42-535: Woburn Abbey ( / ˈ w oʊ b ər n / ), 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 (by Humphry Repton ), as well as more recently added attractions including Woburn Safari Park ,
84-570: A 33% stake, along with British Airways and Marks Barfield . The site was managed by Tussauds and soon became one of the United Kingdom's most popular attractions. Tussauds continued to look for acquisitions in Europe and in 2002 opted to buy Heide Park in Soltau, Germany . The park was among the country's largest, and helped to make Tussauds one of the most popular attraction groups. In
126-467: A Tussauds attraction after the buyout. This sector expanded quickly throughout the year with the purchase of Warwick Castle . Poor profits at Chessington Zoo led the group to reopen the site as Chessington World of Adventures . This incorporated the animals from the zoo alongside the theme park. This combination enabled visitor figures to triple. In 1989, the Tussauds Group sold Wookey Hole. In
168-506: A crypt beneath, which was originally intended as the burial place of the Dukes of Bedford and their family. In the end the dukes continued to use the ancient mausoleum at St Michael's, Chenies , and the crypt of St Mary's parish church in Woburn is now used for events and meetings. The hatch through which coffins would have been lowered into the crypt is still visible. Woburn Cottage Hospital
210-552: A miniature railway and a garden/visitor centre. It was built by William Russell, 1st Baron Russell of Thornhaugh . Woburn Abbey, comprising Woburn Park and its buildings, was set out and founded as a Cistercian abbey in 1145. The Cistercian community was dissolved by Henry VIII in 1538. In 1547 the estate became the seat of the Russell family and the Dukes of Bedford , Around 1630, Francis Russell, 4th Earl of Bedford undertook
252-527: A separate entity ceased to exist. About the merger, the chief executive of Merlin Entertainment , Nick Varney, said that the combination of the two groups, as well as their audiences, would place the new company in the global market. He also believed that both groups expertise in the management business would benefit the company too. Peter Phillipson, the chief executive of the Tussauds group added that
294-463: A statement, the company said that it had offered to buy out the other two shareholders in 2003, and again in 2004, believing that one primary shareholder would be able to negotiate better terms on their debt repayments. In November 2005, the company bought British Airways’ stake in the London Eye for £95 million. The other shareholder, Marks Barfield, also offered to buy British Airways' stake but
336-677: Is a Grade I listed building . The art collection of the Duke of Bedford is extensive and encompasses a wide range of western artwork. The holdings comprise some 250 paintings, including works by Rubens, Van Dyck, Canaletto and Velasquez. Moreover, the collection encompasses examples of the finest manufacturers of furniture, French and English in many periods, and a diverse collection of porcelain and silverware. Dutch School English School Flemish School French School German School Italian School Spanish School Attribution: Woburn, Bedfordshire Woburn ( / ˈ w oʊ b ər n / , meaning twisted or crooked stream)
378-599: Is a town and civil parish in Bedfordshire , England , about 5 miles (8 km) southeast of Milton Keynes and 3 miles (5 km) south of junction 13 of the M1 motorway . At the 2011 census, it had a population of 933. Woburn was first recorded as a hamlet in 969 and is listed in the Domesday Book of 1086. It is best known as the location of Woburn Abbey (a stately home ) and Woburn Safari Park . The abbey
420-668: The English Civil War , the Cavaliers burned down much of the town and in 1724 a third fire destroyed much of the town, which was rebuilt in the Georgian style that remains today. During the nineteenth century, Woburn was an important staging post on the London – Newport Pagnell – Northampton turnpike . The town had 27 inns and the first 24-hour post office outside London. However, with Woburn being bypassed by (what became)
462-597: The West Coast Main Line and the Grand Union canal (north–south) and the Varsity Line (east–west), Woburn's location ceased to be so significant. The population fell from 2,100 in 1851 to 700 about a century later. Woburn Town Hall , designed by Edward Blore , was completed in 1830. Under the 8th Duke of Bedford , a new parish church was completed in Woburn in 1868. It was equipped with
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#1732780669265504-694: 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. From 1999 to 2002, the Marquess and the Marchioness, the former Henrietta Joan Tiarks, were the subjects of the Tiger Aspect Productions reality series Country House in three series, totalling 29 episodes, which aired on BBC Two . It detailed
546-542: The British Isles with her work as she was prevented from returning to France due to the war between Britain and France. After travelling with her models, Tussauds bought her first property in London's Baker Street in 1835, for the purpose of displaying her wax figures. The large property allowed her to display the exhibits that she used on tour as well as create new models and exhibitions. Marie Tussaud died in 1850 and
588-408: The London Eye, hoping to buy out British Airways. In 2004, one of the shareholders of the London Eye, Marks Barfield , accused the Tussauds group of purposefully opposing a refinancing offer in order to gain full control of the wheel. The attraction made a trading profit, but the company had 25% interest payments on a debt that arose from a £56 million loan from British Airways in 1999. By this point
630-519: The United Kingdom. There is a Met Office weather station in Woburn. Recorded temperature extremes range from 39.6 °C (103.3 °F) during July 2022, to as low as −20.6 °C (−5.1 °F) on 25 February 1947; this is the lowest temperature ever reported in England in February. In 2010, the temperature fell to −16.3 °C (2.7 °F) The Tussauds Group The Tussauds Group
