Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire

Flower Delivery to Leighton Buzzard with Clare Florist

Leighton Buzzard is a lovely little town in Bedfordshire, England, near the Chiltern Hills. It lies between Luton and Milton Keynes. It adjoins Linslade, and people sometimes use the name Leighton Linslade to refer to the combination of the two towns.

The name of the town, as you may have noticed, is a little unusual. A number of theories have popped up over the years regarding the derivation of the odd name, but the most likely is that “Leighton” came from Old English Lēah-tūn, which means “Farm in a clearing in the woods.” The "Buzzard" part is probably the one one you’re scratching your head, wondering about. That was added later by the Dean of Lincoln, in whose diocese the town lay in the 12th century. Having two communities called "Leighton" and seeking some means of differentiating them, he added the name of his local Prebendary, or representative, to the name of the town. At that time, it was a Theobald de Busar—and so over the years the town became known as Leighton Buzzard. (The other Leighton became Leighton Bromswold, if you’re curious.)

Leighton Buzzard is also famous for the Grand Union Canal that was opened there. More recently, Leighton Buzzard station was the location for part of the film Robbery, which is based on the so-called "Great Train Robbery" (a famous robbery of a Royal Mail train heading between Glasgow and London in 1963,) though the actual robbery took place just outside the town, at Bridego bridge, Ledburn.

The new wave, avant-garde instrumental group “Kajagoogoo” formed in Leighton Buzzard in 1979. (They were originally known as Art Nouveau, but later renamed themselves by phonetically writing out a baby’s first sounds, “Gagagoogoo.” They altered that a little, and settled on “Kajagoogoo.” Why…? Well, why not?)

The Leighton Buzzard Railway, offering a lovely scenic ride, is generally recognized as the town’s number-one attraction. But if you find yourself in town, you’ll have no shortage of things to do. There is the Parsons Close Recreation Ground Splash Park, which will be lots of fun for your whole family and offer a fantastic day out.

There’s the Rushmore Country Park—the nicest park you could ask for to enjoy some late-summer sunshine and a terrific walk out in nature. And when you’ve had enough active, outdoorsy fun to work up an appetite, look for “The Clay Pipe,” for some exceptional pub food, drinks, and atmosphere.

If you’re the type who loves to bring a lot of quirky, interesting souvenirs home from your trips, don’t miss “Ollie Vee’s” Vintage Emporium in Leighton Buzzard. They sell vinyl records (maybe you can find some Kajagoogoo!), and all sorts of other retro treasures.

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