Millbrook
General History
Victoria County History of Bedfordshire

Millbrook > General History

Millbrook on account of its situation, lying as it does on a range of hills which intersect the parish, whose slopes are covered with woodlands, has been described as one of the most beautiful villages in England....

Nearly three-quarters of a mile to the north of the village, upon the brook from which it takes its name, a watermill formerly stood. The mill was demolished in the lifetime of the last owner, who died about the year 1840. Indentations in the ground give distinct evidence of the site of this mill and of an adjoining farm, which has also disappeared. An avenue of elm trees still marks the position of the entrance drive, Local tradition also records the existence of a windmill upon the top of one of the low hills to the northward.

The position of the church is very peculiar: it stands alone on an eminence said to be the original site of the cell of St. Albans, founded by Nigel de Wast, which was afterwards moved to Moddry and amalgamated with Beaulieu Priory. Below the church lies a tree clad valley, which tradition assigns as the spot pictured by Bunyan for his Valley of the Shadow of Death.

On three pillars placed against the western wall of the church are busts of Lord Holland, his wife and their daughter, who all three lie buried here.

Another celebrated person who lies buried at Millbrook is Allen, the man of letters, who lived with Lord and Lady Holland. He was one of that illustrious group of literary men who comprised what was then known as the 'Holland House set', and which included Lord Byron, Richard Brinsley Sheridan, Samuel Rogers and Lord Macaulay.

Page last updated: 3rd February 2014