672-468: The area. After visiting them Adams wrote in his diary " Stowe , Hagley , and Blenheim , are superb; Woburn, Caversham , and the Leasowes are beautiful. Wotton is both great and elegant, though neglected". However he was also damning about the means used to finance the large estates, and he did not think that the embellishments to the landscape made by the owners of the great country houses would suit
714-540: The business was left to her two sons. Her grandchildren then moved the business to a permanent residence in Marylebone Road . In 1926, Madame Tussauds became a limited company. In the 1960s, Tussauds was looking to expand beyond the United Kingdom and opened their first international exhibition in Amsterdam. This exhibition featured different wax figures to those on show in London. The Dutch exhibition moved to
756-534: The company in 2007, thus becoming the world's second largest leisure group after Disney . The physician, Philippe Curtius began to create organs and biological structures from wax. After creating organs, Curtius went on to recreate notable people in society out of the medium too. Curtius put these models on display to the public in Berne, Switzerland where they caught the attention of the French royal family. In 1765,
798-570: The company liked Hong Kong's location and established a permanent exhibition in the Peak Tower. The Tussauds group moved into the European market in 1995, with a 40% stake in a new £300 million theme park, Port Aventura in Spain . Tussauds was in charge of the development as they were the primary shareholder. The new development quickly bought in 2.7 million new visitors annually. The 40% stake
840-597: The company to look for another exhibition location in the United States. In 2000, the company opened a site in New York on 42nd Street. In 1999, after being part of Pearson for twenty years, Charterhouse Development Capital acquired the group. The new company bought in new management and sought to increase profits whilst continuing the company's growth. In 2000, the London Eye launched, in which Tussauds had
882-705: The daily life and the business of running 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. On the death of the 14th Duke, his son Andrew became the 15th Duke, and he continues his father's work in running the Woburn Abbey Estate. The building
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#1732780669265924-455: The debt had accumulated to be around £130 million. David Marks, the director at Marks Barfield , said that British Airways supported the idea of refinancing the London Eye but the Tussauds group blocked the deal at every opportunity. Marks went on to comment that without a refinancing deal the London Eye would not have long-term financial security in the future as it would not be able to develop as an attraction. The company also went on to say that
966-501: 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 and in its first ten years, it had ticket sales of $ 11 million, helping to pay off much of the death duties. 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
1008-400: 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 1975. His son Robin , who enjoyed the courtesy title Marquess of Tavistock, ran the Abbey with his wife in his father's absence. In the early 1990s, the Marquess and The Tussauds Group planned to turn
1050-419: The first rebuilding, demolishing or incorporating original abbey building and built the manor house on the monastic site, although the name Abbey was retained. The second rebuilding occurred under architects Henry Flitcroft and John Sanderson between 1747 and 1761. In April 1786 John Adams and Thomas Jefferson , both future Presidents of the United States, visited Woburn Abbey and other notable houses in
1092-722: The latter chose the Tussauds group as they felt that their offer was more beneficial for the company's shareholders. In February 2006, the group began negotiations to buy the final 33% of the attraction from Marks Barfield for up to £80 million. In 2005, the Tussauds group was sold to Dubai International Capital , a branch of the government that deals with investment, for £800 million ($ 1.5 billion). In May 2007, The Blackstone Group purchased The Tussauds Group for US$ 1.9 billion and merged it into Merlin Entertainments with management by Merlin. Dubai International Capital then held 20% of Merlin Entertainment. The Tussauds Group as
1134-530: The more central location of Dam Square in 1991. The company made its first acquisition with Wookey Hole Caves and Mill in Somerset and in 1976 bought Tolgus tin plant in Cornwall . In 1978, Madame Tussauds was acquired by S. Pearson and Son, now Pearson PLC . The company had been seeking to expand beyond their own attractions before acquiring the group. Chessington Zoo was already owned by Pearson and became
1176-581: The more rugged American countryside. Further rework undertaken between 1787 and 1790 was directed by Henry Holland . Visiting Woburn Abbey in March 1939, the MP and diarist Henry Channon described the well-kept-up "feudal magnificance" of the estate shortly before the outbreak of war. This included more than twenty drawing rooms, thirty cars and whole rooms devoted each to collections of Joshua Reynolds , Canalettos and Van Dyck paintings. From 1941 Woburn Abbey
1218-451: The new group would be able to help the developments of Tussauds theme parks and attractions as well as increase the number of Madame Tussauds around the world. On 17 July 2007, Madame Tussauds was sold to private investor Nick Leslau and his investment firm Prestbury under a sale and leaseback agreement. It is said that the company would be using the money from the sale for investment purposes and to pay off some outstanding debts. Although
