Bedfordshire County Council
County Hall
Cauldwell St
Bedford
MK42 9AP
County Town: Bedford
Population: 537,000
Area : 477 Sq miles, 1,236 Sq km
Principal Towns: Luton, Bedford, Dunstable
Good For: Ideal day trips to London, driving distance of Shakespeare and Birmingham
With its southern borders only 30 miles from London, the county of Bedfordshire is the gateway to the Midlands and East Anglia. Set in a rich rural landscape, the county is an attractive place to live, work and visit.
Overall, Bedfordshire has a population of about 560,000. Bedfordshire County Council provides services for a population of about 380,000 with a fifth living in the historic county town of Bedford, which lies on the River Great Ouse. In 1997 Bedfordshire’s largest town, Luton, became a unitary local authority.
There are many areas of outstanding natural beauty and attractions, which include stately homes and gardens, woodland walks and nature reserves, country parks and world-famous animal parks. The county enjoys excellent transport links to London, the north and beyond.