Luton

{{Main|History of Luton}}

Luton is believed to have been founded by the Anglo-Saxons sometime in the 6th century.{{cite web|url= http://www.localhistories.org/luton.html |title= Early history of Luton|website=Localhistories.org|access-date= 16 June 2008}} Its name first appears in the 8th century as Lygetun, meaning "town on the River Lea".{{cite book |last=Ekwall |first=Eilert |title=The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Place-Names |date=1947 |location=Oxford |publisher=The Clarendon Press |page=293 |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.184064/page/n338}}

The Domesday Book records Luton as Loitone and as Lintone. Agriculture dominated the local economy at that time, and the town's population was around 700 to 800.{{Cite web|url=http://www.localhistories.org/luton.html|title=A History of Luton|website=Localhistories.org|date=14 March 2021}}

File:StMarysLuton.jpg, Luton town centre]]

File:Wenlock chapel, Luton.jpg

In 1121 Robert, 1st Earl of Gloucester started work on St Mary's Church in the centre of the town. The work was completed by 1137.{{cite web |url= http://stmarysluton.org/page2.html |title= History of St Mary's Church |access-date= 16 June 2008 |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080628044417/http://stmarysluton.org/page2.html |archive-date= 28 June 2008 }} A motte-and-bailey castle which gives its name to the modern Castle Street was built in 1139 but demolished by 1154.{{cite web|url=http://www.shoutluton.com/page8.html |title=Luton Castle only lasted 15 years |access-date=16 June 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110101084952/http://www.shoutluton.com/page8.html |archive-date=1 January 2011 }}

The hat making industry began in the 17th century and became synonymous with the town.{{cite web|url=http://www.galaxy.bedfordshire.gov.uk/webingres/luton/0.local/hat_plaiting.htm |publisher=Luton Libraries |work=Plaiting and Straw Hat Making |title=A history hat making in Luton |access-date=18 June 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130527182358/http://www.galaxy.bedfordshire.gov.uk/webingres/luton/0.local/hat_plaiting.htm |archive-date=27 May 2013 }}{{Cite web|url=https://historicengland.org.uk/images-books/publications/hat-industry-luton-buildings/hat-industry-luton-and-buildings/|title=The Hat Industry of Luton and its Buildings|website=English Heritage|quote=Long before it became associated with motor cars, Luton was well established as an international centre of hat making. More specifically, Luton was the main centre of ladies' hat production in the UK for over 200 years ... This success was founded on the earlier regional industry of straw plaiting, an occupation that was well established by the late 17th century}}

File:11 to 19 George Street, Luton.jpg

The town grew: in 1801 the population was 3,095,{{cite web|url=http://www.localhistories.org/luton.html|title=Population figures for 1801, 1901 and 1901 |access-date=16 June 2008}} but by 1850 it was over 10,000 and by 1901 it was almost 39,000.

Newspaper printing arrived in the town in 1854. The first public cemetery was opened in the same year and Luton was made a borough in 1876.{{cite web| url=http://www.localhistories.org/luton.html|title=Luton was made a borough|access-date=16 June 2008}}

Luton's hat trade reached its peak in the 1930s,{{cite web|url=https://content.historicengland.org.uk/images-books/publications/hat-industry-luton-buildings/hat-industry-luton-and-buildings.pdf/|title=The Hat Industry of Luton and its Buildings|date=2013|publisher=Historic England|access-date=23 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180124135612/https://content.historicengland.org.uk/images-books/publications/hat-industry-luton-buildings/hat-industry-luton-and-buildings.pdf/|archive-date=24 January 2018|url-status=dead}} but severely declined after the Second World War and was replaced by other industries.

In 1907, Vauxhall Motors opened the largest car plant in the United Kingdom in Luton, during the Second World War, it built Churchill tanks{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/threecounties/peoples_war/vauxhall_tanks.shtml |title=Churchill Tanks at Vauxhall |publisher=BBC |access-date=17 March 2013}} as part of the war effort. Despite heavy camouflage, the factory made Luton a target for the Luftwaffe and the town suffered a number of air raids. 107 died{{cite web|url=http://www.localhistories.org/luton.html |title=Deaths during WWII |website=Localhistories.org |access-date=17 March 2013}} and there was extensive damage to the town (over 1,500 homes were damaged or destroyed).

File:LutonTownHallOld.JPG was destroyed in 1919]]

The original town hall was destroyed in 1919 during Peace Day celebrations at the end of the First World War. Dr. John G. Dony, author of The Flora of Bedfordshire,{{Cite journal|url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/part/170088|title=Flora of Bedfordshire by John G. Dony|first=Jean|last=Langenheim|date=4 May 1954|journal=Madroño; a West American journal of botany.|volume=12|pages=223}} told his history students (he taught at Luton Grammar, predecessor of Luton Sixth Form College) in the 1950s that he had broken the last intact window of the old town hall during the 1919 riots. Local people, including many ex-servicemen, were unhappy with unemployment and had been refused the use of a local park to hold celebratory events. They stormed the town hall, setting it alight (see Luton Town Hall). A replacement building was completed in 1936.

Luton Borough Corporation had provided the borough with electricity since the early twentieth century from Luton power station, located adjacent to the railway. Upon nationalisation of the electricity industry in 1948 ownership passed to the British Electricity Authority and later to the Central Electricity Generating Board. Electricity connections to the national grid rendered the 23 megawatt (MW) coal and latterly oil-fired power station redundant. The station had a single chimney and two reinforced concrete cooling towers.{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/ltfc_1885/status/730868016032944128|title=Luton town centre with the old cooling towers|date=12 May 2016|via=Twitter|access-date=3 February 2020}} The power station closed in 1968; in its final year of operation it delivered 3,192 MWh of electricity to the borough.CEGB Statistical Yearbook 1968, CEGB, London

Luton Airport opened in 1938, owned and operated by the council. It is now one of the largest employers in the area.

