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 onto 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/lodging house 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 1950, Moot Hall was fully authentically restored. It was opened for the Festival of Britain in May 1951 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 over 350 years |
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Moot Hall is run by a small team of volunteers, all of whom are very knowledgeable about its history (and that of Elstow village) so, when you visit, don't be shy about asking them questions.
As well as Bunyan-related items, Moot Hall houses a collection of 17th century furniture and various small exhibitions, including of Elstow-made beautiful Bedfordshire lace. (Examples of which you can purchase in Moot's small shop).
So, why not bring the family, perhaps have a picnic on the green, then: take a look at: the beautiful interior of Moot Hall? You could follow that with a stroll around the ancient 13th and 14th century timber-framed cottages on Elstow's High Street, the 11th century Abbey church and the ruins of the former Benedictine nunnery and "Elstow Place" - the Hillersden Mansion. Then you could round off your visit with a cuppa and a cake at Elstow Post Office's Cottage Tea Room or the Red Lion Pub.
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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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Admission. On open afternoons, there is no admission fee for individuals and families. Instead, we invite you to leave a donation, at the end of your visit, for whatever amount you feel your visit was worth. (Please note that we can only accept cash. - This is a truly medieval place!)
Talks. If sufficient staff are available, they will be happy to talk to you about the history of Elstow/.the Abbey / John Bunyan We can, if you wish, give informal talks and we can tailor the content and length of those to suit your interest(s) and the time you have available.
Children are very welcome, provided that they are accompanied by a responsible adult.
Open Days & Times
1. Saturday Afternoons; From the beginning of April until the end of October - 1pm to 4pm. (On May Festival fay, from 12noon to 4pm)
2. Bank Holiday Monday afternoons: 1pm to 4pm
3. Weekdays afternoons; The curator lives next door and, if he is available, he will happily open Moot Hall on request. Please see the directions on Moot Hall's notice board. However, as he isn't always available, it is advisable to email him at least several days in advance, to make an appointment.
Group Visits - Groups are welcome to visit - by appointment only at almost any time of the year - provided, of course, that one of our volunteer curators is available. There is an entry charge for group visits; Adults £4pp children £1 pp - payable in cash. (or we can invoice you). To arrange a group visit, click HERE to contact the curator - You need to do this at least a week in advance of your intended visit..
Schools - School groups are very welcome - provided that teachers bring relevant structured work for their students. Visits must be booked in advance, via the curator, and teachers may also contact the curator to arrange a pre-visit, to help them decide what work to prepare for their students. 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 a wealth of information about John Bunyan on the Elstow Village website, some video teaching materials on the Bunyan's Bedford website and an excellent animated film version of The Pilgrim's Progress is available on youtube.
There is no admission charge for Bedford Borough school children. For all other schools; the charge is £1 per child.
To arrange a date for your visit, (or pre-visit) click here to Contact the curator.
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Moot Hall School Visit Risk Assessment form;
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Facilities
Car Parking
There is a small car park adjacent to Moot Hall - only for people visiting the museum. - and this may be accessed from Church End. There are also three spaces in a small lay-by on Church End, opposite Moot Hall. Also at the Abbey Church, which is at the western end of Church End, and a large car park at The Red Lion Pub.
Disabled access.
There is one parking space at Moot Hall exclusively 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 some raised beams in the downstairs floor which you will need to be able to step over and one bay may not be accessible to wider wheelchairs. Sorry, but Moot is, after all, an authentic medieval building!
Shop.
We have a small shop where you can purchase postcards, Elstow lace, books, tea-towels etc.
Please Note; we are unable to accept payments by card or cheque - we can only accept cash.
Refreshments
You can purchase refreshments and meals at the The Cottage tearoom and Garden or at the Red Lion public house. They are located opposite each other on Elstow's High Street: MK42 9XP
Toilets
Moot Hall's toilets are only available when the Hall is open - ask the duty curator for the key. There is a paved wheelchair access pathway from West End. or, if you don't mind a few bumps, by going direct from Moot across the green.
Toilets are also available at the Red Lion public house (during normal pub opening hours) and
at The Cottage tearoom and Garden.
Car Parking
There is a small car park adjacent to Moot Hall - only for people visiting the museum. - and this may be accessed from Church End. There are also three spaces in a small lay-by on Church End, opposite Moot Hall. Also at the Abbey Church, which is at the western end of Church End, and a large car park at The Red Lion Pub.
Disabled access.
There is one parking space at Moot Hall exclusively 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 some raised beams in the downstairs floor which you will need to be able to step over and one bay may not be accessible to wider wheelchairs. Sorry, but Moot is, after all, an authentic medieval building!
Shop.
We have a small shop where you can purchase postcards, Elstow lace, books, tea-towels etc.
Please Note; we are unable to accept payments by card or cheque - we can only accept cash.
Refreshments
You can purchase refreshments and meals at the The Cottage tearoom and Garden or at the Red Lion public house. They are located opposite each other on Elstow's High Street: MK42 9XP
Toilets
Moot Hall's toilets are only available when the Hall is open - ask the duty curator for the key. There is a paved wheelchair access pathway from West End. or, if you don't mind a few bumps, by going direct from Moot across the green.
Toilets are also available at the Red Lion public house (during normal pub opening hours) and
at The Cottage tearoom and Garden.
Exhibits
To preview some of Moot Hall's exhibits, go to the Moot Hall Exhibits page (on the Elstow Village website)
HistoryThere is much, much more historical information, pictures and videos about Moot Hall, the Abbey and Elstow village, on the Elstow Village website.
Also on the Bedfordshire Archives website. |
Download our "Brief History of Moot Hall" leaflet; |
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John Bunyan
Family history, facts about The Pilgrims Progress (including the film); Elstow Village History Archive
To view Bunyan - related pictures; Elstow Picture Archive
For Bunyan - related locations and the Bunyan Trail, please visit the Bunyan's Bedford website.
To view Bunyan - related pictures; Elstow Picture Archive
For Bunyan - related locations and the Bunyan Trail, please visit the Bunyan's Bedford website.
