Towns in Central Bedfordshire

Leighton Buzzard

Population: 43,200

Located in the west of Central Bedfordshire, bordering Buckinghamshire, Leighton Buzzard lies 11 miles west of the M1 motorway at Junction 11A, 4.5 miles west of Hockcliffe on the A5 trunk road and 8 miles south of Bletchley, Milton Keynes. Leighton Buzzard’s train station is situated on the West Coast Main Line with non-stop trains into London Euston in under 30mins. The Grand Union Canal and River Ouzel both run through the town.

It’s believed that Leighton Buzzard dates back to 571 AD and has since developed into a thriving market town with the town’s market charter granted in 1086 and still active today. The historic town centre boasts over 70 listed buildings, the now demolished site of a World War II codebreaking facility similar to nearby Bletchley Park and just outside the town is the Bridego Bridge made famous by the Great Train Robbery of 1963.

Schools: Eight lower schools, four middle schools and two upper schools.

Central Bedfordshire presents a mix of vibrant market towns, offering residents a wealth of arts, sport, culture and history. The following pages feature some of it’s prominent towns by population and connectivity, however the list is not exhaustive. To find out more about other town and ward profiles in Central Bedfordshire visit: centralbedfordshire.communityinsight.org

Dunstable

Population: 41,100

Located in the south of Central Bedfordshire, Dunstable borders Luton to its west and Houghton Regis to its north. Via the A5 and A505 trunk roads, the town has dual carriageway connections to the M1 motorway at Junctions 11 and 11A to its west, which can be reached in less than 10 mins.

The old Roman roads of Watling Street and Icknield Way are still used today as key thoroughfares in this old market town, dating back to pre-Roman times. To the southwest of the town, the Dunstable Downs and their chalk and grassland areas have been designated as a Site of Specific Scientific Interest (SSSI). 2021 saw completion of the £20m new combined Leisure Centre and Library providing state of the art fitness facilities, a professionally staffed lending library, Citizens Advice Service and creche.

Schools: Eight lower/primary schools, one middle school and three upper/secondary schools.

Biggleswade

Population: 22,100

Located to the north east of Central Bedfordshire, Biggleswade lies on the River Ivel, approximately 11 miles southeast of Bedford with the A1 trunk road running along its western boundary. The town has a railway station with regular Thameslink trains into London and Great Northern trains into Peterborough.

This historic market town dates back to Anglo Saxon times and can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086. The town centre is designated as a conservation area and is a lively hub of independent shops, cafes, and pubs whilst a large retail park just to the south of the town offers easy access to national retailers.

Schools: Four lower schools, two middle schools, one upper school and a school for pupils with additional needs.

Houghton Regis

Population: 19,800

Located to the south of Central Bedfordshire, Houghton Regis neighbours Dunstable to its south. A dual carriageway links to the M1 motorway at Junction 11A to its east (approximately 2 miles) and the A5 trunk road to Milton Keynes (approximately 18 miles) to its west.

Houghton Regis is mentioned in the Domesday Book where it was called Houstone. By the 11th century, much of the surrounding area had become royal land hence the name Houghton Regis. Today, the town boasts the hidden gem, Houghton Hall Park with 42 acres of parkland, woodland and a modern, community focused visitors centre.

Schools: Six primary schools, three secondary schools and a school for pupils with additional needs.

Image credit bottom left: Tye Architects

Flitwick

Population: 13,800

Centrally located within Central Bedfordshire, Flitwick lies approximately 4 miles north of the M1 motorway at Junction 12 and 5 miles east of the A6 trunk road. The town has the busiest train station on the Thameslink line in relation to the size of the town. Trains run regularly to St Pancras with journey times of approx 50 mins.

Flitwick is mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086 as “a hamlet on the River Flitt”. Today, it boasts a modern, state of the art sports centre, grass tennis courts, skateboard park, regular shuttle buses to nearby Centre Parcs, Woburn, and a busy town centre. The nearby River Flit runs through Flitwick Moor, a Site of Specific Scientific Interest (SSSI).

Schools: Three lower schools and one middle school. Pupils use the upper school in neighbouring Ampthill.

Ampthill

Population: 8,800

Situated to the north of Central Bedfordshire, Ampthill is located along the A507, which links to the M1 motorway at Junction 13 to the west and the A1 trunk road to the east.

This historic Georgian market town has a weekly charter market that has run for over 800 years. The town hosts a variety of events throughout the year including an open-air music festival, a literary festival, Aragon Day and regular food and drink festivals/events.

Schools: Two lower schools, one middle school and one upper school.

Central Bedfordshire offers breathtaking countryside and beautiful, historic markets towns and villages

Image credit: Dunstable Downs