View source for Bedfordshire

{{Short description|County of England}}
{{Use British English|date=October 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{infobox English county
| official_name = Bedfordshire
| other_name = 
| image_main = {{multiple image |border=infobox |perrow=2/1 |total_width=250
 | image1 = Luton Town Hall and War Memorial (01).jpg
 | image2 = Reflections of Bedford - geograph.org.uk - 2520810.jpg
 | image3 = Five Knolls Barrow Cemetery View, Dunstable, Bedfordshire - View 1.jpg
 }}
| image_caption = Clockwise from top left: {{cslist |[[Luton Town Hall]] |''[[Reflections of Bedford]]'' in [[Bedford]] |[[Dunstable Downs]]}}
| locator_map = Bedfordshire UK locator map 2010.svg
| map_caption = Bedfordshire shown within England
| coordinates = {{coord|52|05|N|0|25|W|region:GB_type:adm1st|display=title, inline}}
| region = [[East of England|East]]
| established_date = [[Historic counties of England|Ancient]]
| established_by = 
| preceded_by = 
| origin = 
| MPs = [[Parliamentary constituencies in Bedfordshire|7 MPs]]
| police = [[Bedfordshire Police]]
| largest_town = [[Luton]]
<!-- Ceremonial county fields -->| lord_lieutenant_office = Lord Lieutenant of Bedfordshire
| lord_lieutenant_name = Susan Lousada
| high_sheriff_office = High Sheriff of Bedfordshire
| high_sheriff_name = Russel Beard (2023–24)
| ethnicity = {{Unbulleted list
 | 72.0% [[White people in the United Kingdom|White]]
 | 16.6% [[British Asians|Asian]]
 | 5.6% [[Black British people|Black]]
 | 3.8% [[Mixed (United Kingdom ethnicity category)|mixed]]
 | 1.9% [[Ethnic groups in the United Kingdom|other]]
 }}
| ethnicity_year = [[2021 United Kingdom census|2021]]
| ethnicity_footnotes = <ref>{{NOMIS2021 |id=E06000055 |title=Bedford LA |accessdate=8 December 2023}}</ref><ref>{{NOMIS2021 |id=E06000056 |title=Central Bedfordshire LA |accessdate=8 December 2023}}</ref><ref>{{NOMIS2021 |id=E06000032 |title=Luton LA |accessdate=8 December 2023}}</ref>
<!-- Districts map -->| districts_map = [[File:Bedfordshire numbered districts.svg|200px]]
| districts_key = {{Colorsample|#FFFF99}} Unitary
| districts_list = #[[Borough of Bedford|Bedford]]
#{{nowrap|[[Central Bedfordshire]]}}
#[[Borough of Luton|Luton]]
}}

'''Bedfordshire''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|b|ɛ|d|f|ər|d|ʃ|ɪər|,_|-|ʃ|ər}}; abbreviated ''Beds'') is a [[Ceremonial County|ceremonial county]] in the [[East of England]]. It is bordered by [[Northamptonshire]] to the north, [[Cambridgeshire]] to the north-east, [[Hertfordshire]] to the south-east and south, and [[Buckinghamshire]] to the west. The largest settlement is [[Luton]].

The county has an area of {{Convert|1235|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} and an estimated population of {{English cerem counties|POP=Bedfordshire}} in {{English cerem counties|TXT=Year}}. Luton is located in the south, and Dunstable neighbours it to the west. [[Leighton Buzzard]] in the south-west, and Bedford in the centre-north; much of the county is rural. For [[Local government in England|local government]] purposes Bedfordshire comprises three [[Unitary authorities of England|unitary authority]] areas: [[Borough of Bedford|Bedford]], [[Central Bedfordshire]], and Luton. 

The centre of Bedfordshire is a gently undulating clay plateau, out of which rises a ridge of [[greensand]] that runs south-east to north-west and which has a distinct north-facing [[escarpment]].<ref name="Lincolnshire Wolds">{{Cite web |title=Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire Claylands |url=https://nationalcharacterareas.co.uk/bedfordshire-and-cambridgeshire-claylands/ |access-date=19 November 2025 |website=[[National Character Areas]] |language=en-gb}}</ref><ref name="Lincolnshire Wolds2">{{Cite web |title=Bedfordshire Greensand Ridge |url=https://nationalcharacterareas.co.uk/bedfordshire-greensand-ridge/ |access-date=19 November 2025 |website=[[National Character Areas]] |language=en-gb}}</ref> The south of the county, around Luton, contains part of the chalk [[Chiltern Hills]], and the north part of a limestone ridge that runs between [[Milton Keynes]] and [[Northampton]].<ref name="Lincolnshire Wolds4">{{Cite web |title=Chilterns |url=https://nationalcharacterareas.co.uk/chilterns/ |access-date=19 November 2025 |website=[[National Character Areas]] |language=en-gb}}</ref><ref name="Lincolnshire Wolds3">{{Cite web |title=Yardley-Whittlewood Ridge |url=https://nationalcharacterareas.co.uk/yardley-whittlewood-ridge/ |access-date=19 November 2025 |website=[[National Character Areas]] |language=en-gb}}</ref> The county's highest point is at {{convert|243|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} on the [[Dunstable Downs]], which are part of the Chilterns.<ref>{{cite book |last=Bathurst |first=David |title=Walking the county high points of England |publisher=Summersdale |year=2012 |isbn=978-1-84-953239-6 |location=Chichester |pages=65–68}}</ref> The [[River Great Ouse]] flows through Bedfordshire, entering upstream of [[Harrold, Bedfordshire|Harrold]] in the north-east and flowing in a circuitous but broadly southerly route to Bedford before turning north-west to exit the county a little upstream of [[St Neots]] in Cambridgeshire.

