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The layout of Woburn before partial demolition.

The west front of Woburn Abbey, as seen approaching the house.

The east side of the Abbey, looking into the former central courtyard.

Woburn Abbey, near Woburn, Bedfordshire, England, is the seat of the Duke of Bedford and the location of the Woburn Safari Park.

Woburn Abbey was given to John Russell by Henry VIII and became the seat of the Duke of Bedford, head of the Russell Family. The Abbey was largely rebuilt by the architects Henry Flitcroft and Henry Holland for the 4th Duke in the 18th century. Anna Maria, the wife of the 7th Duke, originated the afternoon tea ritual in 19th century England.

Following World War II, dry rot had been discovered and half the Abbey was subsequently demolished. When the 12th Duke died in 1953, his son the 13th Duke was exposed to heavy death duties and the Abbey was a half-demolished, half-derelict house. Instead of handing the family estates over to the National Trust, he kept ownership and opened the Abbey to the public for the first time in 1955. It soon gained in popularity as other amusements were added, including Woburn Safari Park on the grounds of the Abbey in 1970. Asked about the unfavourable comments by other aristocrats when he turned the family home into a safari park, the 13th Duke said, "I do not relish the scorn of the peerage, but it is better to be looked down on than overlooked."

The 13th Duke moved to Monte Carlo in the 1970s. His son Robin, who enjoyed the courtesy title Marquess of Tavistock, ran the Abbey with his wife the Marchioness in his father's absence.

In 1970, Lucio Fulci filmed scenes for A Lizard in a Woman's Skin there. In May, 1973, scenes from Coronation Street were set there and featured a cameo from the 13th Duke. He played himself greeting the characters: one of them, Hilda Ogden, was very impressed with the 'Canney-Letty' (sic) room.

In the early 1990s, the Marquess and the Tussauds Group planned to turn the Abbey into a large theme park with the help of John Wardley, creator of the roller coasters "Nemesis" and "Oblivion". However, Tussauds bought Alton Towers and built one there instead.

In the 1990s, the Marquess and the Marchioness, the former Henrietta Joan Tiarks, featured in the BBC series "Country House", detailing the life and running of the Abbey.

The Marquess of Tavistock became the 14th Duke on the death of his father in November 2002 in Santa Fe, New Mexico, United States. The 14th Duke was the briefest holder of the Dukedom and died in June 2003.

His son Andrew became the 15th Duke on his father's death and continues his father's work in running the Woburn Abbey Estate.

• Woburn Place and Woburn Square in London

• Official website
• Map sources for Woburn Abbey

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Woburn Abbey