-plait for hats. Bedfordshire contains 9 hundreds, 134 parishes and 2 parts, the parliamentary and municipal borough of Bedford (1 member), and the municipal boroughs of Dunstable and Luton. It is almost entirely in the diocese of Ely.

– John Bartholomew, Gazetteer of the British Isles (1887)

 

Ascott – National Trust

Ascott, Wing

Leighton Buzzard LU7 0PR

01296 688242

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ascott

Jacobean House remodelled in the 19th century with superb collections and gardens. Originally a half-timbered farmhouse, Ascott was bought in 1876 by the de Rothschild family and considerably transformed and enlarged by them.

Bedford Physical Education Archive

University of Bedfordshire

Bedford MK41 9EA

goo.gl/ZOrORL

The Bedford Physical Education Archive is home to the archive of the former Bedford College of Physical Training founded in 1903 (later the Bedford College of Physical Education and now the University of Bedfordshire). It provides a unique insight into the early development of women’s physical education, charting the importance of Bedford locally, nationally and internationally in shaping physical education.

Bedfordshire & Luton Archives & Record Service

Beds & Luton Archives & Records Service, Riverside Building, Borough Hall, Cauldwell Street

Bedford MK42 9AP

01234 228833

goo.gl/mrJl2b

We are the County Record Office for Bedfordshire, based in Riverside Building, Borough Hall, Bedford, where visitors are welcome to come in and use the archives for research.

Bedfordshire Family History Society

PO Box 214

Bedford MK42 9RX

www.bfhs.org.uk

The society was formed in 1977 to encourage the study of Family History, Genealogy and Heraldry, primarily within the County of Bedfordshire.

Bromham Mill & Gallery

Bridge End

Bromham MK43 8LP

01234 824330

goo.gl/o7oe6w

The present mill is an 18th or early 19th century rebuilding in brick, timber and stone on the site of earlier mills. It had two waterwheels, one wooden and undershot driving three pairs of stones, and the other iron and breastshot driving two.

Higgins Bedford, The

Castle Lane

Bedford MK40 3XD

01234 718618

www.thehigginsbedford.org.uk

The Higgins Bedford reopened in June 2013 following a major redevelopment. The Higgins showcases wonderful and varied collections including the Cecil Higgins Collection of fine and decorative arts, with its world-class watercolour and print collections and unique groups of work by the designers William Burges and Edward Bawden.

John Bunyan Museum & Library

Bunyan Meeting, Mill Street

Bedford MK40 3EU

01234 270303

www.bunyanmeeting.co.uk/museum

The John Bunyan Museum tells the story of John Bunyan (1628 -1688), the renowned author, pastor and preacher. Visitors to the museum are able to take a walk through Bunyan’s life and times.

Leighton Buzzard Railway

Page’s Park Station, Billington Road

Leighton Buzzard LU7 4TN

01525 373888

www.buzzrail.co.uk

The Leighton Buzzard Railway is one of the few surviving narrow-gauge light railways in England. It was built in 1919, using materials and equipment that were surplus from the War Department Light Railways that had supplied the battlefields in World War 1. Originally built to serve the local sand quarrying industry, the railway has carried a passenger service, mostly hauled by historic steam engines, since 1968.

Luton Culture

Wardown Park Museum, Old Bedford Road

Luton LU2 7HA

01582 546719

www.lutonculture.com

Luton Culture is an independent charity which looks after cultural provision in Luton, managing 12 venues and providing cultural services across Luton and surrounding area. We were set up in March 2008 and we employ nearly 300 people working across 12 sites.

Military Intelligence Museum, The

Defence Intelligence and Security Centre, Chicksands

Nr Shefford SG17 5PR

01462 752 340

www.militaryintelligencemuseum.org/about-us

The Military Intelligence Museum displays key elements of the history of British Military Intelligence from the Boer War forwards. The central Collection in the museum is the Intelligence Corps Collection, which includes artefacts and special exhibits about the history and activities of the Corps as well as two specific displays: one recording the Honours and Awards received by members of the Corps and the other ‘In the Name of the Rose,’ a memorial to Corps members who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in the service of their Sovereign and their country.