==History==
{{Main|History of Bedfordshire}}
[[File:Bedfordshire County Flag.svg|left|thumb|The [[flag of Bedfordshire|flag]] of the historic county of Bedfordshire]]
The first recorded use of the name in 1011 was "Bedanfordscir", meaning the shire or county of Bedford, which itself means "Beda's ford" (river crossing).

Bedfordshire was historically divided into nine [[hundred (division)|hundred]]s: [[Barford, Bedfordshire|Barford]], [[Biggleswade (hundred)|Biggleswade]], [[Clifton, Bedfordshire|Clifton]], [[Flitt]], [[Manshead]], [[Wixams|Redbornestoke]], [[Stodden]], [[Willey (hundred)|Willey]], [[Wixamtree]], along with the liberty and the [[ancient borough]] of [[Bedford]].

There have been several changes to the county boundary; for example, in 1897 [[Kensworth]] and part of [[Caddington]] were transferred from [[Hertfordshire]] to Bedfordshire. <!-- A complete list of changes would be useful -->

==Geography==

[[File:Northamptonia Bedfordia Cantabrigia Huntingdonia Rutlandia Atlas.jpg|thumb|250px|Hand-drawn map of Northampshire, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Rutland by Christopher Saxton from 1576]]

The southern end of the county is on the [[chalk]] ridge known as the [[Chiltern Hills]]. The remainder forms part of the broad [[drainage basin]] of the [[River Great Ouse]] and its tributaries. Most of Bedfordshire's rocks are [[clay]]s and [[sandstone]]s from the [[Jurassic]] and [[Cretaceous]] periods, with some [[limestone]]. Local clay has been used for [[brick-making]] of [[Fletton brick|Fletton-style bricks]] in the [[Marston Vale]]. [[Glacier|Glacial]] erosion of chalk has left hard [[flint]] nodules deposited as gravel—these have been commercially extracted in the past at pits which are now lakes: at [[Priory Country Park]], [[Wyboston]] and [[Felmersham Gravel Pits|Felmersham]]. The [[Bedfordshire Greensand Ridge|Greensand Ridge]] is an escarpment across the county from near Leighton Buzzard to near Gamlingay in [[Cambridgeshire]].

===Climate===
Bedfordshire, being situated in the east of England, has a relatively dry climate for the UK with regular but generally moderate rainfall. Average annual rainfall is {{convert|608.6|mm|in|2}} at Bedford. October is the wettest month, with {{convert|65.3|mm|in|2}}, and March the driest, with {{convert|37.3|mm|in|2}}.<ref name="metoffice.gov.uk">{{cite web | url=https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/research/climate/maps-and-data/uk-climate-averages/gcr9j7q0s | title=Bedford (Bedford) UK climate averages }}</ref>

Although temperatures are usually moderate, the county has one of the largest absolute temperature ranges in the UK – of more than 60&nbsp;°C (108&nbsp;°F). Average temperatures in Bedford range from a low of {{convert|1.5|C|F}} overnight in February to a high of {{convert|22.4|C|F}} during the day in July.<ref name="metoffice.gov.uk"/> The highest official temperature recorded in Bedfordshire was {{convert|39.7|C|F}} in 2022.<ref>{{cite web
|url=https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/binaries/content/assets/metofficegovuk/pdf/weather/learn-about/uk-past-events/interesting/2022/2022_03_july_heatwave_v1.pdf|title=Unprecedented extreme heatwave, July 2022 |website=metoffice.gov.uk|access-date=20 February 2024}}</ref> The lowest official temperature recorded in Bedfordshire was {{convert|-20.6|C|F}} in 1947.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/research/climate/maps-and-data/uk-climate-extremes | title=UK climate extremes }}</ref>

==Politics==

===Police and Crime Commissioner===

The Bedfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner is [[John Tizard]], a member of the [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-05-03 |title=Bedfordshire PCC: Labour beats Conservative Festus Akinbusoye |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cd1vmld34w4o |access-date=2024-05-03 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref>

===Local government===

For local government purposes, Bedfordshire is divided into three [[unitary authority|unitary authorities]]: the [[borough status in the United Kingdom|boroughs]] of [[Borough of Bedford|Bedford]] and [[Luton]], and the [[districts of England|district]] of [[Central Bedfordshire]]. Healthcare in the county is dealt with by a single Clinical Commission Group (CCG), which serves all three local authorities in the county, alongside the [[City of Milton Keynes]] in [[Buckinghamshire]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.blmkccg.nhs.uk/|title=BLMK CCG – Home|work=Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Clinical Commission Group|access-date=10 July 2021|archive-date=10 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210710174424/https://www.blmkccg.nhs.uk/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Emergency services===

