The Bedfordshire town of Dunstable can trace its origins back to Roman times and the building of Watling Street, which crossed the ancient Icknield Way at the point where Dunstable stands today. The Romans also constructed a posting station where travellers could change their horses, and a market town called Durocobrivis developed at the crossroads. When the Romans left Britain, Durocobrivis was abandoned and it wasn’t until 1109 that Henry I created a new town here and subsequently added a royal residence and a priory.
Although wool cloth was once Dunstable’s main industry, it was later replaced by straw-hat manufacturing, brewing and lace-making. Despite its small size it was also an important stage-coaching town. At the end of the nineteenth century, new industries arrived including printing and engineering, and when the railway reached the town in 1848 the population and building development increased. The twentieth century brought further expansion and growth with industries such as Vauxhall Motors.
In ‘Dunstable in 50 Buildings’, author Paul Rabbitts focuses on the architectural heritage of the town from across the centuries. From almshouse to windmill and ancient road to shopping centre a fascinating variety of structures and landmarks are featured, with each one revealing the history and development of the town and the changing way of life for local people.
Illustrated throughout, this engaging and accessible portrait of Dunstable’s architectural history will be of interest to residents, visitors and local historians.