Willington Dovecote And Stable In Bedford

Opening Times:
By Appointment and
Last Sunday of the Month 10am-5pm

Address:
21 Chapel Lane
Willington, Nr. Bedford MK44 3QG
Bedfordshire

Phone: 01480 301494

URL: http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/

Type of Attraction: Aviary and Stable

There are many people who are quite keen on observing the ways of the pigeons, which are among the most common birds that you can find in Europe. As such, the Willington Dovecote and Stable is among the attractions in the area of Bedford that attract quite a number of visitors.

The distinctive stone dovecote and stable in Willington, dates back to the 13th century. It is internally lined with boxes to be used for nesting by the more than 1,500 pigeons that flock to the area. The buildings that house these nesting boxes are believed to be the remains of a historical manor that was probably built using some of the stones that were taken from the local priories after the Monasteries were dissolved. Aside from the pigeons, the dovecote is also the nesting site of kestrels and barn owls. These nesting structures allegedly hold the graffiti signature of John Bunyan himself.

The historical buildings turned nesting site are usually opened only by appointments. However, now it is opened every last Sunday afternoon of the month, and during the months of April to September. If you want to visit the dovecote and stable besides outside of these times, you can write or call for an appointment with the voluntary custodian of the nesting site.