Policing and fire and rescue services continue to be provided on a county-wide basis, with [[Bedfordshire Police]] governed by the [[Bedfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner]] and [[Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service]] governed by a Fire Authority comprising members of the three councils.<ref>{{cite web | title=The Local Government (Structural Changes) (Areas and Membership of Public Bodies in Bedfordshire and Cheshire) Order 2009 (S.I 2009 No. 119) | url=http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2009/uksi_20090119_en_1 | publisher=[[Office of Public Sector Information]] | date=28 January 2009 | access-date=27 March 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090417110025/http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2009/uksi_20090119_en_1 | archive-date=17 April 2009 | url-status=live }}</ref> Ambulance Services are provided by the [[East of England Ambulance Service]] NHS Trust.

===Parliamentary constituencies===

For elections to the [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|House of Commons]], Bedfordshire is divided into seven constituencies, each returning a single [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|Member of Parliament]] (MP):

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Constituency !!colspan="2"| [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|Member of Parliament]]
|-
| [[Bedford (UK Parliament constituency)|Bedford]] ||bgcolor={{party color|Labour Party (UK)}}|&nbsp; || [[Mohammad Yasin (politician)|Mohammad Yasin]]
|-
| [[Dunstable and Leighton Buzzard (UK Parliament constituency)|Dunstable and Leighton Buzzard]] ||bgcolor={{party color|Labour Party (UK)}} |&nbsp; || [[Alex Mayer]]
|-
| [[Hitchin (UK Parliament constituency)|Hitchin]] ||bgcolor={{party color|Labour Party (UK)}}|&nbsp; || [[Alistair Strathern]]
|-
| [[Luton North (UK Parliament constituency)|Luton North]] ||bgcolor={{party color|Labour Party (UK)}}|&nbsp; || [[Sarah Owen]]
|-
| [[Luton South and South Bedfordshire (UK Parliament constituency)|Luton South and South Bedfordshire]] ||bgcolor={{party color|Labour Party (UK)}}|&nbsp; || [[Rachel Hopkins]]
|-
| [[Mid Bedfordshire (UK Parliament constituency)|Mid Bedfordshire]] ||bgcolor={{party color|Conservative Party (UK)}}|&nbsp; || [[Blake Stephenson]]
|-
| [[North Bedfordshire (UK Parliament constituency)|North Bedfordshire]] ||bgcolor={{party color|Conservative Party (UK)}}|&nbsp; || [[Richard Fuller (Bedford MP)|Richard Fuller]]
|}

The present constituencies date from [[1997 United Kingdom general election|1997]].<ref>{{cite web | title=The Parliamentary Constituencies (England) Order 1995 | url=http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si1995/Uksi_19951626_en_2.htm#end | publisher=Office of Public Sector Information | year=1995 | access-date=31 March 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100704033840/http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si1995/Uksi_19951626_en_2.htm#end | archive-date=4 July 2010 | url-status=live }}</ref> The boundaries were slightly modified for the [[2010 United Kingdom general election|2010 general election]].<ref>{{cite web | title=The Parliamentary Constituencies (England) Order 2007 | url=http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2007/uksi_20071681_en_2 | publisher=Office of Public Sector Information | year=2007 | access-date=31 March 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080803003838/http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2007/uksi_20071681_en_2 | archive-date=3 August 2008 | url-status=live }}</ref>

{{Category see also|Parliamentary constituencies in Bedfordshire (historic)}}

==Economy==
This is a chart of trend of regional gross value added of Bedfordshire at current basic prices [https://web.archive.org/web/20110728091019/http://www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme_economy/RegionalGVA.pdf published] (pp.&nbsp;240–253) by ''Office for National Statistics'' with figures in millions of British Pounds Sterling.
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year || Regional Gross Value Added<ref>Components may not sum to totals due to rounding</ref> || Agriculture<ref>includes hunting and forestry</ref> || Industry<ref>includes energy and construction</ref> || Services<ref>includes financial intermediation services indirectly measured</ref>
|-
| 1995 || '''4,109''' || 81 || 1,584 || 2,444
|-
| 2000 || '''4,716''' || 53 || 1,296 || 3,367
|-
| 2003 || '''5,466''' || 52 || 1,311 || 4,102
|}

Bedfordshire is the location of a number of notable UK and international companies who have either headquarters or major bases in the county. [[Autoglass]], [[Boxclever]] and [[Charles Wells Ltd|Charles Wells Pubs]] are all based in [[Bedford]], while the [[Kier Group]] and [[Kingspan Off-Site|Kingspan Timber Solutions]] are based in [[Sandy, Bedfordshire|Sandy]], and [[Jordans (company)|Jordans Cereals]] are based in [[Biggleswade]]. [[EasyJet]], [[Impellam Group|Impellam]], [[TUI Airways]] and [[Vauxhall Motors]] are all based in [[Luton]], [[Whitbread]] is based in [[Houghton Regis]] and [[Costa Coffee]] is now based in [[Dunstable]]. [[UltraVision]] is based in [[Leighton Buzzard]], while [[Moto Hospitality]] is based at [[Toddington, Bedfordshire|Toddington]] service station.

