Luton Visitor Guide - Luton Borough Council

Luton Visitor
Guide
An ideal
place for
business or
pleasure
2014
www.luton.gov.uk
Contents
Luton L
Visitor
uton Vis
GuideGuide itor
03 Luton - the best of many worlds
An ideal place for business of pleasure
04 Getting here
Travelling to Luton and beyond
An ideal
place for
business or
pleasure
An ideal
place for
business or
pleasure
07 Going out
Pubs, clubs and restaurants
09 Luton heritage
Must-see landmarks steeped with history
History of Luton
St Mary’s Parish Church
20142014
12 The great outdoors
14 Attractions
Luton has a lot to offer
The Mall Luton
Stockwood Discovery Centre
Wardown Museum
Wardown Park
Luton Town Fotball Club
The Hat Factory
Luton Library Theatre
Woodside Animal Farm
John Dony Field Centre
Stay active in Luton
16 Just outside Luton
Great days out
Grebe Canal Cruises
Wrest Park
18 Annual events
Luton International Carnival
Luton Mela
St Patrick’s Day
St George’s Day
Festival of Sport
Classic music
19 Hatters Merchandise
2
Luton Visitor Guide
www.luton.go
v.uk
www.luton.gov.uk
Other information
Local authority services and information:
www.luton.gov.uk
Latest information from Luton Town FC:
www.lutontown.co.uk
Relocating your business or looking for
new business sites:
www.thinkluton.co.uk
www.luton.towntalk.co.uk
For more information about neighbouring
Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire, visit the
following websites:
www.experiencebedfordshire.co.uk
www.enjoyhertfordshire.com
Find out more about studying in
Bedfordshire at:
www.beds.ac.uk
Luton - the best of many worlds
An ideal place for business or pleasure
The town’s museums are well worth a visit as well:
the award-winning Wardown Park Museum holds
a fantastic collection of hats and lace that attracts
visitors from across the country.
Luton is a vibrant, exciting town nestled between
the Chiltern Hills and offering many brilliant and
convenient advantages for visitors.
Our town is a bustling and lively place with a strong
cosmopolitan feel. Home to people speaking more
than 100 different languages, Luton boasts its own
international airport and great road and rail links to
the rest of the UK.
Yet it is also surprisingly green with lots of
landscaped parks – one of them fully restored in
painstaking detail to its former Edwardian splendour
– with beautiful countryside within easy reach.
And, of course, the City and West End are just
40 minutes away by train.
Major improvements have been made to the town
centre in recent years, with more to follow.
Stockwood Discovery Centre is another of the town’s
major attractions, dedicated to the arts, crafts and
trades of rural Bedfordshire. Its beautiful period
gardens represent over nine centuries of English
horticultural history, while the Ian Hamilton Finlay
sculpture garden is the only example of the artist’s
work outside Scotland, and the Mossman Collection
of horse-drawn vehicles is the largest of its kind on
public display in Britain, telling the story of what life
was like centuries before the invention of the motor
car.
All in all, Luton is a place with a lot to say for itself,
offering the best of many different worlds.
f This guide gives you a taste of what Luton has to
offer. We really hope you enjoy your stay here.
Canal Trips
Grebe Canal Cruises Ltd
Shopping is good, with The Mall – home to many
national high street retailers – recently completing
a further major upgrade. Many of the surrounding
streets and squares offer a rich variety of specialist
stores and pavement cafes in an attractive,
pedestrian-friendly environment.
There is a great choice of places to eat and drink, and
Luton’s nightlife is up there with the best. It’s a safe
place too, with the police, council and local pubs and
clubs working well together to make sure everyone
can enjoy themselves peacefully.
Sports and keep-fit facilities are excellent, and our
18-hole public golf course is the best for miles
around. Luton also has a theatre, the Hat Factory arts
centre and a multiplex cinema all within the town centre.
2 hour
Cruise with
Sunday Roast
Lunch, See our
website or call
for details
From 5th April 90 minute cruises
Sailing every weekend from 5th April to 31st October
and selected weekdays during the school holidays.
We are also running our ever popular cruises with Cream Tea/
Evening Dinner on selected dates from May to September
Self Steer Day Boats for Hire
For further details please telephone:
GREBE CANAL CRUISES
01296 661920
or visit our website: www.grebecanalcruises.co.uk
Pitstone Wharf, Cheddington Road, Pitstone, Bucks LU7 9AD
Luton Visitor Guide
3
Getting here
With three mainline rail stations, a busway, two
M1 junctions and an international airport, Luton’s
transport links are excellent.
