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Town in Bedfordshire, England
Photo: Thomas Nugent, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Luton is a large town in Bedfordshire, some 35 mi north of London. It's a multicultural town with a population of about 200,000. It used to have a straw and hat-making trade, hence "The Hatters" nickname of Luton football club; a couple of factories remain along the Old Bedford Road. Luton later produced Vauxhall cars and Whitbread beers, but little of these remain. Most people only come here for London Luton Airport, a major hub for budget & charter flights. The airport is described below but the focus of this page is the town itself.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
Stockwood Park Museum
This was George Bernard Shaw's home and is now owned by the National Trust.
Restored and reopened in 2008. Although always referred to as a castle, it was a 15th-century fortified manor house. Just outside town, close to the airport.
"The Hatters" were relegated in 2024 then again in 2025 and now play soccer in League One, the third tier. Their Kenilworth Road stadium (capacity 10,500) is a mile northwest of town centre.
Contains pleasant lake (to feed the ducks) and gardens plus the Luton Museum and Art Gallery, is housed in a large Victorian mansion in Wardown Park on the outskirts of the town centre.
Another pleasant, quiet space to picnic and enjoy when there is nice weather. In case of rain, the Stockwood Discovery Centre, houses the unique Mossman Horse-Drawn Carriage Collection as well displaying local rural crafts and trades
A bar and club by night, but during the day it serves up reasonably-priced, semi-Italian cuisine.
Indian restaurant with delicious and affordable food; to get an incredibly-priced buffet, go for lunch or on Sunday evenings.
listed in the accommodation section below
Varied menus, including British classics, Mediterranean food and seafood. Portions are generous and booking in advance is a good idea. A great range of food is also available at the bar. The mix of Victorian surroundings and unobtrusive modern touches make this place stand out in a town that many consider a desert for foodies. The main restaurant is closed on Sunday evenings.
Authentic Italian family-run restaurant. Huge portions and great value, a proper little piece of Italy in the heart of Luton.
Very friendly atmosphere, complete with a fireplace, armchairs, and bookshelves lining the walls.
Victorian family-run hotel with restaurant and four-poster beds.
Arndale centre
was the largest indoor shopping centre in Europe when it was opened in 1971, and it includes a large indoor market.
By train
Luton has three railway stations, one in the town centre, one close to the airport and one towards the north of the town.
By car
Luton is easily accessible by car about 5 minutes from the M1 junctions 10 and 11, travelling from the south/London and the north respectively.
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Luton, Luton · International · LTN
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