==Traditional dishes==
The "[[Bedfordshire clanger]]" is a local dish consisting of a [[suet]] crust pastry filled with meat in one end and a fruit preserve in the other. It was traditionally a farm labourers' meal, designed so as to produce no waste as well as two separate meals.

Chocolate Toothpaste is another local delicacy.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Bedfordshire Clanger and Toothpaste Cake |url=http://mybedfordshire.com/gunns-bakery-home-of-bedfordshire-clanger/ |website=MyBedfordshire |access-date=13 December 2021 |archive-date=15 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210515163317/http://mybedfordshire.com/gunns-bakery-home-of-bedfordshire-clanger/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> A [[chocolate tart]], Chocolate Toothpaste consists of a gritty chocolate filling (said to resemble the texture of toothpaste) within a pastry tart, commonly finished with a swirl of whipped cream on top.

==Visitor attractions==
[[File:Luton Hoo (South Face - 01).jpg|180px|thumb|[[Luton Hoo]]]]
{{EngPlacesKey|align=right}}
{{columns-list|colwidth=20em|
*[[File:CL icon.svg]] [[Bedford Castle]]
*[[Corn Exchange, Bedford|Bedford Corn Exchange]]
*[[File:EH icon.svg]] [[Bushmead Priory]]
*[[File:Museum icon.svg]] [[Cecil Higgins Art Gallery & Bedford Museum]]
*[[File:UKAL icon.svg]] [[Bedford Park, Bedford|Bedford Park]]
*[[Cardington, Bedfordshire|Cardington]] ([[R101]] hangar)
*[[File:HH icon.svg]] [[Chicksands Priory]]
*[[File:UKAL icon.svg]] [[Chiltern Hills]]
*[[File:EH icon.svg]] [[De Grey Mausoleum]]
*[[File:NTE icon.svg]] [[Dunstable Downs]]
*[[File:Museum icon (red).svg]] [[Moot Hall, Elstow|Elstow Moot Hall]]
*[[File:CP icon.svg]] [[Harrold-Odell Country Park]]
*[[File:EH icon.svg]] [[Houghton House]]
*[[File:HR icon.svg]] [[Leighton Buzzard Light Railway]]
*[[File:HH icon.svg]] [[Luton Hoo]]
*[[File:Museum icon.svg]] [[Luton Museum & Art Gallery]]
*[[File:UKAL icon.svg]] [[Marston Vale Community Forest]]
*[[File:Museum icon.svg]] [[Mossman Collection]]
*[[File:CP icon.svg]] [[Priory Country Park]]
*[[File:Museum icon.svg]] [[RAF Henlow]]
*[[RSPB The Lodge|RSPB The Lodge, Sandy]]
*[[File:CL icon.svg]] [[Someries Castle]]
*[[File:Museum icon (red).svg]] [[The Shuttleworth Collection]]
*[[File:AP Icon.svg]] [[St Paul's Church, Bedford|St Paul's Church]]
*[[File:Museum icon.svg]] [[Stockwood Craft Museum]]
*[[File:CP icon.svg]] [[Swiss Garden, Old Warden]]
*[[File:UKAL icon.svg]] [[Wardown Park]]
*[[File:UKAL icon.svg]] [[Waulud's Bank]]
*[[File:Zoo icon.jpg|20px]] [[Whipsnade Wildlife Park]]
*[[File:NTE icon.svg]] [[Whipsnade Tree Cathedral]]
*[[File:NTE icon.svg]] [[Willington Dovecote & Stables]]
*[[File:HH icon.svg]] [[Woburn Abbey]]
*[[File:Zoo icon.jpg|20px]] [[Woburn Safari Park]]
*[[File:Zoo icon.jpg|20px]] [[Woodside Farm and Wildfowl Park]]
*[[File:EH icon.svg]] [[Wrest Park Gardens]]
}}

==Transport==
{{See also|List of future transport developments in the East of England}}
Bedfordshire lies on many of the main transport routes which link [[London]] to the [[English Midlands|Midlands]], [[Northern England]] and the rest of the UK.

===Roads===
Two of England's six main [[trunk roads]] pass through Bedfordshire. The [[A1 road (Great Britain)|A1]] London to [[Edinburgh]] road (the Great North Road) runs close by Biggleswade and Sandy, and [[Watling Street]], the Roman road between London and Chester, passes through Dunstable. Until it was diverted in 2017,<ref>{{cite web |title=Woodside Link road |url=https://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/info/55/transport_roads_and_parking/598/woodside_link_road |publisher=Central Bedfordshire Council}}</ref> this was also the route of the [[A5 road (Great Britain)|A5 road]] between London and [[Holyhead]]. The Bedfordshire section of the A5 now runs from junction 11a of the M1 to rejoin Watling Street between Dunstable and [[Hockliffe]], then continues on to cross the [[Buckinghamshire]] border at the [[City of Milton Keynes]].

