Where is Bedfordshire?
Bedfordshire is a county in the East of England. It has a population of around half a million people and occupies an area of approximately 1,600 km2. It is bordered by Cambridgeshire to the East, Northamptonshire to the South and West, Hertfordshire to the south-west and London (Greater London) to the southwest.
Areas in Bedfordshire
Bedfordshire is famous for its historic county town, Bedford. There are also numerous towns in this area that are popular with home buyers, including Ampthill, Biggleswade, Leighton Buzzard and Sandy.
Bedford – Bedford is the county town of Bedfordshire and one of the most popular destinations in the area for those looking to buy a home. With its excellent range of local amenities, good schools and strong transport links, Bedford is perfect for those who want to be close to everything they need.
Ampthill – situated in the north of Bedfordshire, Ampthill is home to a large number of businesses, has a thriving community and is popular with home buyers looking for a town with plenty of amenities.
Biggleswade – located in the east of Bedfordshire, Biggleswade is a market town that is attracting an increasing number of home buyers because of its good transport links and range of local amenities, making it a popular commuter town for those looking for easy access to the larger towns and cities in the area.
Leighton Buzzard – situated in the south of Bedfordshire, Leighton Buzzard is a very popular location for homebuyers because of its excellent transport links to London and other major UK cities. As well as being close to Luton Airport, this town has an incredibly rich history in aviation which continues today with the presence of local engineering firm Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group.
Sandy – located in the north of Bedfordshire, Sandy is a market town that is home to a number of small businesses and independent retailers. It also has good transport links to both Luton Airport and Cambridge, making it an ideal location for those looking for easy access to both urban and rural areas.
Universities in Bedfordshire
Bedfordshire is home to The University of Bedfordshire, which is primarily based in Luton and Bedford. It offers a range of courses, most notably within the field of engineering and technology.
The Bedford campus of The University of Bedfordshire also offers a number of teacher training courses, making it an attractive choice for those looking to start their teaching career.
Top Schools in Bedfordshire
There are a number of excellent schools located throughout Bedfordshire, many of which have been awarded ‘outstanding’ ratings by Ofsted. The most notable schools include:
Ranelagh School for girls – located in Leighton Buzzard, the Ranelagh School for girls is a highly respected independent school that offers excellent academic results
The Priory School – located in Bedford, The Priory School is a co-educational comprehensive school that has been awarded an ‘outstanding’ rating by Ofsted for its provision of secondary education
Biddenham International School – also located in Bedford, Biddenham International School is a co-educational day and boarding school which offers an international curriculum with a focus on English, Maths and Science
Queens’ College for boys – located in Bedford, Queens’ College offers a traditional all-boys education with the option of boarding. The school has been ranked as one of the top 100 co-educational independent schools for GCSE results by the Sunday Times
Population of Bedfordshire
As of the 2019 census, Bedfordshire has a population of 669,338, mostly centred around the county’s main towns and cities, such as Bedford and Leighton Buzzard. Bedfordshire is the tenth most populous county in England.
