Set in a beautiful 3,000 acre deer park, Woburn Abbey has been the home of the Russell Family for nearly 400 years, and is now occupied by the 15th Duke of Bedford and his family. Admired as one of the world’s finest private collections of art, there are many famous paintings by Cuyp, Gainsborough, Reynolds and Van Dyck. The Abbey houses the largest private collection in the world of Venetian views painted by Canaletto in one room (photograph below). The tour of the Abbey covers three floors, including the vaults, with 18th century furniture, silver and gold collections, a wide range of porcelain and many items treasured by the Russell family throughout the centuries on display. Amongst the highlights are a selection of pieces from the Sevres dinner service presented to the 4th Duke by King Louis XV. The Deer Park is home to ten species of deer, including the Pere David, descended from the Imperial Herd of China, which was saved from extinction at Woburn and is now the largest breeding herd of this species outside china. In 1985 the 14th Duke gave 22 Pere David deer to the People’s Republic of China and herds are now well established in their natural environment and numbers several thousand. Wobum Abbey specialises in banqueting, conferences, receptions and company days; and the Sculpture Gallery overlooking the Private Gardens provides a splendid setting for weddings and wedding receptions for groups of 20 to over 1,000. 2011 will see a number of events in the Park including Craft Fairs and a variety of musical and open air theatrical performances.