Located in the extreme south-west of Bedfordshire, the ancient
market towns of Leighton Buzzard and Linslade cover almost six and
a half square miles. The larger town of Leighton  Buzzard
is situated on the east side of the River Ouzel and the smaller
town, Linslade, on the west; Old Linslade lies in a bend of the
river further to the north.
Although planned growth and town expansion programmes have seen
the population rise to approximately 38,000 for 2008, Leighton Buzzard
and Linslade retains much of its historic atmosphere.
The town is situated on the Bedfordshire / Buckinghamshire / Hertfordshire
borders, which makes it ideally placed as a base for exploring an
area that is surrounded by attractive and diverse countryside. Mixed
woodlands and heaths can be found to the north whilst river scenery
runs between the town centres.
The Chiltern Hills rise over 800 feet between the nearby towns of
Dunstable and Tring, giving beautiful panoramic views across the
 countryside.
The popular commercial centre of Milton Keynes is within 9 miles
and London is just 39 miles away.
Leighton Buzzard offers a wide range of shops in an attractive setting.
A network of streets and shopping mews lead into Market Square,
where the 19th century former Moot Hall and a fine 15th century
market cross are located. The splendid broad High Street, with many
interesting buildings, leads to Church Square and the Medieval All
Saints’ Church.
There is a busy market in the High Street on Tuesdays and Saturdays
and a popular Farmers Market, serving local produce, is held on
the third Saturday of each month.
Leighton Buzzard is known for its links with author Mary Norton,
who wrote the popular children’s books series Bedknobs and
Broomsticks and The Borrowers. Also for its ‘friendly little
line’ The Leighton Buzzard Railway, which is probably the
only substantial survivor of the large number of two foot gauge
light railways built in  Britain
for industrial use. The Railway offers a 70-minute round trip from
Page’s Park to Stonehenge Works, on a track that is just under
three miles long.
Town events, which include an annual heritage day, canal festival
and summer season of band concerts, add colour and interest to the
life of the town. There is an active arts community which ensures
residents and visitors have access to a regular programme of live
music, dance and drama, much of which is performed in Leighton Buzzard
Theatre, located in Lake Street.
Leighton Buzzard and Linslade has much to attract the day visitor
and is a great place in which to live and work.
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