Gazetteer of Bedfordshire Towns & Villages

The town of Ampthill rests atop the Greensand Ridge in attractive Bedfordshire countryside. The name is of Saxon origin, and rather unromantically translates as "ant hill". It was once the site of Ampthill Castle, where Katherine of Aragon stayed (read "was kept prisoner") from 1531-33. In that latter year, her divorce from Henry VIII became final and she was moved to Kimbolton Castle.
Ampthill, Bedfordshire, England

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The small village of Astwick lies on the River Ivel, north of Letchworth. There is a moated 17th-century manor house, and the parish church of St Guthlac is one of just two British churches with that dedication.
Astwick, Bedfordshire, England

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Heritage Highlight: Church of St Guthlac is one of only two with that dedication in Britain

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Bedford is the county town of Bedfordshire, and is best-known for its association with poet John Bunyan, a native of Bedford and author of Pilgrim's Progress. The River Great Ouse winds through the centre of Bedford on its long journey to the North Sea.
Bedford, Bedfordshire, England

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The market town of Biggleswade grew up around an ancient ford across the River Ivel. The name 'Biggleswade' reveals its origins; it translates from old Saxon as "Biccel's ford". Biggleswade was a busy inland port during the Victorian period, taking advantage of the Ivel Navigation canal to connect to the sea.
Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, England

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Blunham is a small village in Bedfordshire just north of Sandy. The village dates to the 6th or 7th century and at the time of the Domesday Book the estate was jointly owned by Judith, the niece of William the Conqueror, and the abbot of Bury St Edmunds. John Donne was rector here from 1621 until his death in 1631. The 12th-century parish church of St. Edmund and St. James boasts a Saxon font.
Blunham, Bedfordshire, England

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Cardington is famous as the home of prison reformer John Howard. On a less salubrious note, Cardington is known for its role in airship production - it was from here that the ill-fated R101 took flight in 1930 on a flight that ended with a deadly crash over France, effectively signalling the end of support for this form of aeronautics.
Cardington, Bedfordshire, England

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Clifton is a small village on the River Ivel, near Biggleswade. The history of Clifton goes back to at least the 10th century. The parish church of All Saints dates to the 14th century and features the alabaster tomb of Sir Michael and Lady Fysher.
Clifton, Bedfordshire, England

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Heritage Highlight: 14th century All Saints church

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Cople is a small village just east of Bedford. The village is of ancient origin and was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as Chochepol. The name comes from the Old English for 'Cock Pool', a place where chickens are kept. The most interesting historic building in the village is the 15th-century church of All Saints.
Cople, Bedfordshire, England

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Built on a hill about 6 miles east of Milton Keynes, the village of Cranfield has a population of about 5,000 and is home to Cranfield University. The most interesting historic building is the parish church of St Peter and St Paul is a mix of Early English and Perpendicular styles, with a nave, chancel, vestry, and a tower with 5 bells.
Cranfield, Bedfordshire, England

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The Romans founded the first town at Dunstable at a crossing of the ancient Icknield Way track and their own Watling Street. However, Dunstable has seen human habitation since prehistoric times, as evidenced by several earthworks and burial mounds on the chalk hills above the town. The area was deserted by the Saxons, but Henry I founded a new market town here in 1131.
Dunstable, Bedfordshire, England

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