To these was added in 1959 the [[M1 motorway]], running from London to [[Leeds]]. Running from junctions 10 to 13 in Bedfordshire, there are two junctions serving Luton (at the southern end), with another one serving Bedford and [[Milton Keynes]] (at the northern end). Between these lie two other junctions in the county; one connecting to the [[A5 (road)|A5]] and serving [[Dunstable]], and the other serving the town of [[Flitwick]]. There is one motorway service station in the county: [[Toddington services|Toddington Services]].

Former trunk roads, now local roads managed by the local highway authorities, include the [[A428 road|A428]] (Cambridge-Coventry) running east–west through Bedford Borough, and the [[A6 road (England)|A6]] from Luton to [[Carlisle]].

===Railways===
Three of England's main lines pass through Bedfordshire.

The [[West Coast Main Line]] has but a short section where it passes through the far west of the county, with one station at {{rws|Leighton Buzzard}} served by [[West Midlands Trains]] to [[Euston railway station|London Euston]] and {{rws|Northampton}}.

The [[East Coast Main Line]] has stations at {{rws|Arlesey}}, {{rws|Biggleswade}} and {{rws|Sandy}}, served by [[Govia Thameslink Railway|Great Northern]] services to [[London King's Cross railway station|King's Cross]] and {{rws|Peterborough}}.

The [[Midland Main Line]] serves {{rws|Luton}}, [[Luton Airport]] (via [[Luton DART]] link from the station at {{rws|Luton Airport Parkway}}) and {{rws|Bedford}}, with trains to many destinations operated by [[East Midlands Railway]] and [[Govia Thameslink Railway|Thameslink]]. Intermediate stations at {{rws|Flitwick}}, {{rws|Harlington}} and {{rws|Leagrave}} are served by Thameslink.

There are London North Western rural services also running between Bedford and {{rws|Bletchley}} along the [[Marston Vale Line]].

===Waterways===
The [[River Great Ouse]] links Bedfordshire to the [[The Fens|Fenland]] waterways. As of 2004 there are plans by the [[Bedford & Milton Keynes Waterway Trust]] to construct a [[canal]] linking the Great Ouse at Bedford to the [[Grand Union Canal]] at Milton Keynes, 14 miles (23&nbsp;km) distant.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.b-mkwaterway.co.uk/trust/index.html |title=Bedford & Milton Keynes Waterway Trust |publisher=B-mkwaterway.co.uk |access-date=25 September 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110514133105/http://www.b-mkwaterway.co.uk/trust/index.html |archive-date=14 May 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Air===
[[File:Luton Airport and Airport Way - geograph.org.uk - 2777804.jpg|thumb|[[Luton Airport]]]]
[[Luton Airport]] (the [[airports in the United Kingdom by total passenger traffic|fifth busiest]] in the United Kingdom) has flights to many UK, European, [[Middle Eastern]] and [[North African]] destinations, operated largely (but not exclusively) by low-cost airlines.

==Media==
Local news is provided by [[BBC East]] and [[ITV Anglia]] from [[Cambridge]], the southern part of the county such as [[Luton]] can also receive [[BBC London]] & [[ITV London]] meaning the area can get news and television programmes from [[Cambridge]] and [[London]].

Local radio stations are [[BBC Three Counties Radio]] (broadcast from [[Dunstable]]), [[Heart East]], [[Greatest Hits Radio Bucks, Beds and Herts]] (formerly Mix 96), [[BigglesFM]] (covering [[Biggleswade]], [[Potton]] and [[Sandy, Bedfordshire|Sandy]]), [[In2beats]] ([[Bedford]]) and [[Radio LaB 97.1FM|Radio LaB]] ([[Luton]]).

==Settlements==
{{Main|List of places in Bedfordshire}}

{{Further|List of Bedfordshire settlements by population|Civil parishes in Bedfordshire}}

