landmark
Santa Pod Raceway
Europe's premier drag racing venue in Northamptonshire, hosting iconic events like the FIA European Finals and Flame & Thunder.
2 km · about 5 min drive
EuropeUnited KingdomEngland
Podington
England, United Kingdom · Europe
About Podington
Podington works well as a base: 10 minutes from Rushden, 2km from Santa Pod Raceway.
Podington is in England, United Kingdom, with about 435 people. You drive on the left here. The nearest town is Rushden, about 4 km away.
Podington is a village and civil parish in Bedfordshire, England, United Kingdom. The village is within the electoral ward of Harrold in the Borough of Bedford. Podington lies around 16 km (9.9 mi) northwest of Bedford and is about 2 km (1.2 mi) east of the county border with Northamptonshire.
Podington is a smallRead more
picturesque rural village; many of its buildings are stone cottages dating from the 18th century or before.
Podington was included in the Domesday Book 1086, with a population of 29 households; prominent landowners included Walter of Flanders, Hugh of Flanders and William Peverer.
The community was recorded as "Podintone" and "Potintone" from the 13th century and later as "Puddington". Today it is sometimes spelt (or misspelt) "Poddington". Located around 3 km (1.9 mi) southeast of the village are RAF Podington and Santa Pod Raceway. Hinwick House is found at a crossroads under 1 km (0.62 mi) south of the village.
Church of St Mary is a Grade I listed church in Podington. It became a listed building on 13 July 1964. Some surviving architectural elements date back at least to the early 13th century. A 1912 report about the church indicated that it had a chancel, nave, north aisle, south aisle, south porch and west tower. The south arcade of the nave, the north arcade the chancel and tower were all dated to the 13th century.
Mary I of England gave the manor to one of her servants George Brediman in 1557. Richard Orlebar, the High Sheriff for Bedfordshire and his wife, the culinary writer Diana Astry, were both buried at this church in the 1700s. They had been the owners of Hinwick House.
The church's pipe organ was restored by the 92nd Bomb Group Memorial Association. The 92nd group had been stationed at the RAF Podington airfield during WW II and flew nearly 300 operational missions from that base.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Podington?
Within an hour or so of Podington: Santa Pod Raceway (2 km), Drayton House (Saltburn) (18 km), Aston Martin Works Heritage (20 km), Caffeine & Machine: The Bowl (24 km).
Are there any good drives near Podington?
The nearest famous roads are Crystal Palace Circuit, Monsal Trail and A54 Congleton to Buxton.
Where is Podington?
Podington is in England, United Kingdom, about 4 km from Rushden.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 435
- Continent
- Europe
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Region
- England
- Timezone
- Europe/London
- Coordinates
- 52.2542, -0.6246
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 Podington
8 notable places within an hour's drive.
film location
Drayton House (Saltburn)
The private Northamptonshire country house used as the Catton family estate in Saltburn; visible from public rights of way only.
18 km · about 20 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.
20 km · about 25 min 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.
24 km · about 30 min drive
cafe
Super Sausage Cafe
Legendary transport cafe on the A5 Watling Street near Potterspury, a favourite fry-up stop for bikers and classic car runs heading between London and the Midlands since the 1960s.
27 km · about 30 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.
30 km · about 35 min drive
racetrack
Silverstone Circuit
The home of British motorsport, hosting the first ever F1 World Championship race in 1950
33 km · about 40 min drive
museum
The Silverstone Experience
Immersive museum at the home of British motorsport telling the story of the past, present, and future of racing.
34 km · about 40 min drive
Driving roads near Podington
6 named roads, passes and coastal drives within 150km.
- 50 kmThe Backs, CambridgeThe famous riverside meadows behind the Cambridge colleges, offering iconic views of King's College Chapel, the Bridge of Sighs and punts on the Cam.
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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