John Bunyan

There is lots of information about Bunyan and his family in our History archives - click here

Bunyan's Birthplace

John Bunyan was born on 28 November 1628 in a cottage in Elstow, a village on the southern outskirts of Bedford.
The site, known as 'Bunyan's End', was located about half-way between the hamlet of Harrowden and Elstow's main thoroughfare, now known as the High Street.

Although the cottage no longer exists, a large granite stone marks the site.

We have created a map to help youto find the site;

The commemorative stone is not actually visible from the unmade road (called Bumpy Lane) so here is a bit more help. Once you set off along the field to the west of Bumpy Lane, you will see that, half a mile ahead, the hedgerow juts out into the field - see photo number one. The birthplace stone is just behind that outcrop - see photos two and three.

Civil War.

Here are photos of the Newport Pagnell Parliamentary Army Muster Roll, which clearly shows John Bunyan's name.
This document is written on hide which has blackened with age, whilst the ink on it has become light, producing what looks like a photographic negative. So, to make the text a little easier to read, we have added an actual negative version.
The original document is held at the Record Office in Ayelsbury, Buckinghamshire.

Photo of the original, written on hide, blackened with time.

Bunyan Meeting Church, Bedford - The Pilgrim's Progress windows
These photographs are copyright and are reproduced here with the permission of Bunyan Meeting Church, Museum and Library.

Bunyan Christian Fellowship, Elstow. Painted Windows

The chapel's Pilgrim's Progress window was fully restored in 2021/22.
Elstow professional photographer Sameena Jarosz kindly created these new photographs in May 2022.