Centre North Block Of Bloomsbury Stud, Forming Part Of Park Farm Complex

The Centre North Block of Bloomsbury Stud, part of the Park Farm complex, consists of former cow houses built for Park Farm. This model farm was initiated in 1795 by Robert Salmon, who was the resident architect and 'mechanist' for the estate, commissioned by Francis, the 5th Duke of Bedford. This particular block was constructed slightly later and is not depicted in George Garrard's painting of Woburn Sheep Shearing from 1804, which likely represents a scene from around 1801.

The building is made of coursed ironstone and features slate roofs. It is a low, single-storey structure arranged around a small rectangular yard, with the main elevation facing east. The design is in a rustic Neo-classical style. The eastern elevation is symmetrical, featuring a central gable that slightly projects and rises two storeys, flanked by single-storey gables at each end. The central gable includes an elliptical-arched recess with a 4-light window, above which is a round-arched window. An impost string course aligns with the eaves of the single-storey wings, each of which has two 3-light windows. All windows, except for the one on the first floor, are casements adorned with ornamental geometric glazing bars, likely from around 1830. The outer gables each have a plank door, and the building has deep eaves and verges with moulded timber cornices, along with louvred ridge ventilators on the roofs.

The 5th and 6th Dukes were keen on estate management and agricultural advancements. Park Farm was designed to showcase new agricultural technology and served as the venue for the annual Woburn Sheep Shearing.