Woburn, Bedford Street c.1955

Photo ref: W300005

More about this scene

The date on this photograph is the year in which the Duke of Bedford opened Woburn Abbey to visitors in the truly commercial sense. There is little in the picture to indicate that the town was about to enter an era of prosperity as a 'honey pot' tourist trap, although there can be no doubt that the genteel 'tea rooms' on the right will have rapidly been inundated as the visitor numbers rose. The grounds of Woburn Abbey were officially 'out of bounds' prior to 1955, but nevertheless gave an excellent grounding in country lore to teenagers who were allowed to believe that they were outwitting the estate staff - just as long as no damage was caused in the process. Just out of the picture, on the left, are the buildings of the village school originally established by Francis, the 5th Earl of Bedford.