By rail
By busway:
With trains departing every 15 minutes to
St Pancras, it is now easier than ever to connect with
the Eurostar and meet in Luton.
The busway is a transport link connecting Houghton
Regis, Dunstable, Toddington, Luton Town Centre and
London Luton Airport. Arriva, Centrebus and Grant
Palmer are operating four routes. Together, these
provide core services between Dunstable and Luton
up to every eight minutes at peak times.
The busway website with routes, timetables and
information is www.busway.net
The First Capital Connect service links Luton directly
with London St Pancras, Gatwick Airport and
Brighton. Midland Mainline operates a service from
Luton to Leicester, Derby, Nottingham and Sheffield.
Locally, train services connect to Bedford, Harpenden
and St Albans.
By bus and coach
Train information:
Luton is well connected by coach to cities and airports
throughout the UK, with National Express and Green
Line stopping at Luton Station Interchange and Luton
Airport Terminal. For travel around Luton there is a
frequent range of bus services to and from the town
centre, airport and Luton and Dunstable Hospital.
All of the venues listed in Luton are on or near a bus
route.
Travelline:
08712 002233
(Costs are 10p a minute)
National
Express:
Travel Luton:
08717 818181
(Costs are 10p a minute)
Freephone 0800 0281 755
For local bus and coach information see
travelluton.co.uk (with a link to busway.net).
Here the public can find a bus journey planner, live
bus departure information and live train departure
information. Both websites are mobile enabled.
4
Luton has three mainline railway stations: Luton,
Leagrave and Luton Airport Parkway.
Luton Visitor Guide
Local: travelluton.co.uk
National Rail 08457 484950 or visit
www.nationalrail.co.uk
Eurostar 08705 186186, outside the UK dial
00441 233617575 or visit www.eurostar.com
By air
London Luton Airport is the fastest growing airport
in the country with passenger numbers of over ten
million. With over 90 destinations on offer including
Europe, Africa and services within the UK, travel to
Luton has never been so easy.
Contact London Luton Airport on 01582 405100 or
visit www.london-luton.co.uk
For surface travel to and from Luton Airport see
travelluton.co.uk.
Travelling between Luton and
London is great value and
easy with Green Line 757
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THE ONLY
SPACE TO BE
BOWLING DRINKING DINING MOVIES GAMING FITNESS
BRIDGE STREET, LUTON
BEDFORDSHIRE, LU1 2NB
CINEWORLD SUBWAY NANDO’S
MFA BOWL COOKIES & CREAM
WETHERSPOON’S LLOYDS NO.1 THE GYM
WWW.LUTONGALAXY.CO.UK
Going out
Pubs, clubs and restaurants
The Galaxy Centre
Pubs and clubs
The Galaxy is one of the UK’s few town centre leisure
and entertainment complexes, offering a wide range
of facilities including an 11-screen cinema, games
station, The Whitehouse Lloyds No 1 bar and a
selection of restaurants, all under one roof.
Luton town centre has an exciting and lively pub and
club scene.
Built with convenience in mind for visitors, its easy
access for parking and public transport has made it a
popular attraction for all generations.
MFA Bowl in the Galaxy hosts a 16-lane ten-pin
bowling alley and games complex, three fullsize American pool tables, over 100 amusement
machines, a large bar area, casino, fast food
restaurant and conference room. Packages are
available for group bookings.
In Park Street you will find a strong influence from the
student population, with a number of pubs offering
low-priced food and drink and lively entertainment.
Pool competitions, live music, pub games and special
events can be found on most nights of the week.
In the town centre there are late-opening pubs and
several London-scale nightclubs.
A wide range of music from the UK dance, house and
garage scenes can be found at most pubs and clubs,
which have attracted a number of well known DJs
and revellers from the capital.
f For further details log onto
www.lutongalaxy.co.uk and
www.namcoexperience.com
Restaurants
Accompanying the many pubs and clubs in the town
centre are a great number of restaurants and eateries,
serving a wide range of dishes to suit your tastes,
whatever your palate.
