Clophill House

Bedford - John Bunyan Museums

Bedford was the home of John Bunyan (1628-1688), one of the english language's greatest writers, where he did most of his preaching and writing and spent much of his life imprisoned for doing so. His most famous work is probably "Pilgrim's Progress". There are several museums dedicated to John Bunyan, including the old Moot Hall in Elstow village, and the Bunyam Meeting House, Mill Road, Bedford.

Links:
Bunyan Trail
Elstow Moot Hall
Bedford Museum
John Bunyan Museum

Imperial War Museum Duxford

Duxford is Europe's premier aviation museum - as well as having one of the finest collections of tanks, military vehicles and naval exhibits in the country.

Allow a full day to explore the gallerys in each of the hangars. Exhibits include:

AirSpace - The story of British and Commonwealth aviation, with over 30 military and civil aircraft and a fun, interactive Exhibitions Gallery.
Hangar 2 – The Flying Museum - See Duxford's partner organisations prepare their historic ‘warbirds’ for flight.
Hangar 3 – The Maritime Collection - The exhibits in Hangar 3 show how submarines, torpedoes and aircraft changed the nature of war at sea.
Hangar 4 – The Battle of Britain - Inside Hangar 4 is the story of Britain’s finest hour. See how the Battle of Britain was won, and find out about the air defence of the nation from the First World War to the Cold War.
Hangar 5 – The Working Museum - Here you can see conservation staff and volunteers actively preserving our aviation heritage.
Historic Duxford - Duxford is one of the finest-preserved examples of a First World War, Second World War and Cold War airfield.
The American Air Museum - The American Air Museum exhibits the finest collection of American combat aircraft outside of the United States, telling the story of American air power and its effect on the modern world.
The Land Warfare Hall - The Land Warfare Hall houses Duxford's collection of tanks, military vehicles and artillery. It shows the technological advances in twentieth-century warfare.

Duxford is just south of Cambridge on Junction 10 of the M11 motorway. Less than
50 miles from London and approximately 30 minutes from the M25. Easily accessible
from the A1, A14, M1 and the North.

IWM Duxford telephone: 01223 835 000.

FREE FOR CHILDREN (15 and under)

Open 7 days a week except 24 - 26 December
14 March - 24 October: 10.00am - 6.00pm
26 October - 13 March: 10.00am - 4.00pm
(last admission 1 hour before closing)

Links:
Duxford
Air Shows

Leighton Buzzard Narrow Gauge Railway

Pages Park Station, Billington Road, Leighton Buzzard, Beds. Tel 01525 373888

Website: www.buzzrail.co.uk

One of the most popular narrow gauge railways in the country. Restored 2 ft gauge industrial railway specialising in first world war military transport running 2 ¾ miles on the edge of Leighton Buzzard. Steam and diesel locosmotives. Open Sundays and bank holidays 13 March to 30 October, also Wednesdays from June to August and Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays throughout August. Find out what it was like to ride to the trenches.

Mossman Collection of Horse-drawn Vehicles

Stockwood Museum, Farley Hill, Luton, Beds. Tel 01582 738714.

Website: Stockwood Museum

One of the largest collections of of horse drawn vehicles in the UK, telling the story of transport before cars.

The Transport gallery also includes early cars, steam traction engines and a reconstructed garage. Opens April to October 10.00-17.00, Tuesdays to Sundays, then 10.00-16.00 on weekends through the winter.

This is part of the larger Stockwood Museum which also includes lovely gardens and sculptures.

Pitstone Green Museum

Vicarage Road, Pitstone, Leighton Buzzard, Beds. Tel 01582 605464.

Agricultural and local craft museum in original 1830's buildings including 17th C. timbered barn. Exhibits include a large Crossley gas engine, vintage wireless room, saw mill, model railway, and a Lancaster bomber cockpit. Call to check opening days.

Stondon Museum

Station Road, Lower Stondon, Henlow, Beds. Tel 01462 850339.

The largest private auto collection in Britain with over 400 exhibits including cars, motorbikes, buses, fire engines, army vehicles and a replica of Captain Cooks's ship "Endeavour". Open daily 10.00-17.00 except Christmas week.

Shuttleworth Collection

Old Warden Aerodrome, Beds. Tel 01767 627288.

Website: Shuttleworth Collection

Collection of over 47 historic aircraft in flying condition together with vintage cars, bicycles, etc. Regular flying displays often using Clophill Old Church as a landmark. Open daily 10.00-17.00 (16.00 in winter).

Toddington Manor Farm Machinery Museum

Toddington Manor, Toddington, Beds. Tel 01525 872576.

Private collection of over 100 vintage tractors and farm machinery. Viewing by appointment only.

Website: Toddington Manor

Whipsnade Zoo & Great Whipsnade Railway

Whipsnade Wild Animal Park, Dunstable, Beds. Tel 01582 872171.

A 2 ft 6 in narrow gauge railway running 1 ¾ mile through the paddocks of the animal park. Steam and diesel locomotives. Open daily Easter to September.