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 Dunstable
is the oldest charter town in the county of Bedfordshire and is
currently home to approximately 33,500 residents, who regularly
elect their own Town, District and County Council representatives
to manage local affairs. The earliest recorded residents of Dunstable
lived on the northern most point of the Chilterns, on hills that
originated at the same time as the Himalayas and nowadays the ‘settlement’
nestles between the downs. Dunstable is fiercely proud of its rich
heritage yet, whilst it may be steeped in history, it is very much
a town in the present, working towards a bright future. Opened in
April 2007, Grove Theatre provides Dunstable with a 780-seat purpose
built arts and entertainment centre. The development which includes
accompanying bars and restaurants that overlook the re-landscaped
Grove House Gardens provides a striking heart to the cultural identity
of the area. You can also visit the newly converted Priory House
Heritage and Tourist Information Centre and take a walk today, through
Dunstable’s amazing past. The latest information on the exciting
events and activities that are taking part in and around the town
can be found via the Tourist Information Centre or on the Town Council’s
website: www.dunstable.gov.uk
Around and About TownDunstable’s town centre displays many
fine historic buildings. Indeed, many modern looking shops have
an internal structure dating from the earliest days of the Priory.
Before 1850 the town consisted of the four main crossroads, with
odd lanes leading into farmyards and the old ‘whiting works’.
Today the town still falls naturally into the four quarters demarked
by the original ancient routes, with Church Street and West Street
being the modern equivalent of the Icknield Way, and High Streets
North and South (today’s main A5) the ancient Roman Road.
For anyone wanting further information, the main exhibition at Priory
House: ‘Dunstable; the Town at the Crossroads’ provides
an invaluable insight into the town’s heritage whilst Dunstable
Library (see Town Centre map) has an extensive selection of books,
both for borrowing and reference, on local history.
 Church
Street
The outstanding monument that is the Priory Church of St Peter,
had both its access and focus on what is now High Street South.
The first Royal residence built here in the early 1100s is thought
to have been on the site now occupied by The Norman King public
house. Both these buildings are well worth a visit for their hospitality
as well as for the architecture. The nearby Almshouses, built in
1743, were endowed by Blandina Marshe and nowadays still house professional
single women.
High Street South
Priory Church has dominated the town and has been a focal point
for centuries. Founded by Henry I around 1131, the actual building
of the Priory took over 150 years, including extensive alterations
and repairs. If you visit today’s church you will see examples
of Norman, Early English, Perpendicular and more recent styles of
architecture.
On the 23rd May 1533, Dunstable Priory hosted an event which was
to change history. It was here that the court that annulled the
marriage of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon was held. This led
to the break with the Church of Rome and the establishment of the
Church of England.
To the west of the Church are the beautiful Priory Gardens, which
years ago would have been the Great Courtyard of the Cannons. The
equally beautiful Priory House is to be found across these gardens.
A Grade II* listed building, Priory House contains an original thirteenth
century vaulted stone ceiling. It is here that pilgrims travelling
along Watling Street and the Icknield Way would have stayed during
their visits. With the dissolution of the monasteries, the building
was converted into a private house and has been added to and altered
throughout the centuries. Priory House has also been used as an
asylum, a hat factory, rented living accommodation and offices.
With the aid of a Heritage Lottery Grant, Dunstable Town Council
has converted this magnificent piece of history and architecture
into a Heritage Centre.
Priory House Heritage Centre provides a focal point for access to
and participation in heritage activities in the town.
The main exhibition ‘Dunstable; the Town at the Crossroads’,
offers a fascinating insight into the incredible history of the
area. This building also houses the Tourist Information Centre for
South Bedfordshire, acting as a guide to the local area and further
afield. Along with tourist information, Priory House is the home
of a unique gift shop that offers high quality giftware for the
discerning visitor, including locally made craft items. If you are
feeling hungry after all the amazing history and shopping, a visit
to the fully licensed Rose Garden Tea Rooms will proffer a light
snack or repast fit for a King!
