Facts and places of interest in Kempston

Interesting Facts about Kempston

• In A.D.885, Kempston was situated within King Alfred's territory of Wessex.

• 27th February 1826 was the night of the great fire of Kempston which destroyed 40 houses in the High Street including part ot the King William Public House.

• 4th April 1829 Matthew and William Lilley were hanged at Bedford Gaol for the murder of a gamekeeper. They were poaching for food for their families.

• The Domesday Book calls Kempston 'Camestone'.

• William the Conqueror gave Kempston to his niece, the Countess Judith de Balliol after the Conquest. Unfortunately Judith is best remembered for her treachery against her husband when he was unjustly tried and executed for treason.

Places of Interest in and around Kempston

Kempston Outdoor Centre

The Kepston Outdoor Centre offers climing, abseiling, canoeing, high ropes, kayaking and archery.

Wood End, Kempston

Wood End is situated on a clay ridge in the Marston Vale. It is one of the few ancient semi natural woods of any size left in the Marston Vale Community Forest area.

Anglo Saxon Cemetery

A very large and important Anglo-Saxon cemetery was found in Kempston in 1863 and many finds were made between the 1850s and 1880s.  The finds have included a tall green drinking glass, beads, bracelets, ornaments, tools and weapons. One grave had pieces of crystal and fine glass, a carbuncle set in gold casing and a necklace of over a hundred beads.

Moot Hall - located close to Kempston in Elstow

Moot Hall is located on the village green at Elstow and was built originally to serve Elstow Abbey as a market house. This timber ramed market hall is now a museum and exhibits antique furniture and shows the life and traditions of England in the 17th Century.