The pre-war years, were something of an economic boom for Luton, as new industries grew and prospered. New private and council housing was built in the 1920s and 1930s, with Luton starting to incorporate nearby villages Leagrave, Limbury and Stopsley between 1928 and 1933.{{cite web|url=http://www.localhistories.org/luton.html |title=A History of Luton |website=Localhistories.org |access-date=17 March 2013}}

Post-war, a number of substantial estates of council housing were built, notably at Farley Hill, Stopsley, Limbury, Marsh Farm and Leagrave (Hockwell Ring). The Marsh Farm area of the town was developed in the mid to late 1960s as a large council housing estate, mostly to house the overspill population from London. However, the estate gained a reputation for high levels of crime, poverty and unemployment, which culminated in a riot on the estate in July 1992 and another more serious riot three years later.{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/extra-police-sent-to-riothit-estate-1590326.html|title=Extra police sent to riot-hit estate|date=23 October 2011|website=The Independent}}

The partial closure of the Vauxhall manufacturing plant in 2002 had negative effects for Luton, leading to increased unemployment and deprivation.{{Cite news |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/immigrants-who-voted-for-brexit-luton-migration/ |title=Meet the immigrants who voted for Brexit |date=25 August 2016|work=POLITICO}} In 2024, Stellantis (owner of the Vauxhall marque) announced plans to close its operation in Luton.{{cite news |publisher=BBC Beds, Herts & Bucks |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0mze2njvr4o |title=Vauxhall workers tell of surprise at closure plans | date=28 November 2024}}

{{see also|Politics in Luton}}

There is just one tier of local government covering Luton: Luton Borough Council, which has been a unitary authority since 1997, being a district council which also performs the functions of a county council. There are no civil parishes in the borough.{{cite web |title=Election Maps |url=https://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/election-maps/gb/ |website=Ordnance Survey |access-date=2 November 2024}} The borough remains part of the ceremonial county of Bedfordshire.{{cite legislation UK|type=act|act=Lieutenancies Act 1997|year=1997|chapter=23|schedule=1|access-date=29 May 2024}}

As of the 2024 UK general election, Luton is represented in Parliament by Sarah Owen who holds Luton North and Rachel Hopkins who holds Luton South, both for Labour.

Luton was an ancient parish in the Flitt hundred. The parish was the largest in Bedfordshire by area, and was subdivided into five hamlets or townships: Hyde, Leagrave, Limbury, Stopsley, and a Luton township covering the central part of the parish including the town itself.{{cite book |editor1-last=Page |editor1-first=William |title=A History of the County of Bedford: Volume 2 |date=1908 |publisher=Victoria County History |location=London |pages=348–375 |url=https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/beds/vol2/pp348-375 |access-date=2 November 2024 |chapter=Parishes: Luton}}{{cite web |title=Luton Ancient Parish / Civil Parish |url=https://visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10207563 |website=A Vision of Britain through Time |publisher=GB Historical GIS / University of Portsmouth |access-date=2 November 2024}} The Luton township was made a local board district in 1850. The local board was the town's first elected local authority; previously it had been administered by the parish vestry.{{London Gazette|issue=21106|page=1745|date=21 June 1850}}

The town was incorporated as a municipal borough in 1876.{{cite news |title=The incorporation of Luton |url=https://www.findmypast.co.uk/search-newspapers |access-date=6 May 2023 |work=Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire News |date=4 March 1876 |location=Luton |page=8}} Later in 1876 the new borough council was granted a coat of arms.{{Cite web|url=https://www.heraldry-wiki.com/heraldrywiki/index.php?title=Luton|title=Luton – Coat of arms (crest) of Luton|website=Heraldry-wiki.com|date=12 January 2022 }} The wheatsheaf was used on the crest to represent agriculture and the supply of straw used in the local hatmaking industry (the straw plaiting industry was brought to Luton by a group of Scots under the protection of Sir John Napier of Luton Hoo). The bee is traditionally the emblem of industry and the hive represents the straw plaiting industry for which Luton was famous. The rose is from the arms of the Napier family, whereas the thistle is a symbol for Scotland. An alternative suggestion is that the rose was a national emblem, and the thistle represents the Marquess of Bute, who formerly owned the Manor of Luton Hoo.{{cite web|url=http://www.civicheraldry.co.uk/thames_valley_chilterns.html#luton%20bc |title=Luton Town Coat of Arms|access-date=30 January 2011}}{{cite web|url=http://www.ngw.nl/int/gbr/l/luton.htm|title=Arms of Luton (England)|access-date=18 June 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080925145600/http://www.ngw.nl/int/gbr/l/luton.htm|archive-date=25 September 2008|url-status=dead}}

The Local Government Act 1894 directed that parishes could no longer straddle borough boundaries, and so the ancient parish was split into a Luton parish covering the same area as the borough and a Luton Rural parish covering the area outside the borough.{{cite web |title=Luton Rural Civil Parish |url=https://visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10112618 |website=A Vision of Britain through Time |publisher=GB Historical GIS / University of Portsmouth |access-date=2 November 2024}} Luton Rural was abolished in 1896 and its area divided into the four parishes of Hyde, Leagrave, Limbury and Stopsley. In 1928 the Leagrave and Limbury parishes were both abolished and their areas absorbed into the borough of Luton;Ministry of Health Provisional Order Confirmation (Luton Extension) Act, 1928 Stopsley was similarly absorbed in 1933.Ministry of Health Order No. 77050. The South Bedfordshire Review Order 1933. Hyde remains a separate parish, now forming part of Central Bedfordshire.

Luton was made a county borough in 1964, making it independent from Bedfordshire County Council.{{cite web |title=Luton MB/CB |url=https://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10133580 |website=A Vision of Britain through Time |publisher=GB Historical GIS / University of Portsmouth |access-date=28 August 2021}} It was redesignated as a non-metropolitan district in 1974, making it once more subordinate to the county council. In 1997 the borough council was made a unitary authority, regaining its independence from the county council (which was subsequently abolished in 2009).

