Facts and places of interest in Dunstable

Interesting Facts about Dunstable

• Did you know that the first ever play to be seen in England was written and performed in Dunstable by Geoffrey de Gorham in the 12th century. He staged it at Dunstable Priory.

• Did you know that Dunstable Priory was the scene of Henry VIII's divorce from Catherine of Aragon. It was here that Thomas Cranmer pronounced their marriage illegal.

• The Dunstable Downs are the highest point in Bedfordshire

• Gary Cooper the American actor famous for his appearance in Westerns actually went to the Ashton grammar school in Dunstable.

• Faye Tozer of Steps grew up in Dunstable.

Places of Interest in Dunstable

Dunstable Priory Church of St Peter

St Peter's was founded in 1131/1132 by Henry I and is a Grade I Listed Augustinian priory; the church is said to be one of the best examples of Norman architecture in England.

The Priory was later to be the scene of the annulment of King Henry VIII and Katherine of Aragon's mariage. This annulment led to the Church of England separating from the Roman Catholic Church.

The Grove Theatre

The Grove Theatre opened in April 2007 and is now the setting form many shows and performances in Dunstable.

Dunstable Downs

The Dunstable Downs are a chalk escarpment forming the north-eastern edge of the Chiltern Hills. The Dunstable Downs are 243m (797 ft) high and form the highest point of Bedfordshire. Due to the height of the hills Dunstable Downs had a station in the Shutter Telegraph chain which linked the Admiralty in London to the port of Great Yarmouth during 1808 - 1814.

Dunstable Downs are very popular for kite flying, hand gliding and paragliding due to the strong winds. London gliding Club also has a base at the foot of the hills where traditional gliding and air activities take off from.

Dunstable Downs are also home to a wide variety of wildlife including many rare wild flowers and butterfly species. The Dunstable Downs are managed by the National Trust.

Whipsnade Zoo

ZSL Whipsnade Zoo can be spotted from miles to the north from the B489 Aylesbury to Dunstable road and from the air because of its huge white chalk lion carved into the side of the Dunstable Downs. Whipsnade is one of Europe's largest wildlife conservation parks, covering 600 acres, and is home to over six thousand animals, many of which are endangered species in the wild. The majority of the animals are kept within sizeable enclosures; others roam freely around the park.

Due to the park's size visitors can spend the day walking around the park, use the Zoo's bus service or drive their own cars between the various animal enclosures or they can ride the narrow-gauge train.

Whipssnade is owned by the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) which is a charity devoted to conservation of animals and their habitats.

Whipsnade Tree Cathedral

Whipsnade Tree Cathedral is a 9.5 acre (38,000 m²) garden in the actual village of Whipsnade. It is planted in the approximate form of a cathedral, with grass avenues for nave, chancel, transept, chapels and cloisters and so called walls of different species of trees.