Bedfordshire is a beautiful part of the UK. If you are considering moving to the area, you need to know the best places to live. Here, we will guide you through the six best places to live in Bedfordshire.
Bedfordshire is a ceremonial county in the East of England. It is bordered by Northamptonshire to the north, Cambridgeshire to the north-east, Hertfordshire to the south and the south-east, and Buckinghamshire to the west. Its largest settlement is Luton and Bedford is the county town.
If you are thinking of moving to Bedfordshire, you will want and need to know what are the best places to live in Bedfordshire. Within this article, we will guide you through the best places to live in Bedfordshire so you can make a good decision if you plan on moving to the area.
1. Bedford
Bedford is nestled by the banks of the River Ouse, offering those who live there a wonderful riverside setting.
The origins of Bedford trace back to the 9th Century and evidence of this extensive history can be spotted throughout the town’s landscape. Among these historical echoes, none are more pronounced than the remains of Bedford Castle. Built sometime after 1100 by Henry I, the castle played a prominent part in both the civil war of the Anarchy and the First Barons’ War. Along with Bedford Castle, you will find many other exciting things to do and visit in Bedford. You can visit the historic Wrest Park, and the John Bunyan Museum.
Bedford is one of the best locations in the county for transport links, either by road or rail. From Bedford’s main rail station, you can arrive at St Pancras station in 40 minutes and services run every 30 minutes. This is ideal for those who must commute into the city but would rather enjoy a quieter, more peaceful life away from the hustle and bustle of a major city.
The average house price in Bedford is £343,300. The majority of properties sold in Bedford during the last year were semi-detached properties, selling for an average price of £342,869. Terraced properties sold for an average of £289,841, with detached properties fetching £527,780.
2. Luton
Luton is the largest town in Bedfordshire. It has a multicultural population and vibrant cultural scene and people living in Luton have access to everything they need.
Known for its diverse population and cultural offerings, Luton has a good range of shopping centres, plenty of entertainment choices, and it is just 25 minutes away from London, making it an excellent choice for people who want to continue working in London.
It is also home to a major airport – London Luton – and it is extremely close to the M1, making it, once again, great for commuting but also for people who love to travel or need to travel for work.
If you do not want to commute to work, there are a variety of jobs and industries in Luton itself. Some of these include aviation, retail, and education, all of which can provide employment opportunities for those with skills in these sectors.
Luton is also a very pretty town with green space, parks and tree-lined streets. Wardown Park is a lovely place to visit. Situated on the River Lea, the park has various sporting facilities.
With Luton being home to the University of Bedfordshire, it is also a popular place for the younger generation, with a buzzing nightlife and due to it being so close to London.
The average house price in Luton is £315,534. The majority of properties sold in Luton during the last year were semi-detached properties, selling for an average price of £332,518. Terraced properties sold for an average of £269,060, with detached properties fetching £465,692.
3. Woburn
Woburn is a beautiful village that has received recognition as one of the best places to live in the UK by The Sunday Times.
The village has many independent shops selling gifts, food, antiques, boutique clothing stores, and a monthly food market. Woburn’s main attraction is the Woburn Safari Park, located on the grounds of Woburn Abbey, which draws in many visitors and encourages high-end businesses to thrive in the town.
Although it does not have its own railway station, it is just a short 13-minute drive that takes you to Flitwick, where trains to London, Bedford, and even as far as Brighton are readily available.
The average house price for Woburn is £361,700. The majority of properties sold in Woburn during the last year were flats, selling for an average price of £296,167. Terraced properties sold for an average of £460,000.
4. Sandy
Sandy is a semi-rural town, situated by a river. Surrounded by fields and farmland, this locale boasts not only its natural beauty but also a sense of community amongst neighbours.. It is a quiet, idyllic area that is perfect after a busy day working in the city. It is also great for young families as there are many sought after schools nearby.
The town has several quaint cafes, a variety of well-liked independent restaurants and traditional and gastro-pubs. There is also a convenience store, a local florist, an independent hardware store, and a selection of farm shops.
On top of all this, Sandy also has its own railway station and you can be in London in around 28 minutes. Cambridge and Stevenage are also very close by, making it great for people wanting to continue working in larger cities but wanting a quieter home life.
The average house price in Sandy is £309,462, making it one of the cheaper areas in Bedfordshire. The majority of properties sold in Sandy during the last year were terraced properties, selling for an average price of £260,416. Semi-detached properties sold for an average of £312,632, with detached properties fetching £415,907.
5. Biggleswade
Biggleswade is a neighbour of Sandy and it is a favoured market town in Bedfordshire. It is located along the River Ivel, around 11 miles from Bedford. The history of Biggleswade dates back to the prehistoric period and evidence of a Roman presence has been discovered in the area.
The bustling yet inviting town centre offers a hub of shops, restaurants and cafes. Biggleswade also has a train station so you will be well connected to places, such as London, Stevenage, and Cambridge, making it an outstanding choice for commuters.
With many excellent schools in the area, Biggleswade is also an excellent choice for families or those wanting to start a family.
The average house price in Biggleswade is £349,823. The majority of properties sold in Biggleswade during the last year were terraced properties, selling for an average price of £309,798. Semi-detached properties sold for an average of £370,643, with detached properties fetching £473,449.
6. Henlow
Henlow is another beautiful village in Bedfordshire. Within the village, it has a well-loved, popular pub, The Crown, which is well known for its Sunday lunches and an extensive wine selection. The village also has a few local shops, which include a village shop, a fish and chip shop, a pet shop, and two bakeries.
Along with all this, Henlow also has excellent transport links to London. It is smaller than other places in Bedfordshire, but it offers a peaceful and picturesque setting.
The average house price in Henlow is £396,875. The majority of properties sold in Henlow during the last year were terraced properties, selling for an average price of £310,729. Detached properties sold for an average of £633,433, with semi-detached properties fetching £423,687.
6 Best Places To Live In Bedfordshire
Bedfordshire is an incredibly beautiful part of the UK with many wonderful areas to choose from when it comes to picking the best place to live in Bedfordshire.
We hope our guide to the six best places to live in Bedfordshire has been helpful in giving you some inspiration as to where to begin looking as you start your moving process.
If you are moving to the area and find yourself in need of self storage, our storage in Bedford is here to help. To find out more, please give us a call on: 01234 745 881 or click here.