Shefford

Shefford is a lovely little market town, situated at the confluence of two small rivers, the Hit and the Flit.  Archaeological discoveries show the area was settled in the late Iron Age, with further Romans finds dating from the 1^st century to the 4^th century AD, and Anglo-Saxon artefacts from the 6^th century AD.  At this time, the area was thought to be low lying swampland between higher land to the north and south.  Travellers and shepherds moving their animals around discovered the easiest crossing point for the rivers with their flocks and the name Sheep Ford was born, evolving into Shefford over time.  This is commemorated with our wooden shepherd and flock of sheep in the small woodland area of Drovers Spinney, just off the supermarket, Morrison’s, car park.

In 1229, a Charter was granted to hold a market at the settlement by the sheep ford, thus establishing the tiny hamlet of less than one hundred population as a market town. The charter market is held weekly on a Friday to this day and is complemented with a monthly farmers market on the second Saturday of each month.  In 1312, another Royal Charter was granted to Shefford - the right to hold an annual fair. This is held on the 11th of October each year, to this day, around the High Street area.

Five roads meet in Shefford and have strongly influenced its town buildings, many of them originating as coaching inns and other uses that served the passing trade. When the canal, the Ivel Navigation, was built in 1822 and the railway arrived in 1857, even more trade came with them, and the population of the town increased steadily.

Shefford is highly regarded by the Jewish community. A Jewish Secondary School was evacuated to Shefford from Amhurst Park (Stamford Hill) from September 1939 to August 1945. Several hundred Jewish children were billeted in and around Shefford as part of "Operation Pied Piper", including several recent refugees rescued from Central Europe. Each year the school sends students to visit and learn about the war time experience and has recently presented the town with an oak tree to offer its thanks.

The town centre area today (comprising the High Street, Northbridge Street and Southbridge Street) has many historical buildings, occupied by a range of independent shops, coffee shops, cafes, restaurants  and pubs giving plenty of opportunities for shopping, eating and drinking. 

Old Bridge Way and St Francis Way offers a range of retail, service and leisure opportunities.  Improve your home with specialist outlets in kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms, fire places, flooring, hot tubs as well as general DIY goods from the Trade Counter. Motor services available include MOT, tyres and windscreens, whilst other services include dry cleaning, barbers and mobility aids. For leisure opportunities there is a gym, SwimShak, The Hive children’s soft/indoor play facility, as well as a sports shop specialising in darts, pool and snooker equipment.

A free public car park is available in Old Station Way, with a short walk-through Duck Lane to the High Street as well as short term on-street parking.

Walks around Shefford

Shefford gives the opportunity for a variety of walks, through countryside, along rivers, and through woods. Cockshoot Hill offers a circular route with lovely views over Shefford looking towards the Chiltern Hills.  Riverside walks by the Green Flag Award winning Bellcote Meadow Millennium Green gives a chance to see Kingfishers, Red Kites or Little Egrets, as well as meadow land and its associated wildlife.  You can also cross under the A507 through Walkers Green and access Polehanger Woods, or complete a circular walk via Meppershall or Campton.  At the western end of Shefford is Campton Plantation, which is well worth a visit for the woodcarvings and totem pole.

Details of eight walks:

1. The River

2. Cockshoot Hill

3. Rowney Warren

4. Chicksands Wood

5. Stanford Lock

6. Polehanger

7. Campton

8. Shefford Hardwicke

Events during the year

Shefford has gained a reputation for its delightful Christmas lights and this year’s switching on ceremony is eagerly anticipated at the end of November. Stalls and refreshments are normally available and guests such as Santa and Pepper Pig make an appearance.

The Shefford Community Festival in September each year has become established to celebrate what goes on in Shefford. The Scarecrow trail and Garage sale trail sees many residents take to the streets to marvel at other’s creativity or to snap up bargains on offer.