Further along the High Street and set slightly back, is a set of
Almshouses dating from 1723. Mrs Jane Cart, the daughter of Thomas
Chew who in 1715 fulfilled his own ambition to build a school for
40 Church of England boys, provided the money for these. This building
today, is known as ‘Chews House’, and is utilised as
the Parish office for the Priory Church. The small building to the
South of Chews House is Dunstable’s Little Theatre. Built
in the late 19th century, it has for some years been home to the
Dunstable Rep Theatre Club.
The Square and Ashton Square
Returning to the cross roads, on the west side of the street,
takes you to the old cattle market, The Square. The impressive spire
of the Methodist Church which dates from 1909, dominates this area
and that of Ashton Square. It is the third Methodist Church on the
site, the previous two both having been destroyed by fire.
Towards the cross roads the terrace of buildings sandwiched between
High Street South and Ashton Square is known as Middle Row. These
permanent workshops, erected during the 16th century, replaced portable
market stalls, which originally stood in their place, when Henry
I founded Dunstable as a market town. Recently Ashton Square has
once again become home to the traditional town market and a vast
range of items can be purchased from a variety of stalls each Wednesday,
Friday and Saturday, throughout the year. In addition to the regular
market, Dunstable also plays host to a selection of specialist markets
throughout the year that sell everything from gourmet food to Christmas
decorations. 
West Street Once more at the cross roads, West Street, like the
rest of Dunstable, is filled with notable buildings. The Nags Head
for instance, a 17th century hostelry, which although altered over
the years still offers a warm welcome, honed by over three hundred
years of inn-keeping. From West Street a glimpse can be caught of
the windmill, now sadly without sails. Built in 1839, this structure
originally contained five floors, and today is used by the local
Sea Cadet unit. Crossing the road, the South Bedfordshire CAMRA
pub of 2005 can be found. The Victoria Public House can offer food
as well as a selection of real ales and guest beers. Indeed, West
Street provides a selection of pubs and eateries to supplement shopping,
be a venue for an evening out or even a place to stay the night
if there is too much to fill one day in Dunstable. Heading back
into town the Dunstable Police Station can be found to assist in
locating further places of interest.
High Street North
High Street North was once lined with inns of all shapes and sizes,
and two large Hotels stood near the cross roads. The Crown formerly
known as The Raven and latterly as The Crow stood next to the White
Horse Inn, whose central archway still remains. Soon into the 19th
century when coach travel ceased, all the disused yards and stables
became ideal sites for hat factories and the large windows, needed
to allow in sufficient light for the bonnet makers, are still evident
here and there. Coach travel was replaced with the advent of the
railway and Dunstable had two stations serving different lines for
many years. Progressing north and  crossing
the historically busy road brings you to the elegant and attractive
offices of Dunstable Town Council and Dunstable Register Office,
the mid - 18th century Grove House. Tastefully restored, Grove House
is a beautiful and accessible centre for the civic administration
of the town, and is bordered to the rear by the colourful and serene
Grove House Gardens, which every summer play host to a variety of
concerts and events. Across the road from the gardens is an open,
more modern area of Dunstable where you will now find the library.
Also within this area you will see the Dunstable Leisure Centre,
Dunstable College, ten pin bowling alley and the stunning two storey
Grove Theatre arts and entertainment centre. The nearby Quadrant
Shopping Centre offers ‘traffic free’ high street shops
to residents and visitors, with the added bonus of free children’s
entertainment on selected Wednesdays and Saturdays throughout the
year. Back on High Street North, The Old Sugar Loaf Inn is yet another
living memorial from the coaching age in Dunstable and dating back
to 1717, is one of the oldest remaining inns in the town.
Environs Dunstable is contained by its countryside within a natural
gap in the northern Chiltern Hills. To the east you will find Blows
Down, acquired on behalf of the public by the Wildlife Trust, with
funding from Dunstable Town Council and the National Lottery. To
the west are Dunstable Downs, another large open public area with
an ancient history and breathtaking views. Miles of green lanes
lead to Sewell, the prehistoric camp at Maidenbower, and the earthworks
at Totternhoe Knolls. Other areas of the town are well served by
marked rights of way such as Dog Kennel Walk, which is a favourite
route from the town centre to nearby Houghton Regis.
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Introducing Dunstable
