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Historic Towns & Picturesque Villages

Dobbs Weir, Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire

Hoddesdon

in the county of Hertfordshire

Pictures of Elstow

About Elstow

This pleasant village, with many thatched cottages and houses, was the birthplace of the writer of Pilgrim's Progress - John Bunyan was born here and was baptised in the Church of St. Helena and St.Mary in the year 1628, his family are buried in the churchyard.

Elstow's fine Moot Hall is a building of 1500, this is a medieval market hall which is open to the public, it houses a collection illustrating John Bunyan's life and times. The Moot Hall has beautiful timbers and an overhanging upper floor which contains the main room. This, together with the parish church, overlooks the village green.

A nunnery was founded here by the sister of William the Conqueror, this is believed to have had its own gallows, pillory and ducking pond. Nothing now remains of the original nunnery buildings, save for what is used for the present day church which has parts dating back to the 11th century. Despite being much restored there remains fine Norman work to be seen, including vaulting. The church with it's detached bell-tower of the 15th century has much to interest the visitor, there is a large Perpendicular font, this is octagonal, decorated with quatrefoils on the bowl and figures to the base. The wooden pulpit is of the same period, this has intricate carved panels, and there are interesting monuments from many periods.

Elstow lies surrounded by rich agricultural lands, it has a good mix of old and new properties, is within easy reach of many other delightful Bedfordshire villages, with the town of Bedford and its interesting museum lying a few miles north of this attractive village.

Recommended towns & villages near Elstow

This is a photo I took in Bedford in June 2003 at St Peter's Church

Bedford (71 Pictures) a Historic Market Town in the county of Bedfordshire

(2.2 miles, 3.5 km, direction N of Elstow)

Bedford is the historic County town of Bedfordshire with a beautiful riverside setting on the great River Ouse. John Bunyan, author of Pilgrim's has strong associations with this town...

A picture of Ampthill

Ampthill (13 Pictures) a Historic Market Town in the county of Bedfordshire

(5.2 miles, 8.3 km, direction S of Elstow)

The lovely town of Ampthill lies sheltered by hills in the sandstone belt of Bedfordshire...

Chocolate Box

Old Warden (23 Pictures) a Picturesque Village in the county of Bedfordshire

(5.4 miles, 8.7 km, direction E of Elstow)

Old Warden is a sleepy Bedfordshire village with pretty honey-coloured thatched cottages and a wealth of other interesting buildings...

Trees

Woburn (30 Pictures) in the county of Bedfordshire

(10.5 miles, 16.9 km, direction SW of Elstow)

The picturesque village of Woburn has an mixture of delightful old cottages and the magnificent Woburn Abbey...

Olney, Buckinghamshire

Olney (62 Pictures) a Historic Market Town in the county of Buckinghamshire

(10.8 miles, 17.4 km, direction W of Elstow)

Amongst other things the small town of Olney in Buckinghamshire is famous for its hymns - Amazing Grace was one of the so-called Olney Hymns written by the rector John Newton, and William Cowper, the poet...

All towns & villages in Bedfordshire
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Nearby attractions..

A picture of Houghton House

Houghton House (24 Pictures)

(4.4 miles, 7.1 km, direction S)

Houghton House is a 3 story stately home built by Lady Pembroke in 1621. Houghton is reputedly the model for "House Beautiful" in.....

Sunset in April at Rowney Warren, Nr Chicksands, Shefford, Beds

Rowney Warren (1 Pictures)

(5.5 miles, 8.9 km, direction SE)

Rowney Warren is a lively woodland managed jointly by the Southill Estate and the Forestry Commission. The wood is predominantly.....

Swiss Garden, Old Warden, Bedfordshire - October 2005

The Swiss Garden (29 Pictures)

(5.8 miles, 9.3 km, direction E)

These glorious gardens, laid out in the early part of the 19th century, fully embrace the romanticism of the era. The fashion at.....

DH 89A Dragon Rapide Old Warden (pleasure flights)

The Shuttleworth Collection (48 Pictures)

(5.9 miles, 9.5 km, direction E)

The Shuttleworth Collection - a unique flying collection showcasing the first one hundred years of flight. This unique collection.....

A sunny winter December 17th 2006 at Shuttleworth House, Bedfordshire

Shuttleworth House (3 Pictures)

(5.9 miles, 9.5 km, direction E)

coming soon email: collection@shuttleworth.org http://www.shuttleworthcollection.co.uk/..

Cainhoe Castle, Clophill, Bedfordshire.

Cainhoe Castle (2 Pictures)

(6.0 miles, 9.6 km, direction SE)

The remains of a late 11th or early 12th century motte and bailey castle with three baileys. Cainhoe castle was probably occupied.....

Wrest House, Silsoe, Bedfordshire

Wrest Park House and Gardens (70 Pictures)

(6.9 miles, 11.2 km, direction S)

Wrest Park House was once the home of the de Grey family whose Mausoleum is at nearby Flitton. The gardens form a charming.....


All attractions in Elstow
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