Visiting Moot Hall and Elstow
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Step into the world of John Bunyan when you visit the delightful village of Elstow.
Wander on to the village green and discover Moot Hall - a registered Ancient Monument. This delightful 15th century timber-framed building is unique, being the only known combined manor courthouse & market hall to have been built in Britain by a nunnery. The nuns of Elstow Abbey were very enterprising - it was they who ordered the building of all the timber-framed properties that comprise old Elstow. In 1951, Moot Hall was restored and opened as a museum of 17th century life, dedicated to local author John Bunyan. Bunyan’s book - “The Pilgrim’s Progress” - has been the best-selling, single authored, book, worldwide, for almost 350 years |
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As well as Bunyan-related items, Moot Hall houses a collection of 17th century furniture and various small exhibitions, including Bedfordshire lace-making.
Bring the family, have a picnic on the green, then: take a look at: the beautiful interior of Moot Hal. Follow that with a stroll around the ancient timber-framed buildings on Elstow's High Street and the Abbey church and ruins of the former Benedictine nunnery. Then round off your visit with a cuppa at Elstow Tea Garden.
Some pictures of our visitors - May Festival Saturday 7th May 2022
(Thanks to all, for giving us permission to feature their photos here.)
(Thanks to all, for giving us permission to feature their photos here.)
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You can download our Publicity leaflet here ➡
To view it in other languages: 1. download the PDF file; 2. go to; Google translate; 3. click on 'Documents'; 4. upload this file and google will translate it. |
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Covid 19 - When in Moot Hall, we advise you to wear a mask or visor.
Admission. There is no admission fee for individuals and families. But we invite you to leave a donation, at the end of your visit, for however much you feel your visit was worth.
Talks. When sufficient volunteer staff are available, you will be offered a short talk about the history of Elstow. We can tailor the content to suit your interests.
Children are very welcome to visit Moot Hall, provided that they are accompanied by a responsible adult.
Opening Days & Times 2022:
1. Saturday Afternoons From 2nd April until the 29th October. 1pm to 4pm.
2. Bank Holiday Monday afternoons: 18th April, 2nd May, 2nd June, 29th August. 1pm to 4pm
3. Weekdays afternoons; The curator lives nearby and will, if he is available, happily open Moot Hall on request - see the directions on Moot Hall's notice board. However, to avoid possible disappointment, we recommend that anyone intending to visit on a weekday afternoon email the curator in advance to make an appointment.
Groups - Are welcome to visit by appointment, on any day of the week, at almost any time of the year - provided one of our volunteer curators is available. There is a charge for group visits; Adults £4, children £1.
Schools; School groups are very welcome at Moot provided that teachers bring relevant structured work for their students. Teachers may arrange a pre-visit (with the curator) to help them decide what to prepare.
Suggested educational themes: John Bunyan; The Pilgrims Progress; Tudor Buildings; 17th century life; lace-making; local history; Henry VIII, abolition of the monasteries. There is lots of information about John Bunyan on the Elstow Village website and some video teaching materials on the Bunyan's Bedford website.
There is no charge for Bedford Borough schools. Other schools; £1 per child, teachers free.
Please contact the curator to book an appointment.
Admission. There is no admission fee for individuals and families. But we invite you to leave a donation, at the end of your visit, for however much you feel your visit was worth.
Talks. When sufficient volunteer staff are available, you will be offered a short talk about the history of Elstow. We can tailor the content to suit your interests.
Children are very welcome to visit Moot Hall, provided that they are accompanied by a responsible adult.
Opening Days & Times 2022:
1. Saturday Afternoons From 2nd April until the 29th October. 1pm to 4pm.
2. Bank Holiday Monday afternoons: 18th April, 2nd May, 2nd June, 29th August. 1pm to 4pm
3. Weekdays afternoons; The curator lives nearby and will, if he is available, happily open Moot Hall on request - see the directions on Moot Hall's notice board. However, to avoid possible disappointment, we recommend that anyone intending to visit on a weekday afternoon email the curator in advance to make an appointment.
Groups - Are welcome to visit by appointment, on any day of the week, at almost any time of the year - provided one of our volunteer curators is available. There is a charge for group visits; Adults £4, children £1.
Schools; School groups are very welcome at Moot provided that teachers bring relevant structured work for their students. Teachers may arrange a pre-visit (with the curator) to help them decide what to prepare.
Suggested educational themes: John Bunyan; The Pilgrims Progress; Tudor Buildings; 17th century life; lace-making; local history; Henry VIII, abolition of the monasteries. There is lots of information about John Bunyan on the Elstow Village website and some video teaching materials on the Bunyan's Bedford website.
There is no charge for Bedford Borough schools. Other schools; £1 per child, teachers free.
Please contact the curator to book an appointment.
Car Park
There is a small private car park adjacent to Moot Hall, accessible from Church End. Parking for visitors to Moot Hall is permitted only when the Hall is open.
Disabled access
There is one parking space reserved for .Blue Badge Holders
Access to the upper floor of Moot Hall is via a flight of fairly steep stairs but there is a chair-lift.
There are raised timbers set into the ground floor, making some areas difficult to access for wheelchair users. (Sorry, but Moot is a medieval building!)
Toilets - Sorry but due to Covid precautions, our toilets are not available for use.
Toilets are available during normal pub opening hours, at the Red Lion public house. Also, from Friday to Monday, at Elstow Tea Garden.
There is a small private car park adjacent to Moot Hall, accessible from Church End. Parking for visitors to Moot Hall is permitted only when the Hall is open.
Disabled access
There is one parking space reserved for .Blue Badge Holders
Access to the upper floor of Moot Hall is via a flight of fairly steep stairs but there is a chair-lift.
There are raised timbers set into the ground floor, making some areas difficult to access for wheelchair users. (Sorry, but Moot is a medieval building!)
Toilets - Sorry but due to Covid precautions, our toilets are not available for use.
Toilets are available during normal pub opening hours, at the Red Lion public house. Also, from Friday to Monday, at Elstow Tea Garden.
Exhibits
To preview some of Moot Hall's exhibits, go to the Moot Hall Exhibits page (on the Elstow Village website)
History
Download our "Brief History of Moot Hall" leaflet.
There is more historical information, pictures and videos about Moot Hall, the Abbey and Elstow village, on the Elstow Village website.
There is more historical information, pictures and videos about Moot Hall, the Abbey and Elstow village, on the Elstow Village website.
John Bunyan
For more Bunyan-related locations, visit the John Bunyan's Bedford website.
For more Bunyan family history, go to; Elstow Village History Archive
To view Bunyan pictures, go to; Elstow Picture Archive
For more Bunyan family history, go to; Elstow Village History Archive
To view Bunyan pictures, go to; Elstow Picture Archive
