Woburn

I live in a precious little village called Woburn Sands.  Down the road, about two miles, is a very posh little village called Woburn.  While Woburn is a very small place, it holds some incredible beauties.  I have driven through Woburn many times, walked there for the farmers market and been there for a festival, but I had not yet visited the famed Woburn Abbey.  It seems odd that I've traveled many a miles to see attractions all around the country and not yet made it to an attraction practically in my backyard!  Part of this is because, well, I was off seeing attractions all over the country, and partly because I knew people would be coming to visit me and that Woburn Abbey might be a place I could take "tourists" rather than go alone.

I'm sorry today was my first visit, but thanks to the annual pass that my parents bought me after our visit today, I know it will not be my last visit!  Woburn Abbey is set in the center of over 3,000 acres surrounded by a huge brick fence all the way around.  Inside the walls of this great estate, you'll find a safari park (which I have not yet visited), well-kept gardens, an antique shop, a tea room, an unfathomably large home (which is not open during the winter months) and thousands of deer.  Yes, deer.  Woburn Abbey is a deer sanctuary where there are a large number of different types of deer.  Apparently one type of deer that now roams the grounds was near extension before the Earl of Bedford decided to breed the deer there.  The grounds were beautifully kept, but it is also obvious that deer roam freely.  Ducks, herons and swans enjoy diving to the bottom of the shallow ponds that are also well kept.

The home was given by Henry VIII to the first Earl of Bedford over 400 years ago and it is still lived in by the Duke of Bedford.  As we were walking around today, my parents commented that it is now easier to see that people did (and even do still) live like the characters we love so much in Downton Abbey!

Supposedly one of the Duchesses of Bedfordshire invented "afternoon tea" and so what better place o teach my parents about afternoon tea than the Duchesses' Tea Room.  When I had first heard of "afternoon tea," I was not all too excited.  I don't really like tea, so why would it be of interest to me?  I could not have been more wrong.  Rather than tea, I drink hot chocolate, but the enjoyment doesn't stop there.  At afternoon tea, you are brought a three-tiered serving piece with dainty sandwiches on the bottom, then a layer of sweet breads (such as scones served with clotted cream and jam) and the layer on top, which is meant to be eaten last, is the dessert layer.  It was a marvelous treat and I was glad to introduce my parents to this delightful British tradition!

We thoroughly enjoyed our time walking the grounds at Woburn, seeing the regal deer and wandering the streets of the village.  I'm eager to see the inside of the house and see what the grounds look like as spring arrives!  There were even a few, wee little signs of spring today!