Herts &amp; Beds


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why">WHY? </h2>



<p>With its canal-side location and proximity to both pretty country villages and the buzzing hub of Milton Keynes, Leighton Buzzard ticks a lot of boxes and shh… it’s actually pretty affordable, too. Just don’t tell everyone! </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eat">EAT</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/10/Rustico-italian-bistro.jpg" alt="antipasti on wooden serving board rustico italian bistro" class="wp-image-80261" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/10/Rustico-italian-bistro.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/10/Rustico-italian-bistro-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/10/Rustico-italian-bistro-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/10/Rustico-italian-bistro-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Rustico Italian Bistro</figcaption></figure>



<p>The town is well served for foodies, with <a aria-label="Rustico (opens in a new tab)" href="https://rustico-italian-bistro.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rustico Italian Bistro</a> and <a href="https://thecottagelb.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Cottage </a>(another Italian Bistro), and <a href="https://theoliverandhare.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Oliver and Hare</a>,  as well as artisan bakery, <a href="https://www.littlebuzzardbakery.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Little Buzzard Bakery</a> for sourdough loaves and pop-up pizza nights, and all-day dining and coffee from <a aria-label="Sorelli Café (opens in a new tab)" href="https://sorellicafe.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sorelli Café</a>. You&#8217;ll also find Turkish, Mediterannean, Chinese and Indian cuisine in the centre of town. </p>



<p>Café-wise, there&#8217;s <a href="https://www.giggleandgraze.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Giggle and Graze</a> for cakes and grazing boards, <a href="https://www.espresso-head.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Espresso Head</a> for coffee purists and artisan roastery, <a href="https://thehouseofcoffee.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">House of Coffee</a>. There are plenty of good town boozers to choose from here, too, including <a href="https://www.greatbritishinn.co.uk/our-locations/the-ship-inn/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Ship Inn</a>, and you&#8217;ll find some with canal-side seats, including <a aria-label="The Globe Inn (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.greeneking-pubs.co.uk/pubs/bedfordshire/globe-inn/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Globe Inn</a>, the picturesque <a aria-label="Grove Lock (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.grovelock.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Grove Lock</a>. Plus there&#8217;s a fab new wine and cheese bar in town, <a href="https://www.thewineryleightonbuzzard.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Winery</a> and you&#8217;ll find a tap room at <a href="https://www.leightonbuzzardbrewing.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Leighton Buzzard Brewing Co</a>. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shop">SHOP </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1500" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/Happydashery-leighton-buzzard.jpg" alt="Happydashery leighton buzzard" class="wp-image-86152" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/Happydashery-leighton-buzzard.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/Happydashery-leighton-buzzard-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/Happydashery-leighton-buzzard-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/Happydashery-leighton-buzzard-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/Happydashery-leighton-buzzard-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/Happydashery-leighton-buzzard-1100x1100.jpg 1100w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Alongside a couple of major chains on the High Street and in the Waterborne Walk shopping centre, there&#8217;s a good few independents including <a aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://soyouboutique.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">So You Boutique</a>, <a href="https://www.kingsroadfashions.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kings Road Fashions</a>, gift shop, <a href="https://roomno9.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Room No.9</a>, a fab little stationery store, <a href="https://happydashery.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Happydashery</a>, and bookshop, <a aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/bookleightonbuzzard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BOOK</a>. Plus if it’s fresh, local produce you’re after, check out <a aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.pecksfarmshop.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pecks Farm Shop</a> and there&#8217;s a bi-weekly farmers market, too. And if you’re after a proper shopping fix, it’s only a 20 min drive to the big shopping centres in Milton Keynes.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-health-amp-wellbeing">HEALTH &amp; WELLBEING</h2>



<p>A good handful of GP surgeries and medical centres in the town, as well as a mix of NHS and private dental clinics, including <a href="https://bridgestreetdental.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bridge Street Dental</a>, and <a href="https://banningdental.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Banning Dental and Skin Clinique</a>, which offers facial aesthetics too. You have your pick of beauty salons too, including <a href="https://www.edenbeauty-aesthetics.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eden Beauty and Aesthetics</a>, <a href="https://minilush.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Minilush</a> treatment lounge, <a href="https://www.blissfultouchwellness.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Blissful Touch</a> Massage and Beauty and <a href="https://www.sweetbreeze.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sweet Breeze Day Spa</a>. Whilst <a href="https://www.gennaroorganichair.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Gennaro&#8217;s</a> Organic Hair and Beauty, <a href="https://raffaellahairstudio.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Raffaela Hair Studio</a> and <a href="https://www.christoshairgroup.com/leighton-buzzard/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Christo&#8217;s</a> will tame those locks. As for raising your heart rate, head to <a href="https://www.everyoneactive.com/centre/tiddenfoot-leisure-centre/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tiddenfoot Leisure Centre</a>, which has two pools, a gym, fitness studios and squash courts. Plus there are private gyms, <a href="https://energiefitness.com/gym/leighton-buzzard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Energie Fitness</a>, <a href="http://allaboutmefitness.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">All About Me Fitness</a> and <a href="https://www.studio83fitness.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Studio 83</a>, as well as <a href="https://www.theroccitree.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Rocci Tree</a> Yoga Studio.  </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-community">COMMUNITY</h2>