Dishes from China, India, France, Thailand, Greece
and Italy are widely available in Luton at a range of
prices suitable for any pocket – alongside a traditional
English cuisine and atmosphere too.
f For up-to-the-minute information on live
entertainment, pubs and clubs in Luton, the
local press provides weekly updates and reviews
of establishments in the area. Also visit Luton
Borough Council’s website www.luton.gov.uk
Good Food Is Of The Utmost
Importance To Us
The Red Chilli Indian
Restaurant has built a
reputation for serving the
finest food capturing the best
flavours of India. Part of an
award winning group, we have
won many accolades from
connoisseurs and critics alike.
We can offer a set menu or
you can choose from our
extensive menu created by our
executive chef. With a choice of
traditional meals and exciting
new dishes using only the best
and freshest ingredients.
If you prefer to eat at home
we have a take away service
available with a 10%
discount on all orders over
£15 collected from the
restaurant.
96-104 Wellington Street (Upper) Luton, Bedfordshire
01582 480055 or 480040
Luton Visitor Guide
7
IMAGINATIONS
WILL FLY
Explore 90 acres of secret gardens,
giant lawns and mysterious woodland.
Silsoe, Bedfordshire
Luton heritage
Must-see landmarks steeped with history
1086 – Domesday survey shows Luton as
the largest royal manor in Bedfordshire
1973 – HM the Queen approves the grant
of a charter conferring Borough status on
Luton
14th century – The Church of St Mary is
the largest church in Bedfordshire and one 1975 – First Luton Carnival, now the
of the biggest parish churches in England biggest one-day carnival in the UK
1826 – Luton’s first hat factory opens
1876 – Luton officially becomes a
borough
1904 – Wardown Park is purchased for
the town by the mayor, Cllr Hucklesby
1919 – Peace day riots end in the
destruction of the old town hall
1922 – Town centre war memorial is
unveiled by Lady Ludlow
1936 – Official opening of the new Town
Hall by HRH the Duke of Kent.
1938 – Luton Airport opens
1947 – The Queen and the Duke of
Edinburgh honeymoon at Luton Hoo
1959 – Luton Town FC reach the FA Cup
final at Wembley
1962 – HM Queen Elizabeth II and HRH
Duke of Edinburgh open Luton’s new
central library
1964 – Luton officially becomes a County
Borough
1972 – Luton’s Arndale opens, providing
the town (at that time) with the largest
undercover shopping centre in Europe.
1988 – Luton Town FC win the
Littlewoods Cup final against Arsenal at
Wembley
1996 – The town’s floral displays win first
prize in Anglia in Bloom
1997 – Luton becomes a unitary authority
1999 – The Queen opens Luton Airport
Parkway rail station
2005 – In its centenary year, lottery
funding restores Wardown Park to its
Edwardian splendour
2006 – The 13th century Wenlok Jug,
with strong ties to the town, is purchased
on behalf of the people of Luton.
2008 – Luton launches the national
Cultural Olympiad in the recently
redeveloped, award-winning St George’s
Square
2012 – Olympic Torch comes to Luton.
2013 – Luton Dunstable Busway opens
2014 – Luton Town FC return to the
Football League.
Luton Visitor Guide
9
Venue 360
Luton’s premier meetings,
events, conference &
exhibition venue
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Luton’s heritage
Luton has a heritage of monuments and buildings
from a wide range of historical periods.
The earliest monuments lie in the north of the
borough where earthworks at Waulud’s Bank date
back to the Neolithic period (circa 2500-2000 BC),
and those at Dray’s Ditches date back to Bronze
and Iron Age times. Both are related to the ancient
route of Icknield Way and are protected as scheduled
ancient monuments.
Luton’s first major period of growth was in the 19th
century and resulted from the expansion of the hat
industry which has left an interesting and often
attractive legacy of factories and warehouses, many
of which are now loft-style apartments.
The 19th century also saw the building of many
churches and chapels (non conformism was strong
in the town), some fine terraced housing (notably in
Wellington Street, King Street, George Street West
and Park Street West) and individual mansions such
as the one now occupied by Luton Museum.
History of Luton
St Mary’s Parish Church
Located in the heart of 21st century Luton, is a
beautiful and inspirational 850-year-old building.
People have been worshipping at the St Mary’s site
for over 1,000 years. In every generation the church
has been extended and developed, and it retains a
place at the heart of its community.
