Elstow, Bedfordshire

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Brief description

"Located on the edge of Bedford, just north of its southern by-pass (A421), Elstow has a long history; there was a settlement here in Saxon times, but it may actually be far older than that, as both Bronze Age (3300BC to 1200BC) and Neolithic items have been found in the local area.

Although some think that the present day name of Elstow derives from the name of the Abbey - the church of St Helena - it is more likely that 'Elstow' evolved from its Saxon name of Elnestou. 

From 1075 until 1539 AD, Elstow was home to a thriving Benedictine Nunnery -Elstow Abbey. The present day Parish Church is the remaining half of the former Abbey church. At the rear of the church are the ruins of 'Elstow Place', a mansion formed out of the nunnery cloisters by Sir Thomas Hillersden 4th, after the death of his father in 1632.

The centre of Elstow is a conservation area and is often described as an 'oasis of tranquillity', with it's attractive village green - a pleasant place for a picnic and for children to play in safety.
On the green stands the Moot Hall, a unique medieval building, in that it was a combined market-house/ Manor courtroom, shopping centre and guesthouse. It was built for the nunnery in c 1440-1450 and restored in 1950 to become a museum of 17th century life.  The nearby High Street is lined with attractive timber-framed cottages, some dating back to the 13th century. The Red Lion is nearly as old as Moot Hall - the earliest surviving conveyance document for it is dated 1576. "

For more information on Elstow history see:

https://elstow.weebly.com/ 

Address

Post town: BEDFORD

Email

Via contact form: https://elstow.weebly.com/contact-and-links.html 

Phone

Website

https://elstow.weebly.com/

https://elstowparishcouncil.gov.uk/ 

Directions

Opening Times

Always check with the venue directly for up-to-date information including opening times and admission charges as they may be subject to change

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