{{Location map+|Bedfordshire
  |caption = {{center|[[File:Red pog.svg|12px]] The five largest settlements in Bedfordshire as of the 2021 UK census. (Sources used are as accurate as possible to the locality's boundaries, or the associated civil parish is used if one exists for the place in question.)<ref>{{cite web |author=Census Data UK |url=https://censusdata.uk/e06000032-luton |title=Luton Unitary Authority - Population 225,262 |publisher=censusdata.uk |access-date=12 April 2025 |df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Census Data UK |url=https://censusdata.uk/e63003597-bedford |title=Bedford Built Up Area - Population 97,245 excluding Biddenham (see next source) |publisher=censusdata.uk |access-date=12 April 2025 |df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Census Data UK |url=https://censusdata.uk/e04011877-biddenham |title=Biddenham Civil Parish - Population 2,483 |publisher=censusdata.uk |access-date=12 April 2025 |df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Census Data UK |url=https://censusdata.uk/e04011965-leighton-linslade |title=Leighton-Linslade Civil Parish - Population 42,401 |publisher=censusdata.uk |access-date=12 April 2025 |df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Census Data UK |url=https://censusdata.uk/e04012806-dunstable |title=Dunstable Civil Parish - Population 40,109 |publisher=censusdata.uk |access-date=12 April 2025 |df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Census Data UK |url=https://censusdata.uk/e04011931-biggleswade |title=Biggleswade Civil Parish - Population 22,538 |publisher=censusdata.uk |access-date=12 April 2025 |df=dmy-all}}</ref>&nbsp;– red. <br />[[File:Green pog.svg|12px]] Suburban settlements/[[New towns in the United Kingdom|new town]] type settlements, currently undergoing significant planned expansion in the county. Also of note is that Stewartby/Kempston Hardwick is the planned location of the upcoming [[Universal United Kingdom|UK Universal theme park]].<ref>{{cite web |author=Wixams.org |url=https://www.wixams.org/development-plans/#:~:text=The%20Wixams%20settlement%20is%20a,and%20are%20likely%20to%20change. |title=Development Plans |publisher=wixams.org |access-date=12 April 2025 |df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Central Bedfordshire Council |url=https://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/directory_record/485/wixams#:~:text=This%20is%20a%20new%20settlement,set%20within%20a%20landscaped%20setting. |title=Current major developments - Wixams |publisher=centralbedfordshire.gov.uk |access-date=12 April 2025 |df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Bedford Today |url=https://www.bedfordtoday.co.uk/news/people/wixams-could-be-about-to-expand-if-plans-for-430-new-homes-get-the-go-ahead-4775751 |title=Wixams could be about to expand if plans for 430 new homes get the go ahead |publisher=bedfordtoday.co.uk |access-date=12 April 2025 |df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3wqx3z1zyxo?at_link_id=D92ED438-9AB9-11EF-BEA1-F9566271382B&at_link_type=web_link&at_format=image&at_campaign_type=owned&at_link_origin=BBC_Three_Counties_Radio&at_bbc_team=editorial&at_ptr_name=facebook_page&at_campaign=Social_Flow&at_medium=social&fbclid=IwY2xjawJmh3RleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHjv3w1NtSZ4Yx2mCTFYiCpxqWut5Lrz3lLYx7IH_DAuOfW5kXmBXn_k-reEh_aem_iCxeBgDtBBeGF6jmARq7mw |title=Former Stewartby brickworks sold to developer |publisher=bbc.co.uk |access-date=12 April 2025 |df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=ITV News |url=https://www.itv.com/news/anglia/2025-04-09/everything-we-know-about-universals-new-theme-park-plans |title=Harry Potter or Super Nintendo Land? Everything we know about Universal's new theme park in Bedford |publisher=itv.com |access-date=12 April 2025 |df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Shortstown Parish Council |url=https://shortstown-pc.gov.uk/the-parish/ |title=The Parish |publisher=shortstown-pc.gov.uk |access-date=12 April 2025 |df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Bedford Independent |url=https://www.bedfordindependent.co.uk/shortstown-in-line-for-up-to-1000-new-homes-if-planning-approved/ |title=Shortstown in line for up to 1,000 new homes if planning approved |publisher=bedfordindependent.co.uk |access-date=12 April 2025 |df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Bellway |url=https://www.bellwayplc.co.uk/media-centre/media-releases/new-homes-taking-shape-at-new-cardington-developments |title=New homes taking shape at New Cardington developments |publisher=bellwayplc.co.uk |access-date=12 April 2025 |df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=All Things Business |url=https://allthingsbusiness.co.uk/work-on-new-housing-developments-in-shortstown-reaches-final-stages-bellway/ |title=Work on new housing developments in Shortstown reaches final stages |publisher=allthingsbusiness.co.uk |access-date=12 April 2025 |df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Bedford Today |url=https://www.bedfordtoday.co.uk/news/politics/council/bedford-elections-better-infrastructure-needed-as-more-new-homes-built-says-conservative-candidate-for-shortstown-4091653 |title=Bedford Elections: Better infrastructure needed as more new homes built says Conservative candidate for Shortstown |publisher=bedfordtoday.co.uk |access-date=12 April 2025 |df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Linmere (Houghton Regis extension) official website |url=https://linmere.com/ |title=Linmere |publisher=linmere.com |access-date=12 April 2025 |df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Barratt Homes |url=https://www.barratthomes.co.uk/new-homes/dev000965-barratt-homes-at-linmere/?fbclid=IwY2xjawJmhixleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHjdFon--w7psDmVIYUeLFs_Vo74PZ74xLPQOs5p0Oq2dEtIgOu-6c3P4HDnt_aem_Y4Zg6r2RVAOwBDhQbuYMmw |title=Barratt Homes at Linmere |publisher=barratthomes.co.uk |access-date=12 April 2025 |df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Central Bedfordshire Council |url=https://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/info/153/central_bedfordshire_local_plan_2015_to_2035/1042/new_homes_near_arlesey |title=New homes near Arlesey |publisher=centralbedfordshire.gov.uk |access-date=12 April 2025 |df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=DLA Town Planning |url=https://dlatownplanning.com/arlesey-grange-phase-1/ |title=Arlesey Grange Phase 1 |publisher=dlatownplanning.com |access-date=12 April 2025 |df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Biggleswade Today |url=https://www.biggleswadetoday.co.uk/lifestyle/homes-and-gardens/200-home-development-in-arlesey-set-to-launch-5038614 |title=200-home development in Arlesey set to launch |publisher=biggleswadetoday.co.uk |access-date=12 April 2025 |df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Letchworth Nub News |url=https://letchworth.nub.news/news/local-news/arlesey-set-for-200-new-two-to-five-bedroom-homes-along-with-hotel-primary-school-doctors-surgery-community-centre-retail-stores-and-more-226341 |title=Arlesey set for 200 new two to five bedroom homes along with hotel, primary school, doctors surgery, community centre retail stores and more |publisher=letchworth.nub.news |access-date=12 April 2025 |df=dmy-all}}</ref>&nbsp;– green.}}
  |float   = left 
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      {{Location map~|Bedfordshire
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 }}

