Bedfordshire Postcodes — England (ENG)

Bedfordshire Geographical Description

Bedfordshire, a physical and historical entity in the southeasterly Midlands of England, was once an administrative county. Central Bedfordshire and South Bedfordshire were merged with the city of Bedford to form a new unitary authority in 2009, after the administrative county was dissolved. As a component of Bedfordshire, the unitary county of Luton can be found.

Although its boundary differs in three places from the former administrative county, the historic county is otherwise highly consistent with the physical county in terms of area. Linslade, in central Bedfordshire, is a part of historic Buckinghamshire, while Sandy and the surrounding area are in Cambridgeshire. The town of Eaton Socon is in the Huntingdonshire district of the modern county of Cambridgeshire, but it was formerly a part of Bedfordshire.

Bedfordshire has been populated for a very long time. In the early Bronze Age, a group of people known as the Beaker migrated from the eastern Mediterranean to the Ouse valley (about 1800 BCE). During the Roman domination (1st-5th century CE), Dunstable (Roman Durocobrivae) served as a key route center in the county's southern region. Waves of invaders, especially the Anglo-Saxons and the Danes, flooded the country after the Romans abandoned it (who actually established Bedford). 

History

It was originally used in reference to Bedfordshire (1011) as "Bedanfordscir," a name derived from the locational name Beda's ford (river crossing).

Nine hundreds (Barford, Biggleswade, Clifton, Flitt, Manshead, Redbornestoke, Stodden, Willey, and Wixamtree) and the liberty and borough of Bedford made constituted the historic county of Bedfordshire.

The line between Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire changed in 1897, when Kensworth and a small section of Caddington were transferred to Bedfordshire.

The "Bedfordshire clanger," a suet-crust pastry stuffed with meat at one end and fruit preserve at the other, is a favorite local delicacy. The traditional field worker lunch served two purposes: to prevent any food from going to waste and to supply a sufficient amount of calories.

Named for the grainy chocolate filling that's designed to resemble the texture of toothpaste, Chocolate Toothpaste tarts are a sort of chocolate tart.

Geography

The county's southern region is situated on the chalk ridge known as the Chiltern Hills. The Great Ouse and its tributaries drain the remaining area. Sandstones, clays, and limestone from the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods make up the majority of Bedfordshire's geology. The local clay in the Marston Vale has been used to create bricks in the Fletton style. Gravel, which is made of hard flint nodules eroded from chalk, was mined for profit from pits that are now lakes in Priory Country Park, Wyboston, and Felmersham. Near Leighton Buzzard and ending near Gamlingay, the Greensand Ridge is a prominent escarpment in Cambridgeshire.

Climate

Bedfordshire has a dry climate because of its position in the eastern portion of the country. The average annual rainfall in Bedford is 597.6 millimeters (23.53 inches). As the wettest month, October receives 62.5 mm (2.46 in) of precipitation, while the driest month, February, receives only 36.7 mm (1.42 in) (1.44 in). There isn't much of a seasonal difference, but spring and summer are when the heaviest rains and most frequent floods occur, and fall and winter have more wet days than spring and summer (such the ones that occurred on Easter in 1998).

Nighttime lows in Bedford average 0.3 degrees Celsius (33.4 degrees Fahrenheit) in February, while daytime highs average 22.1 degrees Celsius (71.8 degrees Fahrenheit) in July.

Economy

Bedfordshire is home to the primary operations or headquarters of some recognizable British and international companies. Biggleswade is home to Jordans Cereals, whereas Sandy is home to Kier Group and Kingspan Timber Solutions, and Bedford is home to Autoglass, Boxclever, and Charles Wells Pubs. A number of major corporations have their headquarters in Luton, including EasyJet, Impellam, TUI Airways, and Vauxhall Motors. And while Costa Coffee has relocated to Dunstable from Houghton Regis, Whitbread calls Houghton Regis home. Toddington is home to Moto Hospitality, which operates out of a service station, and UltraVision can be found in the town of Leighton Buzzard, not far away.

Tourism

Bedfordshire is a county in the East of England. It is known for its beautiful countryside, historic buildings, and a variety of attractions. 

Things to do in Bedfordshire:

Visit Woburn Abbey: Woburn Abbey is a stately home that is located in Woburn, Bedfordshire. It is one of the grandest houses in England and is open to the public. Visitors can tour the house and gardens, and see a variety of animals, including deer, lions, and tigers.

Explore Whipsnade Zoo: Whipsnade Zoo is a zoo that is located in Whipsnade, Bedfordshire. It is one of the largest zoos in Europe and is home to over 4,000 animals from all over the world. Visitors can take a safari bus through the zoo and see elephants, rhinos, giraffes, and other animals in their natural habitats.

Visit Bletchley Park: Bletchley Park is a historic house and museum that is located in Bletchley, Bedfordshire. It was the site of the British codebreaking effort during World War II. Visitors can tour the house and museum and learn about the history of codebreaking.

Visit Shuttleworth: Shuttleworth is a museum of vintage aircraft and cars. It is located in Old Warden, Bedfordshire. Visitors can tour the museum and see a variety of vintage aircraft and cars, including Spitfires, Lancasters, and Bentleys.

Visit Stockwood Discovery Centre: Stockwood Discovery Centre is a museum that is located in Luton, Bedfordshire. It has a collection of over 100,000 objects, including archaeological finds, art, and natural history specimens. Visitors can tour the museum and learn about the history of Bedfordshire.

Visit Wardown Park Museum and Gallery: Wardown Park Museum and Gallery is a museum and art gallery that is located in Luton, Bedfordshire. It has a collection of over 50,000 objects, including archaeological finds, art, and natural history specimens. Visitors can tour the museum and gallery and learn about the history of Bedfordshire.

Visit Bedford Castle: Bedford Castle is a castle that is located in Bedford, Bedfordshire. It was built in the 11th century and is now a ruin. Visitors can walk around the ruins of the castle and learn about its history.

Visit Dunstable Downs: Dunstable Downs is a chalk escarpment that is located in Dunstable, Bedfordshire. It is a popular spot for walking, hiking, and birdwatching. Visitors can enjoy the views from the top of the Downs and see a variety of wildlife.

Visit Houghton House: Houghton House is a country house that is located in Houghton Regis, Bedfordshire. It was built in the 18th century and is now a museum. Visitors can tour the house and gardens, and see a collection of art and furniture.

Visit Priory Country Park: Priory Country Park is a country park that is located in Bedford, Bedfordshire. It has a variety of attractions, including a lake, a playground, and a woodland area. Visitors can enjoy a walk or bike ride around the park, or have a picnic by the lake.

Visit the Willington Dovecote: The Willington Dovecote is a dovecote that is located in Willington, Bedfordshire. It was built in the 16th century and is now a museum. Visitors can tour the dovecote and learn about its history.

Visit the Pavenham Maze: The Pavenham Maze is a maize maze that is located in Pavenham, Bedfordshire. It is a popular attraction for families and can be enjoyed by people of all ages.