File:Lutonsnowoct08.JPG during October 2008 snowfall, Luton is denoted by the yellow dot.|300x300px]]The town is situated in a gap at the far east of the Chiltern Hills and is built on the River Lea,https://www.luton.gov.uk/Environment/Lists/LutonDocuments/PDF/Local%20Plan/Natural%20and%20historic%20environment/ENV%20013.pdf which Luton is named after. The town is the most populous settlement in Bedfordshire followed by Bedford.{{cite web |date=14 March 2021 |title=A HISTORY OF LUTON |url=https://localhistories.org/a-history-of-luton/ |access-date=11 October 2021 |website=Local Histories}} Luton forms a conurbation with the town of Dunstable, which is located to the west on the opposite side of the M1 motorway, and also includes Houghton Regis.

Luton is situated {{convert|32|mi|km|-1}} north-west of London,{{cite web |title=SPC: St Pancras to Chesterfield Line {{!}} SPC1: St Pancras to Bedford |url=http://www.railwaycodes.org.uk/elrs/_mileages/s/spc1.shtm |website=Railway Codes |series=Engineers Line Reference}} {{convert|10|mi|km|-1}} north-west of St Albans, {{convert|10|mi|km|-1}} west of Stevenage, {{convert|18|mi}} north-east of Aylesbury, {{convert|20|mi}} south of Bedford, {{convert|23|mi}} south-east of Milton Keynes and 39 miles south-west of Cambridge.File:WardownLake.jpg spans the River Lea in Wardown Park.]]The source of the River Lea, part of the Thames Valley drainage basin, is in the Leagrave area of the town. The Great Bramingham Wood surrounds this area. It is classified as ancient woodland; records mention the wood at least 400 years ago.

Luton is located in a break in the eastern part of the Chiltern Hills. The Chilterns are a mixture of chalk from the Cretaceous period{{Cite web|url=http://www.bedsrigs.org.uk/map.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070129014606/http://www.bedsrigs.org.uk/map.html|url-status=dead|title=Map of soil distribution in Beds|archive-date=29 January 2007|access-date=29 January 2022}} (about 66 – 145 million years ago) and deposits laid at the southernmost points of the ice sheet during the last ice age (the Warden Hill area can be seen from much of the town).

Bedfordshire had a reputation for brick making but the industry is now significantly reduced. The brickworks{{Cite book|isbn = 1-871199-94-8|title = Stopsley Picture Book|last1 = Dyer|first1 = James|year = 1999| publisher=Book Castle }} at Stopsley took advantage of the clay deposits in the east of the town.

There are few routes through the hilly area for some miles, this has led to several major roads (including the M1 and the A6) and a major rail-link being constructed through the town.

Luton has a temperate marine climate, like much of the British Isles, with generally light precipitation throughout the year. The weather is very changeable from day to day and the warming influence of the Gulf Stream makes the region mild for its latitude. The average total annual rainfall is {{convert|698|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} with rain falling on 117 days of the year.

The local climate around Luton is differentiated somewhat from much of South East England due to its position in the Chiltern Hills, meaning it tends to be 1–2 degrees Celsius cooler than the surrounding towns – often flights at Luton airport, lying {{convert|160|m|0|abbr=on}} above sea level, will be suspended when marginal snow events occur, while airports at lower elevations, such as Heathrow, at {{convert|25|m|0|abbr=on}} above sea level, continue to function. Absolute temperature extremes recorded at Rothamsted Research Station, {{convert|5|mi|0}} south south east of Luton town centre and at a similar elevation range from {{convert|-17.0|C|F}}{{cite web | publisher = Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute | url= http://eca.knmi.nl/utils/monitordetail.php?seasonid=18&year=1981&indexid=TNn&stationid=1844 | title = Anomaly details for station Rothamsted, UK and index TXx: Maximum value of daily maximum temperature}} in December 1981 and {{convert|-16.7|C|F}} in January 1963{{cite web | publisher = Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute | url= http://eca.knmi.nl/utils/monitordetail.php?seasonid=7&year=1963&indexid=TNn&stationid=1844 | title = Anomaly details for station Rothamsted, UK and index TXx: Maximum value of daily maximum temperature}} to {{convert|36.6|C|F}} in July 2019{{cite web | publisher = Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute | url=https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/binaries/content/assets/metofficegovuk/pdf/weather/learn-about/uk-past-events/interesting/1990/hot-spell-august-1990---met-office.pdf | title = Hot Spell – Aug 1990 Statistics}} and {{convert|33.8|C|F}} in August 1990{{cite web | publisher = Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute | url= http://eca.knmi.nl/utils/monitordetail.php?seasonid=14&year=1990&indexid=TXx&stationid=1844 | title = Anomaly details for station Rothamsted, UK and index TXx: Maximum value of daily maximum temperature}} and July 2006.{{cite web | publisher = Met Office| url= http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/interesting/july2006 | title = Met Office: July 2006 – record temperatures and sunshine}} Records for Rothamsted date back to 1901.

{{Rothamsted weatherbox}}

{{Main|Demographics of Luton}}

The 2021 United Kingdom census showed that the borough had a population of 225,262, a 10.9% increase from the previous census in 2011 and a 22.2% increase compared with 2001. In 2021, 52,566 residents (23% of the total) were aged under 16, 146,330 (65%) were aged 16 to 64, and 26,363 (12%) were aged 65 or over.

Local inhabitants are known as Lutonians.

