Hardwick Preceptory was a priory of the
Knights Hospitaller from 1279 to 1489. The first mention of this property occurs in 1279. In 1287, and 1330, the Prior claimed to hold a view of frankpledge from four tenants in Kempston. In 1338, this estate comprised a messuage with a garden worth 4s. per annum, a dovehouse valued at 3s. 4d., a water-mill 26s. 8d., 370 acres of land worth £6 3s. 4d., 32 acres meadow worth 44s., 8 acres of pasture worth 8s., and pasture for 200 oxen worth 20s. After the Dissolution, the property, called the manor of Hardwick, was bestowed upon Sir Richard Longe in 1540.
Elizabeth I gave the manor and mansion of Kempston Hardwick to her gentlewoman
Elizabeth Snowe in March 1560. Kempston Hardwick was part of the ancient parish of Kempston. In 1894 the parish became part of
Bedford Rural District. In 1896 the parish was divided, with the town of Kempston forming
Kempston Urban District and the rest of the parish becoming a new parish called
Kempston Rural. In 1937 a new
parish of
Stewartby was created that included Kempston Hardwick. Kempston Hardwick is the confirmed location for the upcoming
Universal United Kingdom theme park. == See also ==