About Central Bedfordshire

Central Bedfordshire lies in the heart of the county, covering some 712 square kilometres from Leighton Linslade and Dunstable in the west to Sandy and Arlesey in the east, and from Woburn to Whipsnade. The Chiltern Hills, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, form a major feature in the west including chalk scarp and downlands and the Greensand Ridge runs eastwards throughout the area. The Grand Union canal also passes through the area.

The area is diverse with picturesque villages, hamlets and historic market towns whilst, as one of the most rapidly growing unitary councils in England, it is planning for substantial additional development. The largest communities within Central Bedfordshire are Dunstable, Leighton Buzzard, Houghton Regis, Biggleswade, Flitwick, Sandy, Ampthill and Shefford. 

Central Bedfordshire has good north to south communication routes including the M1 in the west and A1 in the east with the A507 being the main east to west route. Car dependency is high with the majority of work journeys being made by car, with limited real alternatives available for people without a vehicle in rural areas. Other transport links include good regional and national rail lines and nearby Luton and Stansted airports. Close proximity to London means that a large number of residents work outside the area in the surrounding employment centres of Bedford, Luton, Milton Keynes and Letchworth as well as London, 40 miles to the south. Major employers located in Central Bedfordshire include Amazon, Cranfield University, Millbrook Proving Ground and the RSPB.  

In the near future major new visitor attractions such as Centre Parcs Holiday Village and the NIRAH aquatic life centre will increase both employment and visits to the area, complementing the well-established Woburn Safari Park and Abbey and ZSL Whipsnade.

Tourist attractions

  • Woburn Abbey and Safari Park
  • ZSL Whipsnade Zoo
  • Wrest Park, Houghton House
  • Shuttleworth Collection
  • RSPB Sandy
  • The lion carved in chalk on Dunstable Downs

Famous locals

  • Paul Brown (writer)
  • Dan Albone (1860-1906) Inventor of first practical tractor and cycle (Biggleswade)
  • Joseph Paxton (1801-1865) English Gardner & Architect  (Woburn)
  • Kris Akabusi (Olympian)

Related links