The name Haynes is first attested in the Domesday Book of 1086, as Hagenes. This derives from an Old English word hagen meaning 'enclosure', in its plural form.

Haynes is a small village, civil parish and former manor, located in Bedfordshire, England, about seven miles (11 km) south of Bedford. It includes the small hamlet of Haynes Church End. It used to be known as Hawnes. North from Haynes is a hamlet named Silver End, then further up is Herrings Green, Cotton End and Shortstown. There is a pub, "The Greyhound", a shop, a post office, a village hall and a Lower School.

In 1730 the philosopher John Gay became Vicar of Wilshamstead (later adding the living of Haynes).

Haynes or Hwanes Manor belonged to Sir Robert Newdigate, who died in 1613, and King James was a regular visitor. James came to Haynes on 22 July 1615. The next day he heard that his brother-in-law Christian IV was with his wife Anne of Denmark in London at Denmark House, and he raced back riding through a hail storm.

Haynes manor was acquired in about 1667 by Vice Admiral Sir George Carteret, 1st Baronet (c.1610-1680) of Jersey.

The present mansion of Haynes Park was built c.1725 by his son John Carteret, 2nd Earl Granville.