Woburn Abbey, occupying the east of the village of Woburn, Bedfordshire, England, is a country house, the family seat of the Duke of Bedford. Although it is still a family home to the current duke, it is open on specified days to visitors, along with the diverse estate surrounding it, including the historic landscape gardens and deer park, as well as more recently added attractions including Woburn Safari Park, a miniature railway and a garden/visitor centre. It was built by William Russell, 1st Baron Russell of Thornhaugh.
Duke of Bedford is a title that has been created six times in the Peerage of England. The first creation came in 1414 for Henry IV's third son, John, who later served as regent of France. In 1433 he surrendered the title and it was re-granted to him. The title became extinct on his death in 1435. The third creation came in 1470 in favour of George Neville, nephew of Warwick the Kingmaker. He was deprived of the title by Act of Parliament in 1478. The fourth creation came in 1478 in favour of George, the third son of Edward IV. He died the following year at the age of two. The fifth creation came in 1485 in favour of Jasper Tudor, half-brother of Henry VI and uncle of Henry VII. He had already been created Earl of Pembroke in 1452. However, as he was a Lancastrian, his title was forfeited between 1461 and 1485 during the predominance of the House of York. He regained the earldom in 1485 when his nephew Henry VII came to the throne and was elevated to the dukedom the same year. He had no legitimate children and the titles became extinct on his death in 1495.
(Henry) Robin Ian Russell, 14th Duke of Bedford was a British peer, stockbroker and animal conservationist. He became well known to the public by appearing in three series of the BBC reality television programme Country House. During his childhood he was styled by the courtesy title Lord Howland, one of his grandfather's lesser titles, and from 1953 and for most of his adult life was styled by the courtesy title Marquess of Tavistock, his father's senior subsidiary title, and as he survived his father by only 7+1⁄2 months, he himself held the dukedom for that short period during 2002–2003.
Andrew Ian Henry Russell, 15th Duke of Bedford is a British peer and landowner. His main estate is based at Woburn Abbey in Bedfordshire. He ranked 210 on the 2024 Sunday Times Rich List with an estimated fortune of £801 million.
John Russell, 6th Duke of Bedford,, known as Lord John Russell until 1802, was a British Whig politician who notably served as Lord Lieutenant of Ireland in the Ministry of All the Talents. He was the father of Prime Minister John Russell, 1st Earl Russell.
Anna Maria Russell, Duchess of Bedford was a lifelong friend of Queen Victoria, whom she served as a Lady of the Bedchamber between 1837 and 1841.
George William Francis Sackville Russell, 10th Duke of Bedford DL was a British peer and politician. He was the son of Francis Russell, 9th Duke of Bedford and Lady Elizabeth Sackville-West.
Herbrand Arthur Russell, 11th Duke of Bedford, was an English politician and peer. He was the son of Francis Russell, 9th Duke of Bedford, and his wife Lady Elizabeth Sackville-West, daughter of George Sackville-West, 5th Earl De La Warr. A noted naturalist, he is considered to be the chief importer of the invasive grey squirrel species to Britain.
John Ian Robert Russell, 13th Duke of Bedford, styled Lord Howland until 1940, and styled Marquess of Tavistock from 1940 until 1953, was a writer and a British peer. As a businessman, the Duke and J. Chipperfield founded Woburn Safari Park, a commercial addition and expansion of the tourist business of Woburn Abbey, the family seat.
Mary Du Caurroy Russell, Duchess of Bedford, was a British aviator and ornithologist. She was honoured for her work in founding hospitals and working in them during the First World War. She later financed and took part in record breaking flights to Karachi and Cape Town.
Diana Russell, Duchess of Bedford, was a member of the Spencer family, chiefly remembered because of an unsuccessful attempt to arrange a marriage for her with Frederick, Prince of Wales.
Nicole Russell, Duchess of Bedford was one of the first female television producers in France. After becoming the Duchess of Bedford, she helped to open and popularize one of the first Stately homes to the public - Woburn Abbey. She was also a best-selling author.
Joan Barry was a British actress, whose career straddled the development of talkies.
Louisa Jane Hamilton, Duchess of Abercorn was a member of the British aristocracy. She and her husband, James Hamilton, 1st Duke of Abercorn, had 13 children, and were "long remembered as the most handsome and most distinguished young couple of their generation."
Hunting is a popular recreational pursuit and a tourist activity in New Zealand with numerous books and magazines published on the topic. Unlike most other developed countries with a hunting tradition, there are no bag-limits or seasons for hunting large game in New Zealand. Hunting in national parks is a permitted activity. The wide variety of game animals and the limited restrictions means hunting is a popular pastime which has resulted in a high level of firearms ownership among civilians.
Elizabeth Thynne, Marchioness of Bath, was a British courtier and the wife of Thomas Thynne, 1st Marquess of Bath. From 1761 to 1793, she was a Lady of the Bedchamber to Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, queen consort of King George III of the United Kingdom. In 1793, as Dowager Marchioness, she became Mistress of the Robes and held that position until the Queen's death in 1818.
Gertrude Russell, Duchess of Bedford, formerly the Hon. Gertrude Leveson-Gower, was the second wife of John Russell, 4th Duke of Bedford. She was the eldest daughter of John Leveson-Gower, 1st Earl Gower, and his wife, the former Lady Evelyn Pierrepont. She married the Duke of Bedford on 2 April 1737.
Duchess of Bedford is a title given to the wife of the Duke of Bedford, an extant title in the peerage of England which was first created in 1414.
Anne Russell, Duchess of Bedford, formerly Lady Anne Egerton, was the wife of Wriothesley Russell, 3rd Duke of Bedford, and, following his death, of William Villiers, 3rd Earl of Jersey. She was the mother of the 4th Earl of Jersey.
Georgiana Russell, Duchess of Bedford, formerly Lady Georgiana Gordon, was a British aristocrat, patron of the arts and wife of John Russell, 6th Duke of Bedford.
