13 Iconic Buildings to Explore in Bedfordshire

Ascott House is a former hunting box that dates back to the 16th Century was donated to the National Trust in 1949 by Anthony de Rothschild, together with the Ascott Collection. It is set in a 3,200-acre estate. There are a few steep slopes in the gardens, however many of the paths are level and provide stunning views over the Aylesbury Vale. All visitors using the paths and grounds are asked to take care and wear the appropriate footwear.

Once a royal residence to King Henry VIII and home to his daughter Princess Elizabeth I situated in the heart of the rolling Chiltern Hills, only 30 miles north of London. Today, Ashridge is home to Hult International Business School's Ashridge Executive Education program, as it has been since 1959. The estate is currently owned by the National Trust.

A majestic castle which was was first built as a motte in the 11th century, and later a shell keep was added, to be followed by a round tower with curtain walls. It was built by Henry I in a position overlooking the River Great Ouse. The castle remained a ruin until the urban expansion in Bedford during the 19th century when houses were built across much of the property. Today only part of the motte still stands, forming part of an archaeological park built on the site between 2007 and 2009.

This was an important residence belonging to the powerful Bishops of Lincoln. The first residence at Buckden would have been built of wood. Around 1225 Bishop Hugh de Wells built a new house of stone. The site was protected by a curtain wall and moat. Within the substantial courtyard and outer yard, comfortable accommodation and facilities, including a chapel, a churchyard, an orchard, and a park, were provided for the bishops and their entourages.

Cainhoe Castle remains as a prominent earthwork on the north side of the road from Clophill to Shefford. The castle was of the motte and bailey type. The motte was the mound, on which would have stood a wooden tower. The bailey was the open area enclosed by a bank, ditch, and wooden wall. The castle was of the motte and bailey type. The motte was the mound, on which would have stood a wooden tower. The bailey was the open area enclosed by a bank, ditch, and wooden wall.

A beautiful serpentine park and a Victorian garden which was set in the heart of a 10,000-acre estate, the 25 acres of extensive gardens are a combination of several styles including the romantic Italian Gardens, the unique Orangery, and impressive Arboretum. The full Castle Ashby experience also involves a menagerie, children's play area, plant centre, tea room and gift shop.

Chichele College is a rare surviving example of a chantry college. It was founded in 1422 by the locally born Henry Chichele, Archbishop of Canterbury. It’s a very special place; a Scheduled Monument which has considerable historical significance to the town and many who visit the site are enchanted by its spiritual atmosphere.

Houghton House is a ruined mansion house in the parish of Houghton Conquest, Bedfordshire. It was built in the early 17th century by Mary Herbert, Countess of Pembroke, as an elaborate hunting lodge. The house is reputed to have been the model for the ‘Palace Beautiful’ in John Bunyan’s The Pilgrim’s Progress, published in 1678.

A majestic Norman castle which was the final resting place of Catherine of Aragon, Henry VIII’s divorced and banished Spanish Queen, Kimbolton Castle sits amidst wooded grounds close to the small town of Kimbolton. All that remains of the Norman castle is a low mound, surrounded by a ditch and covered with trees, which can be seen by looking up the hill from the Duchess Walk. It was one of the main attractions in this area and is famous among the tourists.

Luton Hoo Estate is a traditional privately owned Country Estate that continues to trust in its history and values. A traditional Estate that once included one of England's finest stately homes. Today, the Estate boasts an arable farm (with environmentally-friendly systems incorporated within its techniques), parkland, residential properties, commercial units, a historic model farm and a local food hub.

The Moot Hall was originally built to serve Elstow Abbey as a market house but is now a museum. Built around 1550, this timber framed brick building is now home to the Aldeburgh Museum, as well as still being used for local council meetings. Sarah and her son recently visited Aldeburgh and just had to take a look inside this incredible building.

St Paul's Walden Bury is a notable landscape garden, laid out in the early 18th-century, covering about 50 acres. It is the childhood home of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. The surrounding estate, with its arable and livestock farm and its ancient woodland, is a traditional country estate set in the heart of the beautiful Hertfordshire countryside.

Woburn Abbey is a historic house on the border of Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire. Its 22 rooms over 3 floors house a splendid collection of art, furniture and so more. 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. Today it is occupied by the 15th Duke and his family.