==Education==
The state education system for all of Bedfordshire used to be organised by Bedfordshire County Council. Unlike most of the United Kingdom, Bedfordshire County Council operated a [[three-tier education]] system arranged into lower, middle and upper schools, as recommended in the [[Plowden Report]] of 1967, although Luton continued to operate a two-tier system. The three-tier arrangement continued in the rest of the county, though in 2006 a vote was held with a view to moving to the two-tier model, but this was rejected.<ref>{{cite news | publisher=BBC News | url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/beds/bucks/herts/5173424.stm | title=Two-tier school proposal rejected | access-date=10 February 2008 | date=13 July 2006 | archive-date=6 March 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220306193436/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/beds/bucks/herts/5173424.stm | url-status=live }}</ref>

After the [[2009 structural changes to local government in England]], Bedfordshire County Council was abolished, and its responsibilities for education were passed to [[Bedford Borough Council]] and [[Central Bedfordshire Council]].

===Bedford Borough===
Bedford Borough Council voted in November 2009 to change to the two-tier model in its area.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bedfordtoday.co.uk/bed-news/Middle-Schools-Abolished.5829267.jp |title=Middle schools to be abolished – Biggleswade News |publisher=Bedford Today |access-date=25 September 2010 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120723120509/http://www.bedfordtoday.co.uk/bed-news/Middle-Schools-Abolished.5829267.jp |archive-date=23 July 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/beds/bucks/herts/8363976.stm | publisher=BBC News | title='Momentous decision' for schools | date=17 November 2009 | access-date=26 April 2010 | archive-date=6 March 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220306193507/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/beds/bucks/herts/8363976.stm | url-status=live }}</ref> The change was due to be introduced over a five-year period and be completed in 2015.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bedfordtoday.co.uk/news/Tiers-to-be-shed-in.5800585.jp |title=Tiers to be shed in school restructure? – Local |publisher=Bedford Today |access-date=25 September 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091114152050/http://www.bedfordtoday.co.uk/news/Tiers-to-be-shed-in.5800585.jp |archive-date=14 November 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> However, with the cancellation of the [[Building Schools for the Future]] programme in 2010, the borough changed its proposals, and the switch proceeded on school by school basis where council funds allowed. However as of 2020 all of Bedford Borough has a two-tier education structure apart from in the Marston Vale area (one upper school remains).

Most of the secondary schools in the area offer [[sixth form]] courses (such as [[A Levels]]), though [[Bedford College, Bedford|Bedford College]] and [[The Bedford Sixth Form]] also offer a range of [[further education]] courses. Additionally, [[Stella Mann College of Performing Arts|Stella Mann College]] is a private college which offers a range of further education courses relating to the [[performing arts]].<ref>{{cite web | title=Education in Bedford | url=http://www.bedford.gov.uk/Default.aspx/Web/EducationinBedford | publisher=Bedford Borough Council | year=2004 | access-date=31 March 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090318103525/http://www.bedford.gov.uk/Default.aspx/Web/EducationinBedford | archive-date=18 March 2009 | url-status=dead }}</ref>

There are a number of [[independent schools]], many of which have links to the [[Harpur Trust]]. These include [[Bedford School]], [[Bedford Modern School]] and [[Bedford Girls' School]].

===Central Bedfordshire===
[[File:Shuttleworth ag college.jpg|thumb|[[Shuttleworth College (Bedfordshire)|Shuttleworth College]]]]
In Central Bedfordshire, the school systems in Dunstable and Sandy have been re-organised into the two-tier model in response to parent and school demand, but elsewhere in the authority the three-tier model continues. Plans for the construction of new settlements in Marston Vale have included lower, middle and upper schools.