1260-479: The nineties, with renovations costing £1 million. The increase in the group's attractions as well as management portfolio meant that in 1992 the company moved to larger headquarters. In 1997, Madame Tussauds reintroduced travelling exhibitions. The tour started in Melbourne, Australia, before moving on to Sydney. After touring Australia, the site travelled to Singapore in 1999 then on to Hong Kong in 2000. However,
1302-474: The royal family invited Curtius to display his exhibits in Paris. When moving to Paris, Curtius bought with him a housekeeper and her daughter, Marie Grosholtz , who Curtius then took on as an apprentice of his work. Under Curtius’ teaching, Marie became renowned for her modelling, completing portraits of Jean-Jacques Rousseau and Voltaire. This led to Marie being invited to the royal court at Versailles where she
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1344-429: The running costs of the London Eye and the large debt repayments prevented the company from making developments at the attraction that would cost £4 million. The company had hoped to redevelop a gift shop and the ticketing system at the London Eye but without refinancing it would not be able to complete them. The Tussauds group denied blocking any deals, in turn suggesting that no alternative methods had been put forward. In
1386-685: The same year, the company shut down the Rock Circus exhibition in the London Pavilion because of falling visitor figures. Charterhouse Development Capital allowed the company to invest £300 million into its attractions which helped increase profits by £185 million as of 2002. The Tussauds group launched a new £100 million investment plan which led to the development of a new £40 million themed hotel, at Alton Towers. The themed hotel, Splash Landings, opened in 2003. Tussauds and Charterhouse Development Capital then looked to increase its stake in
1428-465: The same year, they opened the Rock Circus in the London Pavilion which focused on a rock and roll theme. Several other small acquisitions were made before 1990. In 1990, the company bought Alton Towers for £60 million. The park had initially been developed as an American style amusement park but was in need of renovation by the end of the eighties. After Tussauds took over Alton Towers, it
1470-669: The walks and cycling opportunities afforded by the Estate and the local roads, Woburn lies across the routes of both the Greensand Ridge Walk and the Greensand Cycle Way . Woburn Golf Club , 2.5 miles (4.0 km) west of Woburn, has hosted the Women's British Open eleven times between 1984 and 2019. Woburn experiences an oceanic climate ( Köppen climate classification Cfb ) as is typical of almost all of
1512-863: Was an entertainment company which is now a part of Merlin Entertainments . It was based in Poole, Dorset from where it managed a portfolio of brands and over 50 attractions that included the Madame Tussauds waxworks , Legoland Theme Parks , Legoland Discovery Centres , Sea Life Centres , PortAventura Park in Spain, Gardaland in Italy, Heide Park Resort in Germany, The Dungeons, The London Eye , The Blackpool Tower attractions, The Orlando Eye , Warwick Castle , Alton Towers , Thorpe Park , and Chessington World of Adventures . Merlin Entertainments bought
1554-519: Was employed as a teacher. In 1795, Marie married François Tussaud with whom she had two sons. After the French Revolution in 1789, Marie continued her modelling and made death masks of her deceased ex-employers. Upon the death of Curtius in 1794, Marie inherited his estate, including his properties and his workshop. Overseas interest in the French Revolution led Marie Tussaud to travel to England and display her work there. Tussaud travelled
1596-576: Was established by Mary, the Duchess of Bedford (1865-1937) in 1898. The hospital remained open until at least 1935. Despite burning down three times in its history, the first permanent fire station was only recorded in 1823, situated in front of the Tudor School. The station moved in 1947 to purpose-built premises on Leighton Street. Today a modern fire station stands on London Road. Woburn has its own lido (outdoor swimming pool). In addition to
1638-467: Was founded by Cistercian monks in 1145 and granted to the first Earl of Bedford in 1538 after the dissolution of the monasteries . The town may have been called "Woburne Chapell" in Medieval times, in order to distinguish it from the abbey. Woburn has been burned down and rebuilt three times. A medieval chimney fire spread owing to the prevalence of thatched roofs and closely built houses. Then, during
1680-399: Was redeveloped into a theme park that intended to challenge the opening of Disneyland Paris . During the mid-nineties, the group continued to expand its theme parks with new attractions at both Warwick Castle and Alton Towers. The Alton Towers expansion included the introduction of the £20 million Alton Towers Hotel in 1996. The Madame Tussauds site in London also underwent development during
1722-596: Was sold in 1998 as the company looked to increase its portfolio in the United Kingdom. Tussauds’ management of Port Aventura ceased with the sale of the property. The money from the sale allowed the company to purchase Thorpe Park , in south-east England. In 1998, the group looked to open a Tussauds site in Las Vegas, with plans to open the exhibition in the Venetian Hotel and Casino complex. The Las Vegas site eventually opened in 1999 to large success, which led
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1764-458: Was the headquarters of the secretive Political Warfare Executive (PWE) which had its London offices at the BBC's Bush House . Following World War II , dry rot was discovered and half the Abbey was subsequently demolished. When the 12th Duke died in 1953, his son the 13th Duke was exposed to death duties of $ 14 million and the Abbey was a half-demolished, half-derelict house. Instead of handing
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