File:Luton ethnic demography from 1971 to 2021.gif

Luton has seen several waves of immigration. In the early part of the 20th century, migrants from Ireland and Scotland came to the town. These were followed by South Asian and Afro-Caribbean immigrants. More recently immigrants from European countries such as Albania have made Luton their home. As a result of this Luton has a diverse ethnic mix, with a significant population of Asian descent, mainly Pakistani (41,143 residents, 18.3%) and Bangladeshi (20,630, 9.2%).{{cite web |url=https://www.ons.gov.uk/datasets/TS021/editions/2021/versions/3 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231004032733/https://www.ons.gov.uk/datasets/TS021/editions/2021/versions/3 |archive-date=4 October 2023 |title=Ethnic group Census 2021: dataset TS021 |author= |date=29 November 2022 |website=ons.gov.uk |publisher=Office for National Statistics |access-date=22 March 2024}} People in Asian ethnic groups accounted for 86% of Luton's Muslim population in 2021.{{cite web |url=https://www.ons.gov.uk/datasets/RM031/editions/2021/versions/1 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240215075531/https://www.ons.gov.uk/datasets/RM031/editions/2021/versions/1 |archive-date=15 February 2024 |title=Ethnic group by religion: Census 2021 dataset RM031 |author= |date=29 November 2022 |website=ons.gov.uk |publisher=Office for National Statistics |access-date=22 March 2024}}

As of the 2021 census, the White British (White English, Scottish, Welsh, and Northern Irish) population of Luton comprised less than a third of the total (31.8%), the twelfth lowest proportion out of 318 local authorities in England and Wales and the second lowest (after Slough) outside of London. Overall, 45.2% of Luton's population in 2021 was White (including non-British White people), down from 54.7% in 2011.

In 2011 81% of the population of Luton defined themselves as British.{{cite news|last=Philipson |first=Alice |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/immigration/9792392/White-Britons-a-minority-in-Leicester-Luton-and-Slough.html|title=White Britons a minority in Leicester, Luton and Slough|website=The Daily Telegraph |date=10 January 2013 |access-date=17 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130113024453/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/immigration/9792392/White-Britons-a-minority-in-Leicester-Luton-and-Slough.html|archive-date=13 January 2013}}

At the 2021 census, the religious affiliation of Luton was as follows:{{cite web |date=29 November 2022 |title=Religion – 2021 census |url=https://www.ons.gov.uk/datasets/TS030/editions/2021/versions/1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221129115419/https://www.ons.gov.uk/datasets/TS030/editions/2021/versions/1 |archive-date=29 November 2022 |access-date=16 December 2022 |website=Office of National Statistics}}

File:High Town Methodist church, Luton.jpg Chapel in High Town (built 1897)]]

File:Sikh temple, luton.jpg Temple]]

File:Luton, Jamia Masjid Ghousia Mosque - geograph.org.uk - 194124.jpg]]

{{Main|Economy of Luton}}

File:VauxhallGriffinHouse.jpg]]

File:EasyJetHQ.jpg headquarters]]

Luton's economy has traditionally been focused on several different areas of industry, including car manufacturing, engineering and millinery. However, today, Luton is moving towards a service based economy mainly in the retail and the airport sectors, although there is still a focus on light industry in the town.

Notable firms with headquarters in Luton include:

• EasyJet – head office (originally EasyLand, later moved into Hangar 89)"[http://www.easyjet.com/en/News/new_easyjet_headquarters.html New headquarters for easyJet at London Luton Airport] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100118143235/http://www.easyjet.com/en/News/new_easyjet_headquarters.html |date=18 January 2010 }}." Easyjet. Retrieved on 27 September 2009. and main base at London Luton Airport
• Impellam Group – headquarters at Capability Green{{cite web|url=http://investors.impellam.com/company-contacts.aspx |title=Impellam Group – Company Contacts |website=Investors.impellam.com |access-date=24 September 2017}}
• TUI UK (TUI Airways) – travel (Wigmore House)"[https://web.archive.org/web/20080903102750/http://www.tuicareers.co.uk/contact.html Contact Us]." TUI UK & Ireland. Retrieved on 4 January 2011. "Wigmore House Wigmore Lane Luton Bedfordshire LU2 9TN""[http://www.thomson.co.uk/jobs/head-office/luton.html Luton]." Thomson UK. Retrieved on 27 September 2009.
• Vauxhall Motors – headquarters (Chalton House){{Cite web|url=https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/00135767|title=VAUXHALL MOTORS LIMITED overview – Find and update company information|website=Find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk|access-date=29 January 2022}}

Notable firms with offices in Luton include:

• Anritsu – electronics{{cite web|url=http://www.anritsu.com/en-GB/Contact-Us/Sales-Office.aspx |title=Contact US (Test and Measurement)- Anritsu Europe |website=Anritsu.com |access-date=24 September 2017}}
• AstraZeneca – pharmaceuticals{{cite web|url=http://www.astrazeneca.co.uk/astrazeneca-in-uk/our-uk-sites/luton |title=Working with UK Healthcare Professionals |website=Astrazeneca.co.uk |access-date=24 September 2017}}
• Selex ES – aerospace{{cite web |url=http://www.selex-es.com/international-presence/uk/uk-locations |title=Locations – Selex ES |access-date=3 April 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150417145550/http://www.selex-es.com/international-presence/uk/uk-locations |archive-date=17 April 2015 }}
• Ernst & Young – accountants{{cite web|url=http://www.ey.com/OurLocations |title=Ernst and Young Locations |website=Ey.com |access-date=17 March 2013}}
• Whitbread – hospitality{{cite web |url=https://www.whitbread.co.uk/global/contact-us/index.html |title=Contact Us |website=Whitbread.co.uk |access-date=24 September 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171129071920/https://www.whitbread.co.uk/global/contact-us/index.html |archive-date=29 November 2017 }}
• Stonegate Pub Company – hospitality{{cite web|url=https://www.stonegatepubs.com/contact|title=Contact Us|website=Stonegatepubs.com|access-date=30 October 2019}}

Luton's post-war and more recent industrial decline has been compared to that of similar towns in northern England.{{Cite web|url=https://m.luton.gov.uk/Page/error?errormessage=The%20remote%20server%20returned%20an%20error%3A%20%28404%29%20Not%20Found.|title=Error|website=m.luton.gov.uk}}

Of the town's working population (classified 16–74 years of age by the Office for National Statistics), 63% are employed. This figure includes students, the self-employed and those who are in part-time employment. 11% are retired, 8% look after the family or take care of the home and 5% are unemployed.{{cite web|url=http://www.statistics.gov.uk/census2001/profiles/00ka.asp |title=Employment statistics|publisher=National Office of Statistics|access-date=16 June 2008}}

{{Main|Transport in Luton}}

File:Meridian Luton Airport Parkway.JPG Class 222 at Luton Airport Parkway in April 2006]]

Luton is situated less than {{convert|30|mi|km|-1}} north of the centre of London, giving it good links with the City and other parts of the country via rail and major roads such as the M1 (which serves the town from junctions 10 and 11) and the A6.

