Bedfordshire
Bedfordshire is a compact and diverse ceremonial county with a blend of urban and rural areas. It includes the unitary authorities of Bedford, Central Bedfordshire, and Luton—the latter being a large town with a major airport and strong multicultural identity. The county town is Bedford, known for its riverside parks and Italian community. The area features a mix of commuter towns, light industry, and green spaces, all within easy reach of London.
Local Authorities in Bedfordshire
- Bedford Borough Council (Unitary Authority)
- Central Bedfordshire Council (Unitary Authority)
- Luton Borough Council (Unitary Authority)
Bedfordshire, in England’s East region, is administered entirely through unitary authorities, with no county council since reorganisation in 2009. The area is divided into three councils: Bedford Borough Council, Central Bedfordshire Council, and Luton Borough Council, each responsible for all local services including education, transport, planning, housing, and social care within their boundaries. Bedford serves as the historic county town, while Luton is a major urban centre with its own airport and diverse economy, and Central Bedfordshire covers a wide mix of market towns, rural villages, and expanding commuter communities. Together, these councils provide governance across a county that balances historic heritage with modern growth.
Districts in Bedfordshire
(ITL 1) East of England
(ITL 2) ⇒ Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire
(ITL 3) ⇒⇒ Luton ⁞ Bedford ⁞ Central Bedfordshire ⁞ North and East Hertfordshire ⁞ South West Hertfordshire
Constituencies in Bedfordshire
- Bedford
- Dunstable and Leighton Buzzard
- Hitchin
- Luton North
- Luton South and South Bedfordshire
- Mid Bedfordshire
- North Bedfordshire
A constituency is a specific geographical area that elects one Member of Parliament (MP) to represent them in the House of Commons. The United Kingdom is divided into 650 parliamentary constituencies, 7 of them are in Bedfordshire.