Leighton Buzzard is a market town in Bedfordshire and close to the Buckinghamshire border. And there are many things to do in this beautiful town. 

Lying between Aylesbury, Tring, Luton and Milton Keynes, it is just 36 miles northwest of London. It is a town with a history that some historians believe could date back as far as 571. It developed into a thriving market town by being supported by a good road, canal and, later, rail links to the surrounding agricultural areas and to London. 

Within this article we are going to look at the top six things to do in Leighton Buzzard, that will be fun for both visitors and locals to the area.

Discover Leighton Buzzard’s Rich History

Leighton Buzzard has a history that is believed to date back to 571. It has been a thriving market town for a very long time, with it gaining its market charter back in 1086. 

The railway added even more support to this thriving market town as it allowed access to the town from places further afield, such as London. It is not surprising that Leighton Buzzard is very proud of its railway and now offers a premier heritage railway attraction. 

The heritage railway runs along a 3 mile line and it is one the last survivors of the hundreds of 2 foot gauge light railways which were built in Britain for industrial use. It is believed to be the only remaining line which owed its existence to the ready availability of surplus materials and equipment from the First World War battlefield supply lines.

It now offers an 85 minute round trip along its 3 mile track, from Page’s Park to Stonehenge Works. The railway is open March to October and the train runs up to five times a week. Check out the website to find out more and to book tickets. 

If you are more into architecture than railways, Leighton Buzzard has the beautiful All Saints Church for you to visit. 

The church was constructed in the 13th Century and it is a very large building to say it would have been built in what was a small village at the time. On the outside, you can view the spire which is nearly 200 ft high and look out for the many gargoyles that date back to the 15th Century. Inside does not disappoint either with a magnificently decorated roof and many other beautiful parts to look at. It even has a welcoming community coffee shop. 

The church is not open every day so make sure to check the website before heading out for a visit. 

Enjoy Leighton Buzzard’s Nature & Outdoor Activities

Along with it being a town steeped in history, there are also many things to do in Leighton Buzzard for nature lovers. 

Rushmere Country Park has over 400 acres of woodland, heathland and meadows to explore and enjoy. It is a great spot for bird lovers as herons nest in the park in the Spring. There is also a sculpture trail, fairy doors to find and many walking and cycling trails. 

There is even a dog fun area! What more could you ask for? Well, Rushmere Country Park also has the Tree Tops Cafe so you can also enjoy some lunch, a cup of tea and the beautiful views this magical place has on offer. 

The park’s main entrance is open 8am to 5pm and the Stockgrove entrance is open 9am to 5pm. The cafe is open everyday, 8am to 4.30pm. 

If you are a water lover, then a walk or a cycle along the Grand Union Canal will be just the ticket. The canal runs from London to Birmingham and can be accessed from many locations. To enjoy a walk along it in Leighton Buzzard, you can walk for around 20 minutes (or cycle for 10) across Billington Road into Chartmoor Road, through the Grovebury industrial park to the roundabout, and follow the old railway track to the bridge across the canal. From here you can walk southwards to the Grove Lock pub or north to the town centre.

Indulge in Local Shopping & Cuisine

As we have already mentioned, Leighton Buzzard has been a thriving market town since the 11th Century so a visit to the market should be high on your list of things to do in Leighton Buzzard. 

The regular weekly market runs every Tuesday and Saturday, 8.30am to 3pm, and then there are the speciality markets. 

The Farmers and Producers market runs every 3rd Saturday of the month, 8.30am to 1pm. This market is a great opportunity to meet farmers, growers and producers of the best regional products. 

Then there is the Handmade and Craft market which runs every 4th Saturday of the month, 8.30am to 3pm. This is a great opportunity to meet the artists, designers, creators, and makers in the local area.

All the markets offer a chance to meet people from the local community and buy local products. To find out more, please head to the website. 

Along with the market, Leighton Buzzard also has an array of shops including the Waterborne Shopping Centre. Along with high street shops, like Argos and Holland & Barrett, there are also many independent shops such as The Raven & Broomstick. 

When it comes to food, there are many different options available such as Rustico Italian Bistro which has a delicious lunch menu of sandwiches and paninis and then delicious fish, pasta and risotto dishes available for the evening. With vegetarian options available, this is a great place to dine for many people. 

If you are in the mood for some pub grub, then there is The Dukes which is a quintessential British pub. They have breakfast, lunch and dinner covered and they have a variety of vegetarian and vegan options and/or alternatives. 

Engage in Arts & Culture

Leighton Buzzard also has a lot of places in which to engage with the arts and culture. 

The Leighton Buzzard Library Theatre has many different things on each month such as film showings, comedy shows and music. You will definitely find a lot of things to do here.  

There is also the Leighton Buzzard Art Society so if you are local and creative, this could be the place for you. If you are an art lover, they hold many exhibitions throughout the year. Check out the website to find out more about their next one. 

Family-Friendly Activities In Leighton Buzzard

There are many family friendly activities in Leighton Buzzard and we have in fact already mentioned some of them. A trip to the heritage railway or to Rushmere Park will be a lot of fun for all the family. 

Then there is also Mead Open Farm which has animals, slides and climbing walls, Crazy Golf and so much more so it will be fun for all the family. Open everyday, 10am to 6pm, you will be able to have a whole day of fun with the family. 

Visit Local Events & Festivals

Leighton Buzzard also has a lot of events throughout the year. 

Music in the Park is an annual event held at Parson’s Close Recreation Ground. From June to September, Music in the Park takes place on Sunday afternoons beginning at 3pm. The Town Council began this event to showcase brass and silver bands from around the region with Jazz and popular bands also represented throughout the years.

And then in July, there is also the annual Carnival which is a day of fun for all the community, which also raises money for local charities and causes. The Carnival has been happening for over 60 years so definite must for your things to do in Leighton Buzzard list.

The Top Things To Do In Leighton Buzzard

There are so many diverse things to do in Leighton Buzzard, whether you are visiting for the day or a lucky local, you will be spoilt for choice. 

This market town has something for everyone and we hope you enjoy visiting and exploring all of our top 6 things to do in Leighton Buzzard. 

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