Woburn Abbey and Gardens, Milton Keynes

Date: Wednesday 9th September 2015

Timings: Leave Leominster 8:00am., Hereford (Merton Meadow Car Park) at 8:30am., Ross on Wye (Edde Cross Street) at 9:10am. We will have a stop enroute each way.

We will depart Woburn at approx 5pm and travel back to Ross at 8:00pm, Hereford at 8:30pm and Leominster at 9:00pm.

Costs: Including entry into Woburn Abbey & Gardens, and travel costs are £39 per person.

The Abbey has been the home of the Earls and Dukes of Bedford, one of England’s most powerful families, since the 1620’s. It is currently the home of the 15th Duke and Duchess of Bedfordtheir children.

Woburn Abbey first opened to the public in 1955 and has welcomed visitors from all over the globe. There are 22 rooms which house one of the most significant private art collections in the world.

As you explore the many individual rooms of Woburn Abbey, you will also discover 18thFrench and English furniture, magnificent silver and gold collections, in the underground vaults, and a marvellous range of porcelain and many privately collected items treasured by generations of the Russell family.

Originally a monastery, Woburn Abbey was given by Edward VI to the Russell family in 1547. Since then, leading architects, including Henry Flitcroft, Henry Holland and Sir Jeffery Wyatville, have created the stunning historic house that it is today.

Outside there are over 28 award-winning acres to explore, inspired by the designs of landscape gardener Humphry Repton and developed by the dedicated gardens team at Woburn.

Woburn Abbey can provide afternoon tea, but lunches are only on a pre booked basis, so I have allocated us enough time to stop for lunch before we get to Woburn.