The town has three railway stations: Luton,{{Cite web|url=http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations/LUT/details.html|title=National Rail Enquiries – Station facilities for Luton|website=Nationalrail.co.uk|access-date=10 April 2019}} Leagrave{{Cite web|url=http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations/LEA/details.html|title=National Rail Enquiries – Station facilities for Leagrave|website=Nationalrail.co.uk|access-date=10 April 2019}} and Luton Airport Parkway{{Cite web|url=http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations/LTN/details.html|title=National Rail Enquiries – Station facilities for Luton Airport Parkway|website=Nationalrail.co.uk|access-date=10 April 2019}} that are served by East Midlands Railway and Thameslink services.

Luton is also home to London Luton Airport, one of the major feeder airports for London and the south-east. A light metro people mover track, Luton DART, opened in 2023, linking the airport and Luton Airport Parkway railway station.{{cite news | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-64919546 | publisher = BBC News |date = 10 March 2023 | access-date = 10 March 2023 | title = Luton Dart airport shuttle welcomes first passengers}}

A network of bus services run by Arriva Shires & Essex, Grant Palmer and Centrebus serves the urban area of Luton and Dunstable. A bus rapid transit route opened in 2013,{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-23808317|title=Delayed busway opening announced|publisher=BBC|date=23 August 2013|access-date=10 April 2019|language=en-GB}} called the Luton to Dunstable Busway, connecting the town with the airport, Dunstable and Houghton Regis. Hertfordshire-based bus operator Uno also run buses on their 'Dragonfly' 610 route to Hatfield, Potters Bar and Cockforsters{{Cite web |title=610 {{!}} Uno |url=https://www.unobus.info/services/hertfordshire/dragonfly-610/ |access-date=2022-07-31 |website=unobus.info}}

Luton is also served by a large taxi network. As a unitary authority, Luton Borough Council is responsible for the local highways and public transport in the borough and licensing of taxis.{{Cite web|url=https://www.luton.gov.uk/Business/Business_support_and_advice/licensing-and-regulation/Permits%20Authorisations%20and%20Licences/taxiandprivatehire/Pages/default.aspx|title=Taxi and private hire licences|last=Customer services|first=Town Hall|date=21 March 2012|website=Luton.gov.uk|access-date=10 April 2019}}

File:Universityofbeds.JPG

Luton is one of the main locations of the University of Bedfordshire. A large campus of the university is in Luton town centre, with a smaller campus based on the edge of town in Putteridge Bury, an old Victorian manor house. The other campuses of the university are located in Bedford, Milton Keynes and Aylesbury.

The town is home to Luton Sixth Form College and Barnfield College. Both have been awarded Learning & Skills Beacon Status by the Department for Children, Schools and Families.{{cite web |url=http://www.communiqueonline.com/cgi-bin/newsdata.pl |title=Barnfield Newsletter |website=Communiqueonline.com |access-date=17 March 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130502051452/http://www.communiqueonline.com/cgi-bin/newsdata.pl |archive-date=2 May 2013 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.lutonsfc.ac.uk/lutonhome/About/Performance/Index.html|title=Luton Sixth Form College|access-date=16 June 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080409102451/http://www.lutonsfc.ac.uk/lutonhome/About/Performance/Index.html|archive-date=9 April 2008}}

Luton's schools and colleges had also been earmarked for major investment in the government scheme Building Schools for the Future programme, which intends to renew and refit buildings in institutes across the country. Luton is in the third wave of this long-term programme with work intending to start in 2009.{{cite web|url=http://www.learning.luton.gov.uk/index.cfm?s=1&m=649&p=238,index|title=L2G Building for the Future Programme details|access-date=19 June 2008}} Some schools were rebuilt before the programme was scrapped by the coalition government.

There are 98 educational institutes in Luton – seven nurseries, 56 primary schools (9 voluntary-aided, 2 special requirements), 13 secondary schools (1 voluntary-aided, 1 special requirements), four further educational institutes and four other educational institutes.{{cite web|url=http://www.luton.gov.uk/internet/education_and_learning/schools_and_colleges/School%20-%20general%20information%201 |publisher=Luton Borough Council |title=LEA School List |access-date=16 June 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080516101812/http://www.luton.gov.uk/internet/education_and_learning/schools_and_colleges/School%20-%20general%20information%201 |archive-date=16 May 2008 }}

{{See also|Listed buildings in Luton}}

The town contains 92 listed buildings.

{{Main|Luton International Carnival}}

Luton International Carnival is the largest one-day carnival in Europe. It usually takes place on the late May Bank Holiday. Crowds can reach 150,000{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/threecounties/do_that/2004/05/carnival/carnival_day.shtml|title=Luton Carnival Coverage on the BBC|access-date=16 June 2008}} on each occasion.

The procession starts at Wardown Park and makes its way down New Bedford Road, around the town centre via St George's Square, back down New Bedford Road and finishes back at Wardown Park. There are music stages and stalls around the town centre and at Wardown Park.

