Herts &amp; Beds


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



<p>For a taste of village life (and a village that has had a moment in the spotlight at that &#8211; read on for more), Marston Moretaine is ideally located inbetween buzzy Bedford and metropolitan Milton Keynes, yet has a population of only 4000, a handful of great schools and acres of forest, wetlands and walking trails to discover. </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="1500" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/Marston-beans.jpg" alt="Marston Beans coffee shop" class="wp-image-85957" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/Marston-beans.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/Marston-beans-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/Marston-beans-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/Marston-beans-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/Marston-beans-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/Marston-beans-1100x1100.jpg 1100w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Marston Beans</figcaption></figure>



<p>You won&#8217;t find a huge array of eateries in the village, but being a hop, skip and a jump to Bedford, and the nearby town of Ampthill opens up a wide range of options. What you will find though is <a href="https://marstonbeans.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Marston Beans Coffee Shop</a> which supports local artisan businesses and suppliers, such as locally baked cakes and pastries. Plus, just outside the village, near Ampthill, there&#8217;s coffee and cars concept, <a href="https://caffeineandmachine.com/thebowl/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Caffeine and the Machine</a>, which serves food and hosts motoring themed events. </p>



<p>There&#8217;s also a village pub, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thebellmarstonmoretaine/?hl=en-gb" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Bell</a>, where you&#8217;ll find regular festivals, events and live music to amp up that community feel. And <a href="https://www.thelegstraps.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Legstraps</a> in nearby Wootton is a good shout for gastropub dining. If it&#8217;s fine dining fanciness you desire, there&#8217;s <a href="https://www.moreteynemanor.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Moreteyne Manor</a> (yes that&#8217;s the other spelling for the village), a country house restaurant and wedding venue, headed up by Chef Mark Hickman and his wife. Lovely for a special occasion. </p>



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



<p>With Bedford on the doorstep for High Street stores and supermarkets, you&#8217;ll only find the basics here, but that&#8217;s part of the charm of village life. There&#8217;s a Post Office (few and far between these days!), a village store and a Co-op, as well as a family-run butchers, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ingle_and_caves_butchers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ingle and Caves</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-health-amp-wellbeing">HEALTH &amp; WELLBEING</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/2/2024/09/GWD-gym.jpg" alt="GWD gym marston moretaine" class="wp-image-85969" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/GWD-gym.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/GWD-gym-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/GWD-gym-1000x667.jpg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">GWD gym</figcaption></figure>



<p>You&#8217;ll find a GP surgery in the village as well as a pharmacy and a <a href="https://www.marstondental.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dental practice</a>. There&#8217;s also a good handful of home salons and nailbars for your beauty needs, plus <a href="https://bramblesstudios.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Brambles Studio </a>hair salon, <a href="https://www.siennahairspa.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sienna Hair &amp; Beauty Spa</a>, and skincare clinic, <a href="https://www.thefacetherapistuk.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Face Therapist</a>. </p>



<p>Fitness-wise there are three private gyms: <a href="https://gwdperformance.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">GWD Performance</a> for group personal training; <a href="https://www.inclusion-fitness.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Inclusion Fitness</a> for 1:1 and 2:2 sessions in, as the name suggests, an inclusive and non-intimidating setting; and <a href="https://raphael-fitness.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Raphael Fitness</a>, which offers a range of classes from Boxercise to Yoga. Plus there&#8217;s <a href="https://jospilates.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jo&#8217;s Pilates</a>, which offers online and in-person classes across the Marston Vale. </p>



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



<p>There&#8217;s a <a href="https://marstonmoreteyne-pc.gov.uk/the-parish/community-centre/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Community Centre</a> which is a hub of social and community events, such the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/marston-moretaine-community-centre-great-linns-mk43-0dd-marston-moretaine-united/marston-moreteine-food-music-festival/1948490508921039/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Food and Music Festival</a> in September and the annual Christmas fair, as well as village hall and <a href="https://www.marstonleisurepark.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Marston Leisure Park</a>, which is home to the local football and cricket teams and has pitches, a skate park, multi-use games area, kids&#8217; play area and a hall for hire. </p>



<p>And if volunteering is up your street, there are lots of opportunities with the <a href="https://www.marstonvale.org/volunteer-tasks" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Forest of Marston Vale</a>, from woodland management to fence repairs – a great way to get involved in the local community whilst sharing skills and getting some fresh air and exercise, too. </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="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/Forest-centre-marston-vale.jpg" alt="The forest Centre Marston Vale" class="wp-image-85967" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/Forest-centre-marston-vale.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/Forest-centre-marston-vale-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/Forest-centre-marston-vale-1000x667.jpg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Forest Centre</figcaption></figure>



<p>The main local attraction is the <a href="https://www.marstonvale.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Forest of Marston Vale</a> – a charity managed 61 square mile area between Bedford and Milton Keynes – with its Forest Centre and Millennium Country Park. The former land-filled clay pits have been re-planted by the charity to create one of the UK&#8217;s 13 community managed forests. </p>



<p>The Millennium Country Park is a 16-time Green Flag Award Winner and home to 225 hectares of woodlands, grasslands, meadows and Wetlands Nature Reserve, where you can come explore the tonnes of <a href="https://www.marstonvale.org/walks-and-routes" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">walking routes and bridleways</a>, or spot wildlife along the 1.2 mile trail via three different bird hides for just £2.50 per visit (or £30 for the year!). There are regular forest school events and trails for kids, plus the Forest Centre with its café, bike hire facilities and events space. </p>



