Dunstable brings together architectural and ecclesiastical history, award-winning green spaces, a regular market and a wooden sculpture trail. Priory House and the Priory Lady Chapel relate to different historical themes; gardens, markets and sculptures reveal other sides of the town. The range extends from a rare architectural feature to a listed garden and an inclusively designed play area, as well as regular market days.
Priory House: architectural history and access
Priory House is a Grade II* listed building in the centre of Dunstable and is regarded as the town’s oldest secular building. One of its distinctive features is a surviving vaulted 13th-century undercroft, which is nationally rare. The listing applies to the building, while the age and national rarity refer to the specific surviving feature.
When planning your visit, bear access in mind: while restoration work is ongoing, the tea rooms, exhibition area and Jacobean Room are closed to the public until further notice. As the restoration status may change, check current access arrangements before your visit.
Green spaces with distinct features
Priory Gardens is a Green Flag Award-winning site in Dunstable; Priory Gardens and its grounds are a Scheduled Monument. Grove House Gardens has also received the Green Flag Award and is a green space in the town centre. Its play area is designed to enable children of all abilities to play together. Both places share the same award, while their other features set them apart: Priory Gardens also has Scheduled Monument status, while Grove House Gardens is distinguished by its central location and inclusively designed play area.
Market days and local history
The Middle Row Markets take place twice a month from March to December, on the second and third Saturdays. They feature handmade arts and crafts, unique gifts and local produce. Visiting the market therefore depends on specific Saturdays, rather than any weekend. Check the dates in advance, as they may change.
The “Carving a Journey Through Dunstable” Wooden Sculpture Trail comprises six sculptures installed around Dunstable. It provides information about the people, industries and events that have shaped the town’s history. Its historical perspective therefore extends beyond the story of a single building: the trail covers people, economic activities and events.
The Priory Lady Chapel is also connected with a specific historical theme: it is associated with the court that declared the marriage of King Henry VIII and his first wife, Catherine of Aragon, unlawful. This legal connection complements the architectural perspective of Priory House and the local history themes presented by the trail. Those choosing historical highlights can distinguish between a single building, stories about people, industries and events, and a court decision.
Discover more destinations
Discover more destinations: Sandy, Chalton, Wyboston, Bedford, Woburn, Lower Stondon, Barton-le-Clay, Clapham
Back to the main travel guide: Bedfordshire.
