Moot Hall, Elstow

Image: © Robin Drayton Taken: 15 May 2008

An information board states: Moot Hall is a timber framed building constructed in the late 15th century with red brick infilling and a clay roof. The upper floor is jettied on three sides supported by diagonal 'dragon beams' projecting at the two western corners. Originally it consisted of four bays but a further bay and external brick chimney were added to the eastern end in the late 16th century. Six shops once occupied the western part of the ground floor. The open upper hall running the full length of the building was originally used as a court and meeting room. During the 19th century the hall was used as a place of worship by non-conformists and as a school room. Moot Hall is now a museum containing both a collection of 16th and 17th century furniture and items relating to the life and works of John Bunyan who was born in Elstow parish and lived there for part of his life. http://www.discoverbedfordshire.co.uk/article.php?id=91&issueopen=2

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