About Dunstable : The History of Dunstable ~ Through the years.....

Dunstable....a town steeped in History

Grove House Gardens

Dunstable

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This 17th Century building which is now an office was once the largest private house in Dunstable and the home of the Grigg family who also owned many of the local inns in Dunstable.

If you look closely at the right hand side of the building you can see 16th century repairs to the wall made from pieces of Totternhoe stone, acquired during the dissolution of the monasteries.

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Alms Houses

High Street South

Dunstable

The Plaque below can be seen in the centre of these houses

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Church Street ~ Dunstable

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High Street North by the Santandar Building

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Whipping Post

This can be seen by Dunstable Aquatics Shop

West Street

Dunstable

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Along the side of this building which has a timber frame dating from the middle ages is Maypole Yard.

The name Maypole Yard comes from 19th Century name of the building that was an inn and still stands on the left hand side of the entrance. Here you can see the amazing wooden timber and to the rear of the building a wonderful looking chimney.

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The Priory Church of St. Peter

The current church building is all that remains of the Augustinian Priory of Dunstable.The Priory was founded in 1131 when Henry I granted it a Charter.

The Priory will celebrate the 800th anniversary of its dedication in 2013.

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Priory House ~ Heritage Centre and Tourist Information Centre

High Street South Dunstable

....and so the restoration continues.......

The Under Croft

Which continues to be renovated......

New signs are hung outside Priory House

A new fund raising group is in its early stages called:

Friends of Priory House and Gardens

Are looking for people interested in supporting a new Friends of Priory House and Gardens group.

The aim of the group is to support, promote and fund raise for this unique Grade II* listed building and it's beautiful surroundings.

You can participate in many ways from becoming an active member of the committee to volunteering some time to help develop activities, workshops and organise fund-raising events or help with projects and planting in the gardens.

For more information please see this link:

http://www.dunstable.gov.uk/priory-house/functions/priory-house/friends-priory-house-gardens/

Or on Facebook:

'Friends of Priory House and Gardens'

Everyone is welcome to join.

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Queen Eleanor's Cross

Queen Eleanor died in 1290 and her body stayed in Dunstable overnight on its journey to London. In 1291 the king built a cross to mark the site where her body had rested. In 1643 the Puritans demolished it. (They disapproved of all crosses).

This is Eleanor's Cross Shopping Precinct where it's replacement stands today

Off High Street North

Dunstable

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Once Dunstable's main Post Office

and telephone exchange

and at one point DHSS Office

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In Matthew Street stands a single story shed that was once Dunstable's first fire station.

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Dunstable Sea Cadets are based in the Old Mill on West Street in Dunstable; the Windmill has been around since the late 1700’s (in its basic form). However there are reports of a mill on this site going back much further (date unknown). It is a Grade II listed building, which restricts what alterations can be made.

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Dunstable's War Memorial

Priory Gardens

Dunstable

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Little Theatre

High Street South

Dunstable

Still open to this date.....

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The Old Sugar Loaf

High Street North

Dunstable

Recently renovated in 2011

Now a 'King's Feast' Restuarant

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Priory Middle School

Britain Street

Dunstable

Built in 1911 and onwards in to the future

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The Saracens Head Public House

High Street South

Dunstable

Established in 1540 still open today

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Bagshaws

Church Street

Dunstable

Dukeminster Estate to 2011

The whole estate now awaits demolition and regeneration

2011/2013 and onwards

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Dunstable's Old Ambulance Station

Now Grove Corner

The building still remains but has now been converted into

Grove Corner is a bright contemporary multi-functional building for services aimed at young people.

This beloings to Dunstable Town Council

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Dunstable Library

Still remains to this date....

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Dunstable Train Station

In the process of being replaced with

Dunstable Luton Busway

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The Cottage Garden Flower Shop
of Chiltern Road, has been trading in the same family in Dunstable for well over a century. Established in 1898 the business was originally a wholesale nursery growing flowers and plants for sale at market and from their current site in Chiltern Road.