Willington Dovecote and Stables

Grade I listed Willington Dovecote and Stables at Willington in Bedford are managed by the National Trust and are open seasonally.

The dovecote and stable block at Willington date to the 16th Century, Tudor period and were built on the profit John Gostwick made from Henry VIII’s dissolution of the monasteries after buying the parish in 1529, then being promoted by the king in 1535, enabling him to build an impressive manorial complex on the site.

Willington Dovecote is said to be one of the largest and best preserved examples remaining from the 16th Century in England.

Before the National Trust became involved the Tudor dovecote was saved by a campaign that began in the early 20th Century with support and funding being gathered relatively quickly over a few months.

Created: 11  December  2022  Edited: 29  November  2023