Luton is home to the UK Centre for Carnival Arts (UKCCA),{{cite web |title=UKCCA |url=https://www.carnivalarts.org.uk/ |website=UK Centre for Carnival Arts |language=en}} the country's first purpose-built facility of its kind.{{cite web |url=http://www.carnivalarts.org.uk/Aboutus.aspx |title= About the UK Centre for Carnival Arts|access-date=5 February 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140211012208/http://www.carnivalarts.org.uk/Aboutus.aspx |archive-date=11 February 2014}}

The festival celebrating the patron saint of Ireland St Patrick and organised by Luton Irish Forum, is held on the weekend nearest to 17 March.{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/threecounties/content/articles/2005/03/01/st_patricks_day_preview_feature.shtml |title=Beds Herts and Bucks – Why Don't You – Luton's turning green! |publisher=BBC |access-date=17 March 2013}} In its 20th year in 2019,{{cite web |url=http://www.lutonirishforum.org/Feb2011.pdf |title=Luton Irish Forum – St patrick's festival |access-date=17 March 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309170857/http://www.lutonirishforum.org/Feb2011.pdf |archive-date=9 March 2012 }} the festival includes a parade, market stalls and music stands as well as Irish themed events.{{cite web|url=http://www.lutontoday.co.uk/lut-news/St-Patrick39s-Day-party-is.3841594.jp |title=St Patrick's Day party is coming to Luton |publisher=Luton Today |access-date=17 March 2013}}

The first Luton Melā took place in August 2000 and has developed into one of the most significant and well attended South Asian cultural events in the eastern region.

Luton Council's strategic vision for the Arts, and Cultural and Creative industries includes the plan to bid for City of Culture Status. This plan includes a pilot year with the theme of Peace Riots starting in Spring 2019. Events will be published on the Luton.Events website.

Luton is home to the Library Theatre, a 238-seat theatre located on the 3rd floor of the town's Central Library. The theatre's programme consists of local amateur dramatic societies, pantomime, children's theatre (on Saturday mornings) and one night shows of touring theatre companies.{{cite web|url=http://www.shoutluton.com/entertainment/page2.html|title=Shout Luton Theatre Guide|access-date=16 June 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080624084328/http://www.shoutluton.com/entertainment/page2.html|archive-date=24 June 2008}}

Luton is also home to the Hat Factory, originally as its name suggests, this arts centre was in fact a real hat factory. The Hat Factory is a combined arts venue in the centre of Luton. It opened in 2003 and since then has been the area's main provider of contemporary theatre, dance and music. The venue provides live music, club nights, theatre, dance, films, children's activities, workshops, classes and gallery exhibitions.

The Luton News, now online as Luton Today. Former journalists include comedy screenwriter David Renwick, author of One Foot in the Grave.{{Cite web |date=27 August 2011 |title=Knowing where you want to end before you start... |url=https://www.bedfordtoday.co.uk/arts-and-culture/knowing-where-you-want-to-end-before-you-start-2395999 |access-date=24 July 2024 |website=Luton Today}}

• BBC Three Counties Radio, the local BBC station, broadcasts from its office in Dunstable to Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-12424116 |title=BBC Three Counties Radio|publisher=BBC News |date=10 February 2011 |access-date=21 January 2018}}
• Diverse FM{{cite web|url=http://www.diversefm.com |title=Diverse FM|access-date=16 June 2008}} began broadcasts in April 2007 having been awarded a community radio licence from Ofcom.
• Radio LaB (formerly Luton FM), the university's radio station, began broadcasting full-time in 2010 having been awarded a community radio licence from Ofcom.

• Luton is served by London and East Anglia regional variations of the BBC and ITV. Television signals are received from either Crystal Palace or Sandy Heath TV transmitters. However, the local relay transmitter for Luton only broadcast programmes from Norwich.{{cite web | url=https://ukfree.tv/transmitters/tv/Luton | title=Luton (Luton, England) Freeview Light transmitter | date=May 2004 }}

File:GOC Leagrave to Harpenden 042 Wardown Park House, Luton (8558551071).jpg – one of two museums run by Luton Culture]]

• Dunstable Downs
• Leagrave Park
• Leighton Buzzard Light Railway
• The Hat Factory
• Luton Hoo
• Someries Castle
• Stockwood Discovery Centre
• Stockwood Park
• Wardown Park
• Wardown Park Museum
• Waulud's Bank
• Whipsnade Tree Cathedral
• Whipsnade Zoo
• Woburn Safari Park
• Woodside Farm and Wildfowl Park
• Wrest Park

Luton has a variety of parks ranging from district parks, neighbourhood parks, local open space and leisure gardens.

In the 1880s, the land now known as Brantwood Park was an open field on the south side of Dallow. The site was purchased by the Town Council in 1894 for use as a recreation ground and there is reference to it as 'West Ward Recreation Ground' in a 1911-year book. It is reported as being one of the first two recreation grounds in Luton; the other being East Ward Recreation Ground, now known as Manor Park.{{Cite web|url=https://m.luton.gov.uk/Page/error?errormessage=Page%20not%20found|title=Error|website=m.luton.gov.uk}}

Kidney Wood is ancient semi-natural woodland on the southern edge of Luton that has been identified as a County Wildlife Site. The wood was purchased by Luton Borough Council as an area of public open space. The council seeks to maintain and enhance the nature conservation interest of Kidney Wood, including its habitats while allowing public access for informal recreation including play. Kidney Wood includes a way marked nature trail and play dells.

Sir Julius Wernher purchased the Luton Hoo Estate and the Manor of Luton from Madame de Falbe around 1903. He carried out substantial renovation works to the Manor and grounds. On his death in 1912 the estate passed to Lady Ludlow. Lady Ludlow presented the Park to the people of Luton on 12 June 1920, in memory of her son Alex Piggott Werner, who was killed in action during the First World War. The site is officially named Luton Hoo Memorial Park. Council records state that the area was purchased under the Statutory Powers of the Public Health Acts.