The church is open to visitors on Mondays from
1-3.30pm and Wednesday and Thursday from 9am1pm. Other times can be arranged by appointment.
f St. Mary’s Church, Church Street,
Luton, Bedfordshire LU1 3JF
01582 72 18 67
[email protected]
www.stmarysluton.org
Looking for a B&B in Lilley, Luton?
The Lilley Arms provides friendly
accommodation amidst beautiful surroundings
Luton’s location on the River Lea and close by the
Roman Icknield Way was the key to its early success.
By the time of the Domesday survey in 1086, Luton
was a well-established town of 700 people.
In the 1900s engineering and car manufacturing
came to Luton. By the time of the great depression,
between the wars, Luton was a boom town attracting
workers from all over the British Isles.
The town is at the heart of the hat making industry
and has been for hundreds of years. The hats
designed and made in Luton have been seen on the
heads of everyone from celebrities and film stars to
the British Monarchy.
After the Second World War, the growth of the airport
added to Luton’s prosperity and, by the time the M1
was constructed in 1960, Luton was without doubt a
hugely successful town – which it remains today.
f Why not visit Stockwood Discovery Centre and
Wardown Park Museum to find out more about
our history?
Bed and breakfast facilities
start from as little as £30
single and £40 twin or
breakfasts £7.50 per person,
so you can enjoy a relaxing
night in the country without
breaking the bank!
If you’re looking for a
traditional pub, serving handpulled real ales, hearty pub
food, look no further.
We are situated near miles of
countryside , plenty of walking
or biking routes.
We can cater for all types
of family occasions from
christenings to funerals
professionally and
inexpensively.
Call us or pop in and visit our
friendly pub.
The Lilley Arms
West Street, Lilley, LU2 8LN
www.lilleyarms-lilley.co.uk
01462 768 371
Luton Visitor Guide
11
The great outdoors
More than seven per cent of Luton’s total area is
open space – from the rolling chalk downland of the
Chiltern Hills, an internationally rare wildlife habitat,
to ancient woodlands steeped in history.
In and around Luton a wealth of natural open spaces,
including seven landscaped parks, contribute to
the essential character of the town and provide a
refreshing contrast to the hustle and bustle of urban
life.
Dallow Downs offers its intriguing medley of wild
flowers, while Bradgers Hill has foxes, deer and
ancient farming terraces. Cowslip Meadow is a unique
fragment of marshland while Leagrave Common is
the source of the River Lea and site of the Waulud’s
Bank ancient henge monument. Meanwhile the rolling
grassland of Galley and Warden Hills is home to many
12
beautiful and nationally-acknowledged rare wild
flowers.
More than ten sites of importance for wildlife can be
visited in Luton, and many can be reached by public
transport from the town centre. All are free to visit.
Some sites link directly to the wider countryside,
acting as stepping stones for exploring more of the
area’s natural heritage.
For those who enjoy walking, the beginning of the
River Lea walk can be found at Leagrave Common.
Follow the route to discover the course of the river as
it winds through Luton and beyond. On your way you
will stumble across green gems such as the secluded
wildlife haven at Fallowfield where you may, if you are
lucky, catch a glimpse of a kingfisher or water vole.
Leisure Activities
Golf courses
Riding schools
Brockholes Riding Centre – Stockwood Park,
Luton, 01582 720766
Foxbury Stables & Stud – Woodside Road,
Lower, Luton, 01582 724049
Sunshine Riding School – Warden Hill Road,
Luton, 01582 505040
Stockwood Park Golf Club – London Road, Luton,
01582 413704
Caddington Golf Club – Chaul End Village,
Caddington, Luton, 01582 415573
South Beds Golf Club, Warden Hill Road, Luton,
01582 591500
Luton Visitor Guide
Luton’s biggest and best leisure operator
Providing accessible and affordable opportunities for you to get fit and stay healthy
------------------------------------------------------------ō
ō
ō6 great venues to choose from ōōō
------------------------------------------------------------Hightown Community Sports & Arts Centre
ō
ō
ō ōConcorde Street, Luton LU2 0JD ō ō
ō
ō
ō ōTel: 01582 419548 ō ō
------------------------------------------------------------Lewsey Sports Park
ō
ō
ō ōPastures Way, Luton LU4 0PF ō ō
ō
ō
ō ōTel: 01582 604244 ō ō
------------------------------------------------------------Inspire: Luton Sports Village
ō
ō
ō ōHitchin Road, Luton, LU2 8DD ō ō
ō
ō
ō ōTel: 01582 393230 ō ō
------------------------------------------------------------Lea Manor Recreation Centre
ō
ō
ō ōNorthwell Drive, Luton LU3 3TL ō ō
ō
ō
ō ōTel: 01582 599888 ō ō
------------------------------------------------------------Stockwood Park Golf Centre
ō
ō
ō ōLondon Road, Luton LU1 4LX ō ō
ō
ō
ō ōTel: 01582 413704 ō ō
------------------------------------------------------------Stockwood Park Athletics Centre
ō
ō
ō ōFarley Hill, Luton LU1 4BH ō ō
ō
ō
ō ōTel: 01582 722930 ō ō
------------------------------------------------------------ō
ō
ō ōPay As You Go ō ō
ō
ō
ō ōMemberships ō ō
ō
ō
ō ōGo4Less Discount scheme ō ō
Luton Visitor Guide
13
Attractions
Luton has a lot to offer
Luton has lots to offer everyone seeking a fun or relaxing
day out, whatever the weather, your budget, available
time or circumstances.
