Elstow - The Moot Hall & Village Green
Step into the world of John Bunyan when you visit this
delightful 15th century timber-framed market hall, set on the
village green, in the centre of the delightful village of Elstow.
Elstow Green is a delightful place
for a picnic on a summer's day and access is free all year
round.
Click on any of the images
below to view full size image.
The Moot Hall was originally built
to serve Elstow Abbey as a
market house but is now a museum. It contains beautiful period
furniture and has exhibits illustrating the life and traditions of
17th century England.
So why not bring the family, have a
picnic on the green, take a look at the beautiful interior of Moot
Hall and the Abbey Church (the
remains of a once much-larger Abbey) and the ancient timber-framed
buildings on Elstow's High Street.
Moot Hall Group Bookings: Groups are
welcome to visit by appointment, at any time of the year.
Please contact the curator for details
Moot Hall Open Days: Moot Hall is open to the
public from 1 to 4pm on Saturdays, from Easter (or the beginning of
April) to the end of September. It is also open on Elstow Mayday
and all Bank Holiday Mondays.
Moot Hall may be opened for visitors on other afternoons, by
request, if the curator is available. A minimum admission charge
applies - details are posted on Moot Hall's Elstow Green notice
board.
Admission to Moot Hall: There is a small charge
for admission.
Hiring Moot Hall and/or Elstow
Green: Moot Hall is available to hire for small private
functions, training sessions and meetings. The Green may also be
hired for some larger functions. Both are available for hire for
corporate events, paranormal investigations and as
film locations. Contact the curator for current rates.
Disabled access: Access to
the upper floor is by stairs or stair-lift. There are ancient
timbers set into the ground floor, making some areas difficult to
access for wheelchair users.
Elstow's
Traditional May Festival.
This event takes place, usually on the second Saturday in May,
starting at lunchtime.
There is a traditional May Day procession, crowning of the May
Queen and maypole dancing. Also, usually, there is usually a
funfair, live music, tea and cakes, bric-a-brac stalls and Moot
Hall is open. For exact times, see local posters or contact
the vicar at Elstow Abbey -
01234-261477
Contact Details:
Moot Hall
Church End
Elstow
Bedford, MK42 9XT
Email: moot.hall@bedford.gov.uk
Tel: (01234) 266889 Please note; Moot Hall's
telephone is only manned when the museum is open - At all other
times, you can leave a voicemail message.
Directions: Elstow is located south
of Bedford and is signposted from the A421 and A6.
Click
here for Location map
Buses - Stagecoach and
Grant
Palmer operate bus services which stop in Elstow High
Street.
Information leaflets
To download
a copy of our leaflet, containing all the above information, please
click here.
To download
our Elstow and Moot Hall history leaflet, please click
here.
History of
Elstow May Festival, please click here
Other websites which may be of
interest;
Bunyan Museum
Elstow Abbey
Hidden
Britain
Record Office, Elstow pages
Wikipedia, Elstow
page