File:Stockwoodpark.jpg, Luton]]

File:Part of the Mossman Collection (1) - geograph.org.uk - 1548315.jpg.]]

{{Main|Stockwood Park}}

Stockwood Park is a large municipal park near Junction 10 of the M1. Located in the park is Stockwood Discovery Centre, a free museum that houses Luton local social history, archaeology and geology. The collection of rural crafts and trades held at Stockwood Discovery Centre was amassed by Thomas Wyatt Bagshawe, who was a notable local historian and a leading authority on folk life. The park has an athletics track, an 18-hole golf course, several rugby and football pitches and areas of open space. Stockwood park is also home to stockwood park RFC, a local amateur rugby team. The park was originally the estate and grounds to Stockwood house, which was demolished in 1964. The museum includes the Mossman Collection of horse-drawn vehicles, which is the largest and most significant vehicle collection of its kind in the country, including originals from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries.

File:Daisy-Chain-Walk-standard.jpg.]]

{{Main|Wardown Park}}

Wardown Park is situated on the River Lea in Luton. The park has sporting facilities, is home to the Wardown Park Museum and contains formal gardens. The park is located between Old Bedford Road and the A6, New Bedford Road and is within walking distance of the town centre.{{cite web|url=http://www.luton.gov.uk/internet/Leisure_and_culture/Museums_and_galleries/Wardown%20Park |title=Luton Council website |access-date=16 June 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070209180317/http://www.luton.gov.uk/internet/Leisure_and_culture/Museums_and_galleries/Wardown%20Park |archive-date=9 February 2007 }} The park houses Wardown House Museum and Gallery, previously known as Luton Museum and Art Gallery, in a large Victorian mansion. The museum collection focuses on the traditional crafts and industry of Luton and Bedfordshire, notably lace making and hatmaking. There are samples of local lace from as early as the 17th century.

{{Unreferenced section|date=September 2009}}

File:Luton Mall.jpg, the main shopping destination in Luton's town centre.]]

The main shopping area in Luton is centred on the Mall Luton. Built in the 1960s/1970s and opened as an Arndale Centre,{{Cite web|url=http://www.eafa.org.uk/catalogue/6621|title=As We Were – Luton 1926-1976|website=East Anglian Film Archive}} construction of the shopping centre led to the demolition of a number of the older buildings in the town centre, including the Plait Halls (a Victorian covered market building with an iron and glass roof). Shops and businesses in the remaining streets, particularly in the roads around Cheapside and in High Town, have been in decline ever since. George Street, on the south side of the Arndale, was pedestrianised in the 1990s.

The shopping centre had some construction and re-design work done to it over the 2011/12 period, with a new square built to be used for leisure events, as well as a number of new food restaurants. Contained within the main shopping centre is the market, which contains butchers, fishmongers, fruit and veg, hairdressers, tattoo parlours, ice cream, a flower stall, T-shirt printing and the market's original sewing shop for clothes alterations and repairs as well as eating places.{{Cite web|url=http://lutonindoormarket.co.uk/index.php/shop-and-eat/|title=Shop & Eat {{!}} Luton Indoor Market|language=en-US|access-date=20 March 2019}}

Another major shopping area is Bury Park where there are shops catering to Luton's ethnic minorities.

File:Kenilworth Stand at Kenilworth Road, 2006.jpg, home to Luton Town Football Club]]

{{Main|Sport in Bedfordshire}}

Luton has a wide range of sports clubs. It is the home town of Luton Town Football Club which in May 2023 achieved promotion to the English Premier League for the first time in their history{{cite web |url=https://news.sky.com/story/championship-play-off-final-luton-beat-coventry-on-penalties-to-win-promotion-to-premier-league-for-first-time-ever-12890811 |title=Championship play-off final: Luton beat Coventry on penalties to win promotion to Premier League for first time ever |publisher=Sky News |date=28 May 2023 |access-date=30 May 2023}} which also includes several spells in the top flight of the English league as well as a League Cup triumph in 1988. They play at Kenilworth Road, their home since 1905, with a new larger capacity stadium known as Power Court under construction. Their nickname, 'The Hatters', dates back to when Luton had a substantial millinery industry, and their logo is based on the town's coat of arms.

Bedfordshire County Cricket Club is based at Wardown Park and is one of the county clubs which make up the Minor Counties in the English domestic cricket structure, representing the historic county of Bedfordshire. Luton Rugby Club are a local rugby union club based on Newlands Road, by the M1 motorway just outside Stockwood Park, who play in London 1 North. Speedway racing was once staged at Luton Stadium from 1934 to 1937.{{Cite web|url=http://www.defunctspeedway.co.uk/Luton.htm|title=Luton|website=Defunctspeedway.co.uk}}

Luton participates in international town twinning; its partners{{cite web|url=https://www.luton.gov.uk/Leisure_and_culture/Tourism/Pages/Town%20twinning.aspx|title=Town Twinning – Luton Council|publisher=Luton Borough Council}} are:

People who were born in Luton or are associated with the town.