For history buffs there are two museums, heritage
buildings, ancient sites and St Mary’s Church.
Those with green fingers or a love of nature will
appreciate our landscaped parks, the formal gardens at
Stockwood Discovery Centre and the walled garden at
Luton Hoo.
Expert staff from the John Dony Field Centre host walks,
talks and exhibitions that bring the countryside to life.
Is shopping your bag? The Mall, in the town centre, has
all the major high street names and a thriving indoor
market.
As for sports, you are spoiled for choice. Spectators can
catch cricket at Wardown Park or a Luton Town FC home
game. You can find out where to take part in anything
from kick-boxing to carom, swimming to cycling, and pool
to pilates from Active Luton - the town’s leisure trust.
The Mall Luton
At The Mall in the heart of Luton you will find over 120
great shops to choose from including Debenhams, Marks
& Spencer, WHSmith, Boots, Next, Argos, and Primark,
plus unique speciality shops - see themall.co.uk.
Getting there is easy, with two Mall car parks offering
convenient access from over 2,300 secure parking spaces
open 24 hours a day. There are also easy train and bus
services within a couple of minutes of the centre.
Stockwood Discovery Centre
The £6 million Stockwood Discovery Centre offers vibrant
visitor facilities including a café, shop, extensive gardens,
children’s outdoor area, feature exhibitions and corporate
venue hire.
The centre has an environmental theme and hosts various
collections including the Mossman carriages, the largest
museum set of horse-drawn vehicles in the UK. There are
also fascinating displays concerning the history of the area
including the former Stockwood House itself. The centre
also holds events and activities for all ages and interests
www.stockwooddiscoverycentre.com
For seasonal opening hours call 01582 54 86 00.
Free admission and parking
14
Luton Visitor Guide
Wardown Museum
Wardown Park Museum, where you can discover displays,
objects and old photographs about the history of Luton
and its people, is situated in a beautiful landscaped park
around one-and-a-half miles north from the centre of
Luton.
The ground floor galleries include the Lace Gallery,
displaying some of the museum’s extensive collection of
local lace, while the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire gallery
tells the story of this local regiment.
The ground floor also houses the special exhibitions
gallery. The museum holds around four temporary
exhibitions a year. There are also events and activities for
all ages and interests throughout the year.
Opening times
Tuesdays to Saturdays 10am-5pm
Sundays
1pm-5pm
Open bank holiday Mondays
Admission is free.
Wardown Park
Comprehensive restoration of this 11-acre park brought it
back to its former Edwardian splendour for its centenary
in 2005, thanks to £1 million lottery funding and a lot of
hard work from local people.
The Council, working with the Friends of Wardown Park,
replaced the refreshment kiosk and boathouse, renovated
the Edwardian Daisy Chain wall and restored the drinking
fountain using the original design.
As a visitor, the best thing about the Hat Factory is the
entertainment – drama, comedy nights, live music of all
kinds – there really is something for everyone.
f For further information call 01582 87 81 00. Full
listings are available at www.luton.gov.uk/whatson
Luton Library Theatre
Luton Town Football Club
Luton Town Football Club is back in the Football League
after winning the Conference Championship following a
record-breaking season in 2013/14.
The success is one of many the club has enjoyed over the
years since it was formed back in 1885.