<p>And, if you&#8217;re feeling active check out the <a href="https://www.swsc.org.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stewartby Watersports Club</a> which runs sailing,  powerboating and waterskiing sessions on Stewartby lake, just outside the village. Or you can perfect your swing on the golf course at the nearby <a href="https://www.themillbrook.com/">Millbrook Golf Club</a>. Whilst <a href="https://www.centerparcs.co.uk/discover-center-parcs/holiday-locations/woburn-forest.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Center Parcs</a>, <a href="https://www.woburn.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Woburn Abbey</a> (due to re-open Spring 2026) and <a href="https://www.woburnsafari.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Woburn Safari Park</a> are all within easy reach, too. </p>



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



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1115" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/wrest-park-garden.jpg" alt="Wrest park" class="wp-image-77795" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/wrest-park-garden.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/wrest-park-garden-800x595.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/wrest-park-garden-1000x743.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/wrest-park-garden-706x525.jpg 706w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Wrest Park</figcaption></figure>



<p><a href="https://www.marstonvale.org/Pages/Events/Category/events-whats-on" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Forest Centre</a> hits the mark again in the culture category, thanks to its calendar (of pretty impressive for a small village) events, from musical tribute nights to cabaret and creative workshops as well as a range of kids&#8217; events such as princess tea parties, Santa meets and seasonal discos. And for cinema, theatre and music, there&#8217;s plenty more to be had in Bedford. </p>



<p>You&#8217;ll also find <a href="https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/wrest-park/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wrest Park</a> in nearby Silsoe – an English Heritage 18th century mansion within 90 acre grounds – which you can simply explore or check out their upcoming events, from school holiday activities for the kids, to outdoor theatre and behind-the-scenes tours. </p>



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



<p>The overall average house price in Marston Moretaine last year was £340,429 with terraces going for just over £250,000 and detached homes selling for an average of £529,133.</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="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/Marston-Moretaine-country-prooperties.jpg" alt="country cottage in marston moretaine" class="wp-image-86213" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/Marston-Moretaine-country-prooperties.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/Marston-Moretaine-country-prooperties-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/Marston-Moretaine-country-prooperties-1000x667.jpg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A 4-bed cottage with a courtyard garden in a picturesque village. <a href="https://www.country-properties.co.uk/properties-for-sale/4-bedrooms-cottage-in-marston-moretaine-bedfordshire-mk43/28210984/?_gl=1*w37ixd*_up*MQ..*_ga*MTg4MzU1NDU4Ni4xNzI3MzM3NDMz*_ga_B0DGSN463N*MTcyNzMzNzQzMi4xLjAuMTcyNzMzNzQzMi4wLjAuMTkyNzcxMzQ0Nw.." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">On the market for £500,000</a>.</figcaption></figure>



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



<p><a href="https://growingstarspreschool.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Growing Stars Pre-School</a> is in the village, as is <a href="https://www.marstonmoreteyneschool.org/topic/chimneytots-preschool" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chimneytots Pre-school</a> at Marston Moreteyene VC School. There&#8217;s also a Pre-school at <a href="https://thomasjohnsonschool.co.uk/">Thomas Johnson Lower Schoo</a>l, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/stewartby/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stewartby Pre-school</a>, and <a href="https://marstondaynursery.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Marston Day Nursery</a> for younger starters. </p>



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



<p>For Primary, there&#8217;s <a href="https://www.marstonmoreteyneschool.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Marston Moreteyne VC School</a> in the village, as well as<a href="https://thomasjohnsonschool.co.uk/"> Thomas Johnson Lower School</a> in Lidlington and <a href="https://www.broadmeadlower.beds.sch.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Broadmead Lower School</a> in Stewartby &#8211; all of which are rated Ofsted Good. As for Secondary, there&#8217;s <a href="https://www.woottonupper.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wootton Upper School</a> and Kimberley <a href="https://www.kimberleycollege.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sixth Form College</a>–- both rated Good, as well as <a href="https://wixamsacademy.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wixams Academy</a>. </p>



<p>For independent schooling you&#8217;ll be within easy reach of strong clutch of Bedford schools: <a href="https://herts.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/bedford-girls-school/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bedford Girls&#8217; School</a>, <a href="https://herts.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/bedford-school/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bedford School</a> and <a href="https://www.bedmod.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bedford Modern</a> to name a few. Plus <a href="https://www.orchardschool.org.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Orchard School and Nursery</a> isn&#8217;t too far, in nearby Barton-le-Clay.  </p>



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



<p>If the name of this Bedfordshire village sounds familiar it probably is&#8230; cast your mind back to lockdown when Captain Sir Tom made the history books by raising millions for the NHS by walking round his garden. Well, that garden, and Sir Tom&#8217;s home, The Old Rectory, is right here in Marston Moretaine. What&#8217;s more, it&#8217;s currently on the market and you can claim your little piece of history for a sweet £2.25m! </p>



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



<p>The perfect base for those working in Bedford or Milton Keynes – doable in 20 mins drive to both. The Millbrook Railway Station is a mile out of the village and the Marston Vale line runs between Bletchley and Bedford (where you can change for a direct train to London). There are also bus routes from the village into Bedford.</p>



<p>Featured image: Millbrook Station. Flickr / Peter O Connor</p>



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


Marston Moretaine

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