As well as sixth form departments in schools, the main further education providers in the district are [[Central Bedfordshire College]] and [[Shuttleworth College (Bedfordshire)|Shuttleworth College]]<ref>{{cite web | title = Education and Schools Information | url = http://www.centralbeds.gov.uk/Images/Education%20and%20Schools%20Facts%20and%20Figures_tcm5-27833.pdf | work = Creating Central Bedfordshire | publisher = Central Bedfordshire Council | access-date = 31 March 2009 }}{{Dead link|date=July 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

===Luton===
Luton also operates a three-tier education system, though its organisation of infant, junior and high schools mirrors the traditional transfer age into secondary education of 11 years. However, most of Luton's high schools do not offer sixth-form education. Instead, this is handled by [[Luton Sixth Form College]], though [[Barnfield College]] and [[Cardinal Newman Catholic School]], [[Stockwood Park Academy]] and [[The Chalk Hills Academy]] also offer a range of [[further education]] courses.

===Higher education===
There are two [[universities]] based in the county – the [[University of Bedfordshire]] and [[Cranfield University]]. These institutions attract students from all over the UK and abroad, as well as from Bedfordshire.

==Landmarks==
=== Cardington airship sheds ===
The enormous Cardington airship sheds are situated to the south of Bedford, near the villages of [[Cardington, Bedfordshire|Cardington]] and Shortstown.  They were originally built for the construction of large airships during World War I.  Since falling out of their intended use, one has been used for many purposes including housing film sets for 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' and 'Batman Begins' and as a rehearsal space for [[Take That]], with the other having been extensively refurbished and now accommodating Hybrid Air Vehicles, a British modern airship design and manufacturing company.

=== St Paul's Church Bedford ===
[[St Paul's Church, Bedford]] is a Church of England parish church and the Civic Church of the Borough of Bedford and the County of Bedfordshire. Located on St Paul's Square, it is a large medieval and later church of cathedral proportions and spire. St Paul's was the church of the BBC during the Second World War.{{cn|date= January 2025}}

=== Millbrook Proving Ground ===
The [[Millbrook Proving Ground]], near Junction 13 of the M1, has {{convert|70|km|miles}} of varied vehicle test tracks.<ref>{{cite web|title=About Millbrook Group|url=http://www.millbrook.co.uk/about-millbrook-group/|website=Millbrook Proving Ground|access-date=30 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160907101012/http://www.millbrook.co.uk/about-millbrook-group/|archive-date=7 September 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Sport and leisure==
{{Main|Sport in Bedfordshire}}

Bedfordshire is home to League One team [[Luton Town F.C.]] and the [[Ampthill RUFC]] and [[Bedford Blues]] rugby teams, amongst other various sporting teams.

Bedfordshire boasts a 40-mile (64&nbsp; km) walk traversing the county from Leighton Buzzard at the southern endpoint and [[Sandy, Bedfordshire]]/[[Gamlingay]] in southern Cambridgeshire to the east; this is called the [[Greensand Ridge Walk]]. For cyclists, there is a parallel route called the [[Greensand Cycle Way]] that follows minor country roads.

==Bibliographical references==
* ''Bedfordshire Magazine'' (quarterly)<ref name=Godber/>
* ''Elstow Moot Hall leaflets'' on [[John Bunyan]] and 17th century subjects<ref name=Godber/>
* ''Guide to the Bedfordshire Record Office'' 1957 with supplements.<ref name=Godber/>
* ''Guide to the Russell Estate Collections'' Published in 1966.<ref name=Godber/>
* Conisbe, L. R. (1962) ''A Bedfordshire Bibliography'' (supplement, 1967)<ref name=Godber/>
* Dony, John (1953) ''A Bedfordshire Flora''. Luton: Corporation of Luton Museum & Art Gallery<ref name=Godber/>
* Dony, John (1942) ''A History of the Straw Hat Industry''. Luton: Gibbs, Bamforth & Co.<ref name=Godber/>
* Freeman, Charles (1958) ''Pillow Lace in the East Midlands''. Luton: Luton Museum and Art Gallery<ref name=Godber/>
* [[Joyce Godber|Godber, Joyce]] (1969) ''History of Bedfordshire 1066–1888''<ref name="Godber">Detail from a copy of ''History of Bedfordshire'' published by [[Bedfordshire County Council]] in 1969</ref>
* White, H. O. ''Bedfordshire Historical Record Society'' (published annually)<ref name=Godber/>

==See also==
{{Portal|England}}
* [[Lord Lieutenant of Bedfordshire]]
* [[High Sheriff of Bedfordshire]]
* [[Healthcare in Bedfordshire]]
* [[List of English and Welsh endowed schools (19th century)#Bedfordshire]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category}}
{{Geographic location
|title = '''Neighbouring counties'''
|Centre    = Bedfordshire
|North     = [[Northamptonshire]], [[Cambridgeshire]]
|Northeast = [[Cambridgeshire]]
|East      = [[Cambridgeshire]]<br>[[Hertfordshire]]
|Southeast = [[Hertfordshire]]
|South     = [[Hertfordshire]]
|Southwest = [[Buckinghamshire]]
|West      = [[Buckinghamshire]]
|Northwest = [[Northamptonshire]]
}}

{{Bedfordshire}}
{{England counties}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Bedfordshire| ]]
[[Category:Ceremonial counties of England]]
[[Category:Former non-metropolitan counties]]
[[Category:Counties of England established in antiquity]]