Nicknamed the Hatters after the town’s famous hatmaking industry in the early 20th century, the team plays
its home games at the all-seated and family-orientated
Kenilworth Road stadium.
Luton Library Theatre, which takes its name from its shared
location with Luton Central Library, is the town’s premier
venue for professional and amateur dramatics.
A comprehensive programme of plays, films and events is
a regular feature throughout the year.
f For information on events call the theatre box office
01582 54 74 74. Full listings are available at
www.luton.gov.uk/whatson
Woodside Animal Farm
Children can wear themselves out in the many play and
activity areas including climbing frames, bouncy castles,
trampolines, and much more.
The club has enjoyed many seasons in the top flight of
English football and the greatest day came when the team
won the League Cup at Wembley in 1988 with a thrilling
3-2 victory over Arsenal.
Don’t miss the alpacas, cranes, flamingos, iguanas, llamas,
monkeys, raccoons, tortoises, wallabies, and many more.
Kenilworth Road opens its doors for 23 league matches
during the football season which runs between August
and April, but the stadium is not just a place for the
beautiful game. The club offers a large variety of
entertainment, including Specs – a comedy club which
pays homage to legendary comedian and Luton supporter
Eric Morecambe. As well comedy, Kenilworth Road also
hosts business exhibitions and has a marriage licence
should you fancy tying the knot.
Telephone 01582 841044,
email [email protected]
www.woodsidefarm.co.uk
For more information about the club, including the fixtures
for the season ahead, check out the official website at
www.lutontown.co.uk. The club also enjoys a healthy
social media following on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube,
so get following a club on the up!
f Find out more by calling 01582 48 69 83 or see
www.luton.gov.uk
The Hat Factory
The Hat Factory is Luton’s multi-facility arts and media
centre in Bute Street, next to Luton railway station.
The complex provides performance space, a visual arts
gallery, multimedia suites, bar, café, facilities for television,
community radio, photography and video production, a
sound recording studio, rehearsal rooms, creative industry
managed workspaces and conference facilities.
Woodside Animal Farm and Leisure Park, Slip End Village,
Luton, LU1 4DG
John Dony Field Centre
Located at Bushmead in the north of the town, the centre
illustrates the natural history of sites in Luton through
photographic displays and material. Talks and guided
nature tours also arranged.
Stay active in Luton
If you are used to keeping fit in your home town, you
don’t have to stop when you visit Luton for business or
pleasure.
Active Luton, the town’s sports and leisure trust, offers an
unrivalled range of activities including health and fitness
clubs, several swimming pools, a golf centre, athletics
arena and multi-activity sports centres.
Best of all for visitors, everything is available on a pay-asyou-go basis – so there is no need to join up, just join in!
Luton Visitor Guide
15
Just outside Luton
Great days out
Wrest Park
Featuring landscapes rich with wildlife, quiet country
lanes to cycle or walk, and quaint market towns and
villages with enchanting gardens and shops to browse,
it’s sometimes hard to remember that Luton, Bedfordshire
and Hertfordshire offer such easy access to the hustle and
bustle of London’s attractions too.
Explore the evolution of the English garden and take a
stroll through three centuries of landscape design at Wrest
Park.
Close to the airport, M1, M25 and M11 motorways, and
only 30 minutes from London by rail, Luton is centrally
placed for a wide array of attractions including Whipsnade
Wild Animal Park, Dunstable Downs, Wrest Park and
Woburn Abbey and Safari Park.
A gardener’s world, a picnicker’s paradise
From dazzling parterres and fragrant borders, to sweeping
landscapes and woodland walks – Wrest Park is a real
treat for the senses. Explore over 90 acres showcasing
French, Dutch, Italian and English styles side by side.
Keep an eye out for our collection of hidden gems,
including the Bath House with its thatched roof and
cobbled floor inlaid with a pattern of deer bones; the
ornate marble fountain; a Chinese Temple and bridge; and
over 40 statues – can you find them all?
There’s even more to explore with the opulent Countess’
Sitting Room, conservatory and interactive exhibition on
the ground floor of the mansion house, as well as the
Dairy Sculpture Gallery and the baroque Archer Pavilion
with its stunning interior.
