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The restoration of Priory House has been made possible through a significant partnership between Dunstable Town Council, Historic England, The National Lottery Heritage Fund and the government Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). Collectively the partnership has secured the investment needed to safeguard one of Dunstable's most important heritage assets for future generations.
The restoration of Priory House was not funded through one single grant, but through a phased programme of investment that developed as the full scale of the building’s conservation needs became understood.
Priory House, a Grade II* listed building and home to a rare 13th-century medieval Undercroft, was placed on Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register following years of structural and environmental challenges, including damp, flooding and deterioration of the historic stonework. Extensive conservation work was required to protect and preserve the building’s unique heritage.
The journey began with Priory House being identified as the flagship project within the Dunstable High Street Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ), a national initiative designed to help historic high streets thrive by investing in their heritage. Through this programme, Dunstable Town Council worked alongside Historic England and other partners.
Over time, further funding was secured to enable the restoration programme to expand. A major milestone came in 2023 when Historic England and The National Lottery Heritage Fund announced an additional £1.2 million package of support to continue the restoration and conservation works. This investment helped fund further repairs to the medieval vaults, improvements to visitor facilities and the revitalisation of exhibition spaces within the building.
The project ultimately grew into a restoration programme valued at nearly £5 million, bringing together funding from Historic England (£1.13 million) which included the government funding delivered through Historic England’s successful Heritage Action Zone initiative, The National Lottery Heritage Fund (£3.29 million) and Dunstable Town Council (£537,507).
With the support of these funding partners, Priory House is being transformed from a building at risk into a thriving heritage destination. The project demonstrates the power of partnership working and a shared commitment to protecting Dunstable’s rich history while creating a sustainable future for one of the town’s most treasured landmarks.
A special acknowledgement also goes to the Friends of Priory House and Gardens, whose continued fundraising and support demonstrates the important role the local community plays in protecting and enhancing Dunstable’s heritage. The Friends raised nearly £14,000 towards the new pergola in Priory Gardens, alongside their ongoing work to support, promote and preserve Priory House and its historic surroundings.
