Dunstable: History, Markets and Gardens
Accommodation in Dunstable
Dunstable combines listed buildings, award-winning green spaces, a seasonal market and a wooden sculpture trail with a historical theme. Its varied attractions help you plan your stay around your interests: architectural history, inclusive play, crafts or stories about the town can each be explored at specific locations.
Historic buildings and their conditions
Priory House is a Grade II* listed building in the centre of Dunstable and is considered the town’s oldest secular building. Among its distinctive features is a preserved, nationally rare vaulted undercroft dating from the 13th century. Its protected status, age and specific architectural feature make Priory House an important point of reference for anyone interested in Dunstable’s architectural history.
The current restoration status is important when planning a visit: the tea rooms, exhibition area and Jacobean Room are closed to the public until further notice while restoration work is underway. If these areas are part of your plans, check in advance whether access has changed.
The Priory Lady Chapel offers a different historical connection. It is associated with Cranmer’s Court, the court that declared the marriage of King Henry VIII and his first wife, Catherine of Aragon, unlawful. This connection adds an ecclesiastical dimension to Dunstable’s history.
Green spaces and different interests
Priory Gardens have been awarded a Green Flag Award. The gardens and their grounds are also protected as a Scheduled Monument. Here, recognition as a green space combines with a separate protected status for the site. This makes it a different kind of point of reference in Dunstable from the architectural history of Priory House: the focus is on the gardens and the protected character of their grounds.
Grove House Gardens is another Green Flag Award-winning green space, this time in the town centre. Its play area is designed to enable children of all abilities to play together. This particular focus is especially relevant for families who want to include shared play when choosing their outings. Priory Gardens and Grove House Gardens therefore offer different points of interest: one is a protected garden site, while the other is a centrally located green space with an inclusively designed play area.
Markets and local crafts
The Middle Row Markets take place twice a month from March to December, on the second and third Saturdays. The markets showcase handmade crafts, special gifts and local produce. Their seasonal schedule sets them apart from the town’s historical attractions: if a market visit is an essential part of your stay, plan your travel dates around the market days. Market dates may change, so check them before you travel.
Six sculptures telling Dunstable’s history
The Wooden Sculpture Trail “Carving a Journey Through Dunstable” consists of six sculptures located around the town. The sculptures share information about the people, industries and events that have shaped Dunstable’s history. The trail links sculptural works with historical themes, offering a different way to explore the town than a single building or market day. Anyone interested in Dunstable’s development will find several historical points of reference spread across the town.
For an overview of the wider destination: Bedfordshire.
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