<p>Leighton Buzzard is buzzing, from the twice weekly <a href="https://leightonbuzzardmarket.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">markets</a> on (Tues and Sat) and one-off speciality markets, to kids&#8217; <a href="https://www.leightonlinslade-tc.gov.uk/buzzard-trails/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">town trails</a> and bandstand concerts in the summer months. In July, the <a href="https://www.leightonlinslade-tc.gov.uk/council_events/linslade-canal-festival/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Linslade Canal Festival</a> celebrates the local countryside and rural crafts, with demos, workshops and working boats. Plus there are tonnes of charitable initiatives to get involved with including <a href="https://www.leightonlinslade-tc.gov.uk/mens-sheds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Men&#8217;s Sheds</a>, to Pride, Big Lunch, Black History Month and more. Ooh, and it even has its own (pretty big actually!) annual music festival, <a href="https://buzzstock.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Buzzstock</a>! </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nearby-attractions">NEARBY ATTRACTIONS</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1089" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/07/Rushmere-KHL_Fotor.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-71693" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/07/Rushmere-KHL_Fotor.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/07/Rushmere-KHL_Fotor-800x581.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/07/Rushmere-KHL_Fotor-1000x726.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/07/Rushmere-KHL_Fotor-723x525.jpg 723w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Rushmere Country Park</figcaption></figure>



<p>Leighton Buzzard can pull out the big guns when it comes to the great outdoors. There’s <a aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="http://www.tiddenfoot.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tiddenfoot Waterside Park</a>, a former quarry-turned nature reserve, the Grand Union canal which provides walking trails and opportunities for boating, wildlife spotting and other water-based activities. <a aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.greensandtrust.org/rushmere-country-park" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rushmere Country Park</a> is alson on the doorstep, with its 400 acres of woodlands and heathland to explore, plus sculpture trails for the kids. Talking of which, <a aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.meadopenfarm.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mead Open Farm</a> offers a fun family day out and the <a href="https://www.buzzrail.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Leighton Buzzard Railway</a> is always a hit with the kids. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-culture">CULTURE</h2>



<p>The <a href="https://centralbedfordshire.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Leighton Buzzard Library Theatre</a> is a one-stop shop for family shows, music and screenings. There&#8217;s also an annual local music festival, <a href="https://buzzstock.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Buzzstock</a>, held in July, and nearby Mentmore runs a popular <a href="https://mentmore-arts-festival.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Arts Festival</a> in May. If you&#8217;re after culture, you can get your hit at the fab <a aria-label="MK Gallery (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.mkgallery.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MK Gallery</a>, a cool contemporary space for exhibitions, along with a Curzon cinema, independent café and shop. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-average-house-prices">AVERAGE HOUSE PRICES</h2>



<p>As far as popular commuter towns go, Leighton Buzzard is more affordable than most, with the average house price standing at £345,359, semi-detached properties fetching only slightly more at £386,096, and terraced homes at a pocket-friendly £315,001. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hot-property">HOT PROPERTY</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1200" height="800" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/10/1bca144a-8861-4d5a-a7ff-91bd663b3acc-0.jpg" alt="Leighton Buzzard period house for sale KNight Frank" class="wp-image-85341" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/10/1bca144a-8861-4d5a-a7ff-91bd663b3acc-0.jpg 1200w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/10/1bca144a-8861-4d5a-a7ff-91bd663b3acc-0-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/10/1bca144a-8861-4d5a-a7ff-91bd663b3acc-0-1000x667.jpg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Grade II Listed family home in the heart of the village with oodles of character with many period features. <a href="https://www.knightfrank.co.uk/properties/residential/for-sale/high-street-north-stewkley-leighton-buzzard-buckinghamshire-lu7/bcn012495091" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">On the market with Knight Frank for £1.25m</a>.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nurseries">NURSERIES </h2>



<p><a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.aristotots.com/leighton-buzzard-nursery/" target="_blank">Aristotots</a> and <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://footsteps-nursery.com/little-footsteps-leighton-buzzard" target="_blank">Little Footsteps Explorers Pre-school</a> are both rated Ofsted &#8216;Good&#8217;. Plus there are Preschool options at local Primaries. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-schools">SCHOOLS</h2>



<p>It’s worth noting that all the local schools here are Lower, Middle or Upper &#8211; you won’t find a primary to take your child from age 4-11 yrs. There’s the Ofsted Outstanding <a aria-label="Pulford CofE Lower School (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.pulfordschool.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pulford C of E Lower School</a>, and the Good <a aria-label="Mary Bassett Lower School (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.marybassett.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mary Bassett Lower School</a> and <a aria-label="Rushmere Park Academy (opens in a new tab)" href="https://trpa.thesharedlearningtrust.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rushmere Park Academy</a>, with <a aria-label="Leighton Middle School  (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.leightonmiddle.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Leighton Middle School </a>(rated Good) for ages 9 – 13 yrs. <a aria-label="Cedars Upper School (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.cedarsupper.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cedars Upper School</a> and <a aria-label="Vandyke Upper School (opens in a new tab)" href="https://vandyke.beds.sch.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Vandyke Upper School</a>, both Good are the nearest secondaries, for ages 13 – 18 yrs. A little drive away, <a href="https://www.swanbourne.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Swanbourne House</a> offers a Co-ed independent option for ages 3 – 13 yrs.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-kept-secret">BEST KEPT SECRET</h2>



<p>The Great Train Robbery of 1963 took place just outside Leighton Buzzard, where the criminal gang hijacked a Royal Mail train and made off with £2.6m! It was later made into a Hollywood movie. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-commute">COMMUTE</h2>



<p>Recognised as one of the top commuter towns in the county, you can hop on a train at Leighton Buzzard and be in London Euston in just 35 mins. Some tube journeys take longer than that!</p>



<p><em>View the full <a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/best-places-to-live">Top 300 Best Places to Live</a></em></p>


Leighton Buzzard

See more in Bedfordshire