Toddington, Bedfordshire
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Toddington | |
  Toddington shown within Bedfordshire |
|
| Population | 4,195 |
|---|---|
| OS grid reference | |
| Parish | Toddington |
| District | South Bedfordshire |
| Shire county | Bedfordshire |
| Region | East |
| Constituent country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | DUNSTABLE |
| Postcode district | LU5 |
| Dialling code | 01525 |
| Police | Bedfordshire |
| Fire | Bedfordshire and Luton |
| Ambulance | East of England |
| European Parliament | East of England |
| UK Parliament | Mid Bedfordshire |
| List of places: UK • England • Bedfordshire | |
Toddington is a large village in the county of Bedfordshire, England which is situated 5 miles NNW of Luton, 4 miles (6 km) north of Dunstable, 6 miles (10 km) south west of Woburn and 35 miles NNW of London on the A5120 and B579. It is 0.5 miles from Junction 12 of the M1 motorway and lends its name to the nearby service station.
It is situated near the motorway and many larger towns, however is built around a large village green, on which sits the parish church and four of the village's seven public houses. The Dunstable Northern Bypass is due to be built in 2008, taking heavy traffic bound for Dunstable from the M1 away from the village. A large-scale housebuilding programme has been proposed by the Deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott for the environs of Luton, Dunstable and Milton Keynes, and proposals to build a 20,000 seater football stadium in the vicinity.
Many of the population commute to London for work using First Capital Connect rail services from Harlington and Leagrave. Toddington has benefited greatly from the recent rise in house prices due to its reputation as a quiet English village and the easy commute into London. The Icknield Way Path passes through the village.
For local government purposes it is in the South Bedfordshire District, but unlike the rest of the district it is in the Mid-Bedfordshire parliamentary constituency, represented since 5 May 2005 by the Conservative MP Nadine Dorries.
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[edit] Amenities
There are five churches, Church of England (St George), Anglican, Methodist, Baptist, and a Christian Fellowship.
Toddington has a selection of public houses. These include;
- The Sow and Pigs
- The Red Lion
- The Bedford Arms
- The Oddfellows Arms
- The Angel
- The Griffin
- The Bell
- The Fancott Arms
(Formerly, there was The Nag's Head)
Toddington also has a selection of shops and other businesses including:
- A Co-op
- two Chinese Takeway restaurants
- an Indian Restaurant
- two general stores.
- An opticians
- Toddington Fisheries (owned by the Lydons)
The nearest mainline rail station is Harlington (Beds) which is located in the nearby village of Harlington and is served by First Capital Connect. From Harlington station, you can travel north to Flitwick and Bedford, or south to Luton, Luton Airport Parkway, St Albans, London, Gatwick Airport and Brighton.
[edit] Schools
The village is served by two schools, Toddington St George Lower School and Parkfields Middle School which provide education for children aged between 5 and 13 years of age. After year 8, children are transferred to Harlington Upper School located in the nearby village of Harlington.
[edit] Geography
Toddington is situated on a chalky plateau which rises up to 100ft above the other Mid-Bedfordshire villages (e.g. Westoning, Harlington, Flitwick).
[edit] Other information
Elizabeth I is reputed to have stayed in Toddington Manor. William Blake is said to have drunk at the Angel.[citation needed]
[edit] External links
- National Hedgelaying Association
- St George's church
- Toddington Town Band
- Poetry Society
- Tennis Club
- Residents Association Website
- Toddington Manor's Head Gardener
- Toddington Scout Group
