Dunstable

Dunstable is a market town in Bedfordshire, England, in the Central Bedfordshire district. It lies about five miles north of Luton and roughly 30 miles northwest of London. It sits on the chalk hills of the Chilterns and is adjacent to Dunstable Downs, a well-known landscape feature with long-distance views of the surrounding countryside.

Historically, Dunstable developed around a monastery and a market; it received a market charter in the medieval period and grew as a regional center. The remains of the Dunstable Priory and other historic buildings mark its medieval heritage, while the town’s High Street contains period and later shops. The surrounding downs and countryside are used for recreation and walking.

In the modern era, Dunstable functions as a retail and service center for nearby towns. Its economy includes local retail, light industry, and logistics, aided by its proximity to the M1 motorway and the London-Luton Airport corridor. The town hosts a regular market and has several schools and community facilities.

Transport and governance: The town is connected by major roads, including the A5 and the M1 corridor; the nearest railway stations are in Leighton Buzzard and Luton. Dunstable formerly had its own railway station, which closed in the 1960s. Administratively, it was part of Bedfordshire and since 2009 has been within the Central Bedfordshire unitary authority.