landmark
ZSL Whipsnade Zoo
The UK's largest zoo set across 600 acres of Bedfordshire parkland with drive-through animal enclosures.
9 km · about 15 min drive
EuropeUnited KingdomEngland
Luton
England, United Kingdom · Europe
About Luton
Luton works well as a base: 10 minutes from Markyate, 9km from ZSL Whipsnade Zoo.
Luton is in England, United Kingdom, with about 230,000 people. You drive on the left here. The nearest town is Markyate, about 6 km away.
Luton ( ) is a town and borough in Bedfordshire, England. The borough had a population of 225,262 at the 2021 census.
Luton is on the River Lea, about 32 miles (50 km) north-west of London. The town's foundation dates to the sixth century as a Saxon settlement on the river, from which Luton derives its name. LutonRead more
is recorded in the Domesday Book as Loitone and Lintone. One of the largest churches in Bedfordshire, St Mary's Church, was built in the 12th century. There are local museums which explore Luton's history in Wardown Park and Stockwood Park.
Luton was once known for hatmaking and became a centre for the British motor industry with the establishment of the Vauxhall Motors factory in 1905. Car production at the Luton plant continued until 2002. Thereafter, the site focused on commercial vehicle manufacturing which in turn came to an end in 2025. London Luton Airport opened in 1938 and is now one of Britain's major airports, with three railway stations also in the town. The University of Bedfordshire was created from a merger with the University of Luton; two of its campuses are in Luton. Since 1997, Luton Borough Council has been a unitary authority, performing all local government functions in the borough.
Luton Town Football Club, nicknamed the Hatters, due to the town's connection to hatmaking, has had several spells in the top flight of the English league as well as a Football League Cup triumph in 1988. They play at Kenilworth Road, their home since 1905, with a larger stadium in the town centre at Power Court currently under construction. Luton International Carnival, the largest one-day carnival in Europe, is held on the day before the last Monday in May; the Saint Patrick's festival is held on the weekend nearest to Saint Patrick's Day as there is a large Irish community in Luton. The town also has a large Pakistani community which, along with the Irish, were attracted to employment at the Vauxhall car plant. Luton Hoo is an English country house, estate and Grade I listed building originally designed by Scottish architect Robert Adam but later transformed to the designs of Robert Smirke.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Luton?
Within an hour or so of Luton: ZSL Whipsnade Zoo (9 km), Caffeine & Machine: The Bowl (20 km), Warner Bros. Studio Tour London - Making of Harry Potter (21 km), Bletchley Park (26 km).
Are there any good drives near Luton?
The nearest famous roads are Crystal Palace Circuit, Goodwood Festival of Speed and Rhinefield Ornamental Drive.
Where is Luton?
Luton is in England, United Kingdom, about 6 km from Markyate.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 225,262
- Continent
- Europe
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Region
- England
- Timezone
- Europe/London
- Coordinates
- 51.8797, -0.4175
Emergency & Services
Essential numbers in United Kingdom
112 also works. NHS non-emergency medical advice: 111. National Highways breakdown assistance on motorways: 0300 123 5000.
Full driving guide for United KingdomTags
Worth the detour from Luton
8 notable places within an hour's drive.
cafe
Caffeine & Machine: The Bowl
The Bedfordshire location set in a dramatic former quarry bowl, opened in 2023 as the brand's third venue.
20 km · about 25 min drive
film location
Warner Bros. Studio Tour London - Making of Harry Potter
The Leavesden studios where all eight films were shot; the tour preserves the original Great Hall, Diagon Alley and Hogwarts Express sets.
21 km · about 25 min drive
museum
Bletchley Park
Victorian estate where Alan Turing and thousands of codebreakers cracked the German Enigma cipher, arguably shortening WWII by years. Restored huts, working Bombe machine, and the National Museum of Computing next door.
26 km · about 30 min drive
landmark
Aston Martin Works Heritage
The spiritual home of Aston Martin at the original Newport Pagnell factory, offering heritage servicing, restoration, and sales.
31 km · about 35 min drive
film location
Burnham Beeches (Robin Hood, Harry Potter, Sleepy Hollow)
The ancient pollarded beech woodland close to Pinewood Studios is one of Britain's most-filmed forests.
38 km · about 45 min drive
cafe
Ace Cafe London
The 1938 North Circular roadside cafe that became the home of the ton-up boys and rocker culture, reopened on its original site in 1997 and still holding weekly bike and classic car meets.
39 km · about 45 min drive
cafe
High Beach Tea Hut
A simple roadside tea hut in Epping Forest that has been a legendary biker gathering spot for decades.
40 km · about 45 min drive
Driving in United Kingdom
- Drives on
- the left
- Petrol
- ~€1.73/litre
- Motorway tolls
- None
When to drive here
April to October
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