How it rates
The Mayor of Leighton Buzzard once complained that 70 per cent of residents did nothing but sleep in this Bedfordshire market town. The Government’s plans to revive market towns by demanding thousands of new homes (in Leighton Buzzard’s case, building them at the rate of 400 a year), have not helped and in June’s local elections not one Labour candidate was elected, as residents called for more control over housing policy. Many say that there is not enough infrastructure to support an influx of residents. However, the arrival of new restaurants, shops and fancier pubs has been welcomed and Londoners still flock here for the cheap houses and fast commute.
Architectural gems
The centre is a maze of medieval streets, with a 15th-century market cross in the main square. The 13th-century All Saints Church, in Church Square, has some impressive stained-glass windows.
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Billington Park and Sandhills were begun almost a decade ago but the latter is still not finished; second-hand two-bedrooms sell for £130,000 and there are new-builds to come. Lecton Place on King Street is one of several new-builds in the centre: one-bedroom flats start at £114,995 (01525 372588). Catina Court on Stanbridge Road has one-bedroom flats from £127,500 (0845 6762522).
Travel
Fast trains reach London Euston in 33 minutes, Milton Keynes in 12 minutes and Luton in just over an hour. The A5 is near by and the M1 about ten miles away.
Quality of life
Calm except for weekend nights in the town centre, according to one resident. Amenities have improved, with a Waitrose, Tesco and Morrisons. Dunstable Downs has beautiful walks.
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Smartest streets
Plantation Road is known as Bedfordshire’s Golden Mile. Meandering up around the golf course north of the town, it is a quiet, leafy road dotted with Leighton Buzzard’s most expensive properties. A detached four-bedroom house costs upwards of £600,000. Nearby streets such as Heath Court and Redwood Glade are also popular.
Restaurants
There are a few good Italians, including Mama Rosa’s and Martini, and lots of curry houses: the best is The Akash. There is a pleasant lack of chains, although there is now an Ask, in the Old Fire Station in Market Square, and a Costa.
Entertainment
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Pubs abound but the majority are “for the under-25s”, according to one resident. But the Black Lion and the Golden Bell are more old-fashioned and nearby villages such as Ivinghoe have lots of quainter pubs. Leighton Buzzard Theatre has plays and music events, as well as a small cinema. There’s lots to entertain children, including nearby Mead Open Farm and a 90-year-old steam train line.
Education
There are two upper schools, Vandyke and Cedars. Both have good reputations, although Cedars’ sixth form is considered slightly better. There are lower and middle schools within walking distance from most residential areas.
Upside
Bargain properties, relaxed pace of life, beautiful countryside.
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Downside
Not much going on for the late twenties/early thirties crowd. Some residents feel that the regeneration is happening too fast.