Grebe Canal Cruises
Are you wondering what to do with the children during
the holidays? Why not bring them down to Grebe Canal
Cruises for a cruise on the Grand Union Canal. There is
always plenty to see and learn as the skipper volunteers
snippets of information about the history of the canal. The
cruise will take you through two locks heading towards
Marsworth village. The boat turns at the Aylesbury Arm
junction before making the return journey. There is an
abundance of wildlife on the canal and you might be lucky
enough to see a mother duck or swan with her young or a
heron standing silently on the tow path.
For the more ambitious we have day boats for hire. Bring a
picnic and steer your own boat for the day.
fFor more information on our day boats and the variety
of cruises we have on offer please see our website
www.grebecanalcruises.co.uk or call
01296 661920. We look forward to welcoming you.
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Luton Visitor Guide
The perfect pit stop
Families with energy to burn can grab an activity backpack
and an audio trail designed for kids and head out to
explore the grounds. If they’re still feeling energetic, head
to the children’s play area to let off some steam. Feeling
peckish? The café offers a selection of delicious, locally
sourced refreshments to tickle the tastebuds.
New for the park
Join the behind the scenes artefacts tour and discover
a treasure trove of unique and special objects spanning
2,000 years of English history. Tours take place on the first
Monday of every month – book at Reception.
Wrest Park, Silsoe, Bedfordshire MK45 4HR
Tel: 01525 860000
www.english-heritage.org.uk/wrest
Basepoint Innovation
and Business Base
Basepoint Luton is located at Butterfield
Technology Park on the North East of the
town within the beautiful and contemporary
building. The Business Centre is easily
accessible from the A1 and M1. Our fully
serviced meeting room facilities start from
just £15 an hour and can accommodate 2 to
40 people. All meeting rooms come with free
Wi-fi, flip charts, use of the break out area
and free parking. AV equipment and catering
are available on request. Contact Basepoint
Luton today to discuss your meeting room
requirements or become a Basepoint member
to receive discounted meeting room rates.
Name of Room
Theatre
Class Room
Contact name: Ms Fiona Mcdermott
Postal address: 110 Butterfield Great Marlings
Luton, Bedfordshire, LU2 8DL
Telephone number: 01582 43 42 00
Email: [email protected]
Web address: www.basepoint.co.uk
No. parking spaces: 211 (first come first served)
Miles from Luton Central train station: 3
Miles from Luton Airport Parkway train station: 4
Miles from London Luton Airport: 4
Number of conference rooms: 5
Licensed for weddings: No
Disabled toilets: Yes
Ramp/lift: Lift
Disabled access (full/part): Full
U Shaped
Cabaret
Board Room
Banqueting
MR1
—
—
—
—
4
—
MR2
—
—
—
—
6
—
MR3
—
—
—
—
16
—
MR4
—
—
—
—
40
—
MR5
—
—
—
—
25
—
Luton Visitor Guide
17
Annual events
Luton International Carnival
St George’s Day
Traditionally held every late May bank holiday, get
your whistles ready for the biggest one-day carnival
in Britain as the town centre comes alive for the UK’s
largest street party!
Held annually on the nearest weekend to 23 April,
Luton celebrates St George’s Day in style in the town’s
very own St George’s Square. With traditional battle
re-enactments, Punch and Judy shows, Morris and
maypole dancing and displays of traditional crafts, it’s
a must!
The event, well known for its blend of soca, reggae
and rap rhythms, has many sites for music and dance
and regularly attracts around 100,000 visitors. It is the
crowning jewel in Luton’s leisure and entertainment
programme.
The carnival parade forms the highlight. Flamboyant,
brightly-coloured costumes, specifically designed
for the occasion, are out in all their splendour as
participants adorn themselves and their floats and
make their way through the town.
Festival of transport
Held annually during June in Stockwood Park, more
than 1,000 examples of 20th century transport,
including vintage and classic cars are on display.
Luton Mela
The Mela is copied from the longstanding traditions of
South Asia – strengthening communities by bringing
people together in a festival atmosphere where
everyone can enjoy food, music and dance.
St Patrick’s Day
Taking place during a week-long celebration of the
culture and heritage of the town’s Irish community,
the parade and festival on the nearest weekend to 17
March is the largest in the region, offering something
for everyone.
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Luton Visitor Guide
Classical music
On Monday evenings from September until March,
Luton Music Club offers performances of classical and
chamber music in Luton Library Theatre. For more
information and other local venues please call
01582 547474 or details on our website
www.lutonmusic.org.uk
Luton Visitor Guide
19
An ideal
place for
business or
pleasure
2014