Leighton Buzzard

Leighton Buzzard is a buzzing market town which is close to many of Bedfordshire’s key towns and attractions. It can be found near the Chiltern Hills and lies between the major towns of Milton Keynes and Luton, making it a location to stop for a break or base yourself during a stay in the region, particularly for those that are keen to explore the wider region. Leighton Buzzard has many main road links around the county and into neighbouring places such as Cambridgeshire, Buckinghamshire and London, making it an easily accessible town and a great location for meeting travelling companions or stopping for a rest during your journey.

With the lovely surroundings and its locality to many of the top attractions in the region, Leighton Buzzard is the perfect place for anyone wanting to stop for a coffee and a quiet amble around a picturesque market town. Why not take a few moments to take in the sights and sounds of the region and feel inspired over a lazy and relaxing lunch at one of the many quaint, independent cafes and eateries that can be found in the town centre.

While Leighton Buzzard is a conveniently placed area for a rest, it does have several major attractions of its own. The town is home to the Leighton Buzzard Railway which is one of the most popular narrow gauge railways in the country and is arguably the top visitor attraction in the town. The line was first built in 1919 to carry sand, but now operates a steam driven round trip passenger service which has been in operation since 1968. The train serves Pages Parks, on the opposite side of town to Leighton Buzzard’s main railway station and Stonehenge Works, fans of rail will love visiting the region as the railway maintains the largest collection of narrow-gauge locomotives in Britain. The railway in the town is also famous for its role in 1963’s Great Train Robbery, which took place on the Leighton Buzzard line at Birdego Bridge. A feature film, Robbery, which was based on the incident shot scenes at Leighton Buzzard rather than the actual site of the robbery, which occurred just outside the town.

Other top attractions in the town include All Saints Church, a 13^th century building which stands at 190 feet tall. Many of the exterior features were added on during the Victorian era, but the iron braces in the doorways are the original ones from when it was first built. All Saints Church is the starting point for the Wilkes Walk, an annual procession of the church choir, clergy and churchwardens across the tow to the alms houses. Visitors will also be drawn to the Grand Union Canal which runs through thje town and connects Birmingham to London. There are numerous walking trails that follow the banks of the canal as well as various boating companies that offer scheduled and charter cruises along the canal in narrow boats. A source of much intrigue to visitors are the network of historic tunnels that exist under the high street, these are believed to date back to medieval times.

Ascott House, the former home of the Rothschild family, is also a popular location for visitors, the views from the grounds stretch over Whipsnade Zoo and Dunstable Downs offering some incredible sights. There are also self-guided tours available around the house and gardens that are well worth a visit whether you are in the town for a few days or just passing through.

Leighton Buzzard has a busy events calendar and one cultural hub is the Library Theatre which hosts live events and film screenings all year around in addition to regular markets and children’s events. There are also a number of walking trails surrounding the town with routes through the Rushmere Country Park, Tiddenfoot Waterside Park and various farms in the region, many of which are open to the public.