Moot Hall

Elstow Green, Church End

Elstow MK42 9XT

01234 266 889

goo.gl/9IClYG

Moot Hall is a medieval market house, originally built for the nuns of Elstow Abbey on the village green. Restored in 1950 by Bedfordshire County Council, Moot Hall is now a small, but beautiful museum.

Museum of the Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire Regiment Association

Wardown Park

Luton LU2 7HA

01582 546723

goo.gl/rHcRks

The Collection is on two sites, and family history and other researchers are recommended to contact Nigel Lutt first at Nigel.Lutt2@virginmedia.com or if urgent on mobile 0750 4015313 for advice. The response will be prompt (within one to three days) with the exception of holidays, which will not be notified in advance, and which will result in a delay of a week or two at most.

Panacea Museum, The

9 Newnham Road

Bedford MK40 3NX

01234 353178

www.panaceatrust.org

The Panacea Museum tells the story of the Panacea Society, a remarkable religious community that existed in Bedford for almost a century. In the main museum building you can discover how the society was formed, what they believed and how they lived. You can also find out about Joanna Southcott and her sealed box of prophecies and why the Panacea Society campaigned tirelessly for the box to be opened.

Priory House Heritage Centre

33 High Street South

Dunstable LU6 3RZ

01582 891420

www.dunstable.gov.uk

Located within a 13th century building, Priory House Heritage Centre boasts a range of things to see and do. Take in a snapshot of a historical era, enjoy a delicious snack, lunch or afternoon tea in the award winning tea rooms.

Shuttleworth Collection, The

Old Warden Park

Biggleswade SG18 9EP

01767 627927

www.shuttleworth.org

The Shuttleworth Collection – A Celebration of Flight was founded in 1928 by Richard Ormonde Shuttleworth. It is in a quiet countryside setting, actually on an old fashioned all grass aerodrome with eight hangars.

Stockwood Discovery Centre

London Road

Luton LU1 4LX

01582 548600

www.stockwooddiscoverycentre.com

Stockwood Park Museum has been transformed into Stockwood Discovery Centre, a visitor and discovery centre with brand new facilities such as a cafe shop, extensive gardens, a children’s outdoor discovery play area, changing exhibitions, and corporate venue hire. The new centre has an environmental theme running through it and host the current collections: the Mossman carriages, the biggest museum collection of this kind on display in the UK and fascinating displays about the history of the area including the former Stockwood House.

Stotfold Watermill

Mill Lane

Stotfold SG5 4NU

01462 734541

www.stotfoldmill.com

Stotfold Watermill, in its idyllic setting on the River Ivel, is unique. Having burnt down in 1992 it is now a Grade II listed watermill that has been completely rebuilt with three fully accessible floors to view.

Wardown Park Museum

Old Bedford Road

Luton LU2 7HA

01582 546722

www.wardownparkmuseum.com

The museum is situated in a beautiful landscaped park and contributes to its charm by telling the story of Luton and its people such as the hat production and car industry, through displays,objects and old photographs. Home of the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire regiment museum and the many changing exhibitions.There is free parking at the museum and good disabled access including a lift to the first floor.

Woburn Abbey & Gardens

Woburn Park

Woburn MK17 9WA

01525 290666

www.woburnabbey.co.uk

Woburn Abbey first opened to the public in 1955 and has welcomed visitors from all over the globe. There are 22 rooms that you can experience, which house one of the most significant private art collections in the world. The many individual rooms of Woburn Abbey, house 18th century French and English furniture, magnificent silver and gold collections, a marvellous range of porcelain and many items treasured by generations of the Russell family. Over 28 acres of gardens, inspired by the designs of landscape gardener, Humphry Repton and developed by our dedicated gardens team.

Wrest Park – English Heritage

Silsoe

Luton MK45 4HR

01525 860152

goo.gl/VRf7DM

After decades behind virtually closed doors, its treasures overgrown and largely unknown, English Heritage is reviving one of Britain’s largest and most important ‘secret gardens’ – Wrest Park. This is a wonderful 90-acre historic landscape and French-style mansion which will take its rightful place among the country’s great garden attractions – and give locals and visitors to Bedfordshire a superb new day out.