{{div col}}

• Mick Abrahams, guitarist for Jethro Tull
• Keshi Anderson, footballer
• David Arnold, composer
• Emily Atack, actress
• John Badham, film director
• Lewis Baker, footballer{{cite web|url=https://www.chelseafc.com/en/teams/on-loan-players/lewis-baker|title=Lewis Baker|publisher=Chelsea Football Club|access-date=14 June 2019}}
• Clive Barker, sculptor and artist
• Jonathan Barnbrook, graphic designer and typographer
• Josh Bassett, rugby player
• Kevin Blackwell, goalkeeper and football manager
• Dean Brill, footballer
• Charles Bronson, born Michael Peterson, prisoner
• William Brown, footballer
• Clive Bunker, drummer for Jethro Tull
• Danny Cannon, screenwriter, director and producer
• Gerald Anthony Coles, artist
• Natasha Collins, actress and television presenter
• Andy Day, television presenter
• Steve Dillon, comic artist
• Kerry Dixon, footballer
• Stacey Dooley,{{Cite web|url=https://www.curtisbrown.co.uk/client/stacey-dooley|title=Agency biography|website=Curtis Brown|access-date=2 January 2019}} journalist, television presenter and Strictly Come Dancing winner
• Jamal Edwards, entrepreneur, author, director, DJ and founder of SB.TV{{Cite web|last1=O'Connor|first1=Mary|last2=Snowdon|first2=Kathryn|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-60457063|title=Jamal Edwards, music entrepreneur and Youtube star, dies aged 31|date=20 February 2022|publisher=BBC News}}
• Jonathan Edwards, footballer
• Kevin Foley, footballer
• Sean Gallagher, actor
• Liam George, footballer
• John Hagan, 8th master chief petty officer, US Navy
• Arthur Hailey, novelist
• Nadiya Hussain, The Great British Bake Off winner
• Neil Jackson, actor
• Sharna Jackson, children's writer
• James Justin, footballer
• Stephen Kelman, novelist
• Jamal Lewis, footballer
• Stuart Lewis-Evans, Formula One driver
• Sean Maguire, footballer
• Frederick Mander, General Secretary of the NUT
• Sarfraz Manzoor, journalist and author
• Herbert Moody, footballer
• Monty Panesar, cricketer
• David Price, cricketer
• Phil Read, motorcycle racer
• David Renwick, scriptwriter
• Stu Riddle, footballer
• Tommy Robinson, born Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, political activist
• Lee Ross, actor
• Billy Schwer, boxer
• Andy Selway, drummer
• Junior Simpson, comedian
• Paul Sinha, comedian and quizzer
• Zena Skinner, television chef and author
• Myles Smith, singer
• Steven M Smith, biologist
• Will Smith, cricketer
• David Stoten, storyboard artist
• Jordan Thomas, World and European karate champion
• Mark Titchner, artist
• UK Decay, band
• Richard Wiseman, psychologist
• Jamie Woolford, rock musician for The Stereo, Animal Chin and Let Go
• Paul Young, pop rock singer
• Zuby, rapper

{{div col end}}

{{div col}}

• Rodney Bewes, actor
• Mo Chaudry, entrepreneur
• Diana Dors, actress{{Cite web|url=http://bedsarchives.bedford.gov.uk/CommunityArchives/Luton/LicensedinLuton/The-English-Rose-Public-House-Luton.aspx|title=The English Rose Public House Luton|publisher=Bedford Borough Council|date=21 June 2019|quote=During the 1950s a regular visitor was actress Diana Dors, whose first husband Dennis Hamilton was the son of landlord Stanley Gittins. She is said to have served behind the bar in the pub on a number of occasions.}}
• Ian Dury, singer{{Cite web|url=http://www.iandury.com/Biography/|title=Ian Dury – A brief biography|quote=Ian found part-time work as an Art teacher at Luton College of Further Technology}}
• John Hegley, poet
• Hilda Hewlett, UK's first licensed woman pilot
• Alec Jeffreys, geneticist
• Sarfraz Manzoor, author and columnist, The Guardian
• Eric Morecambe, entertainer
• Elizabeth Price, artist
• Colin Salmon, actor
• Andrew Tate, British-American ex-kickboxer and Internet personality

{{div col end}}

The following people and military units have received the Freedom of the Borough of Luton.

{{Incomplete list|date=January 2024}}

• John Still: 15 January 2015.{{cite web |title=Luton manager John Still gets freedom of town |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-30827083 |publisher=BBC News Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire |date=15 January 2015 |access-date=13 January 2024 |language=en}}
• Bill McKenzie, Baron McKenzie of Luton: 15 January 2015.
• Viv Dunnington: 15 January 2015.

{{portal|England}}

{{columns-list|

• List of places in Luton
• List of schools in Luton
• List of unitary authorities of England
• List of urban areas in the United Kingdom

• Demographics of Luton
• Economy of Luton
• History of Luton
• Politics in Luton
• Transport in Luton
• Luton power station}}

{{reflist|group=n}}

{{notelist}}

{{reflist}}

{{refbegin}}

• {{cite book|last1=Dyer|first1=James|last2=Stygall|first2=Frank|last3=Dony|first3=John|year=1964|title=The Story of Luton|location=Luton|publisher=White Crescent Press}}

{{refend}}

{{Wiktionary}}

{{Collier's poster|year=1921}}

{{Commons category}}

{{wikivoyage}}

• {{OpenDomesday|TL0821|luton|Luton}}
• [https://www.luton.gov.uk Luton Borough Council]
• [https://www.bedfordshire.police.uk Bedfordshire Police]
• [https://www.bedsfire.gov.uk Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue]
• [https://www.ldh.nhs.uk Luton and Dunstable] – major local hospital
• [https://www.lutontoday.co.uk Luton Today] – local news
• [https://www.lutonculture.com Luton Culture] – charity which manages museums and various events
• [https://www.lutontown.co.uk Luton Town F.C.] – local football team

{{Adjacent communities|state=expanded

|Centre = Luton

|NW = Milton Keynes

|N = Bedford

|NE = Hitchin

|W = Dunstable

|E = Stevenage

|SW = Berkhamsted

|S = Hemel Hempstead

|SE = Harpenden

}}

{{Luton|state=expanded}}

{{Bedfordshire}}

{{Unitary authorities of England}}

{{East of England}}

{{River Lee England}}

{{London commuter belt}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Towns in Bedfordshire

Category:Local government districts of Bedfordshire

Category:Unparished areas in Bedfordshire

Category:Unitary authority districts of England

Category:NUTS 3 statistical regions of the United Kingdom

Category:6th-century establishments in England

Category:Hatmaking

Category:Populated places established in the 6th century

Category:Boroughs in England

Category:Former civil parishes in Bedfordshire