House and Garden

Chenies Manor was built in 1460 consisting of an embattled tower with two wings adjoining a medieval hall.  It is one of the earliest recorded domestic brick buildings in England.  In the late 15 Century it passed into the Russell family, who subsequently became the Earls and Dukes of Bedford.

The family remained at Chenies Manor entertaining Henry VIII and Elizabeth I until they decided to renovate Woburn Abbey and moved their family seat in 1625.  It passed to the Macleod Matthews family in the 1950’s and they are the first family since the 17 Century to live in the house as a whole.

The house is of huge historic importance and our knowledgeable guides would be delighted to show you round and share its stories with you.