Luton

Luton is a large town and local government neighborhood in the south-east of England, 51 km (32 miles) north of London. It used to part of the county of Bedfordshire, but since 1997 it has been an administratively independent unitary authority. It remains part of Bedfordshire for ceremonial purposes. The town is known internationally primarily because of London Luton Airport and the home airport and headquarters of the low cost airline Easyjet.

An introduction to Luton

Luton is a multicultural town with a population of towards 200,000. It used to be known as a centre of the straw and hat making industry: hence "The Hatters" and the nickname of Luton's football club. One or two hat making factories remain in and around the Old Bedford Road area of the town. Luton was later known as the home of Vauxhall cars and Whitbread brewing. Both are now shadows of their former selves.

• Luton Luton Tourism Board Centre Luton Central Library, St. George's Plaza ☎ +44 1582 401579

Travel to Luton

By Rail

Luton has three train stations, one in the town centre, one close to the airport and one towards the north of the town.

• Luton Station 51.882269, -0.414319 - Luton train station Luton Platform 2 - Served by Thameslink and East Midlands trains. From Luton, trains go north to Bedford, Kettering, Corby. Peak hours only: Leicester, Loughborough and Nottingham. Southbound trains go to Luton Airport Parkway, Street Albans, London, Gatwick Airport, Brighton (England) | Brighton, Rainham. Peak hours only: Wimbledon, Sutton, Sevenoaks, Orpington, East Grinstead

}} The typical off-peak service from this station is as follows:

• 4 trains per hour (tph) to Bedford (operated by Thameslink)
• 2 tph to Brighton (England) | Brighton via Luton Airport Parkway, Street Albans, London and Gatwick Airport (Thameslink)
• 2 tph to Gatwick Airport via Luton Airport Parkway, Street Albans and London (Thameslink)
• 2 tph to Rainham via Luton Airport Parkway, Street Albans, London, Greenwich and Dartford (Thameslink)
• 1 tph to London Street Pancras (East Midlands Trains)
• 1 tph to Corby via Kettering (East Midlands Trains)

Thameslink trains serve several stations in Central London, including Street Pancras International and Blackfriars

Luton Airport Parkway train station is south-east of Luton and west of the airport. A shuttle bus operates between the station and the airport, with a journey time of about ten minutes.

The station is on the East Midland Line and is served by Thameslink and East Midland trains. From the station, you can travel north to Bedford, Kettering, Leicester, Loughborough and Nottingham. Passengers can also travel south to Street Albans, London, Rainham, Gatwick Airport and Brighton (England) | Brighton. The typical off-peak service from this station is as follows:

• 2 tph to Brighton (England) | Brighton via London and Gatwick Airport (Thameslink)
• 2 tph to Gatwick Airport via London (Thameslink)
• 2 tph to Rainham via London, Greenwich and Dartford (Thameslink)
• 1 tph to London Street Pancras (East Midlands Trains)
• 2 tph to Luton only (Thameslink)
• 4 tph to Bedford via Luton (all stations) (Thameslink)
• 1 tph to Nottingham via Bedford, Kettering, Leicester and Loughborough (East Midlands Trains)

Buy a Flight ticket to and from Luton

• London Luton Airport IATA Flight Code: LTN 51.874722, -0.368333 - Luton Airport Luton airport AAAis an international airport. Frequent Flights from many European destinations are available, notably from the low-cost carrier EasyJet.

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Car parks serving Luton Airport

	Address	On/Off Airport	Distance / Transfer Time	Security	Park Mark Award	Additional Information
Luton Airparks	Grove Road, Slip End, Luton, LU1 4BZ	Off	50 minutes	Fully secured vehicle park with fencing, floodlights, 24 hour patrols and CCTV	Yes	No trailers, mobile homes or caravans are permitted within the Short Stay Compound.
Luton Mid Stay Car Park	London Luton Airport, Navigation House, Airport Way, Luton, Bedfordshire, LU2 9LY	On	N/A	Secured by a high perimeter fence, is well floodlit and is protected by 24-hr CCTV surveillance and manned patrols	-	No trailers, mobile homes or caravans are permitted within the Mid Stay Compound
Luton Short Stay Car Park	London Luton Airport, Navigation House, Airport Way, Luton, Bedfordshire, LU2 9LY	On	N/A	Secured by a high perimeter fence, is well floodlit and is protected by 24-hr CCTV surveillance and manned patrols.	-	No trailers, mobile homes or caravans are permitted within the Short Stay Compound
Luton Priority Parking	London Luton airport, Luton, Bedfordshire, LU2 9QT	On	Client is met at terminal. No transfer required.	Manned 24 hours a day and has CCTV, floodlighting and a high perimeter fence	-	Client is met at the terminal upon departure and arrival. By car Luton is easily accessible by vehicle about 5 minutes from the M1 junctions 10 and 11, travelling from the south/London and the north respectively. The A505 provides a link via Hitchin to the A1 (M), and the Cambridge/Hertfordshire area. What to See Luton Museum & Art Gallery - Wardown Park, Old Bedford Road 51.896, -0.418 ☎ +44 1582 546739 - Wardown Park Museum Wardownmuseum 69194 Stockwood Discovery Centre - Stockwood Park Museum - Farley Hill, LU1 4BH 51.8661, -0.4225 ☎ +44 1582 738714 - Stockwood Discovery Centre Some surprisingly pleasant countryside is to be found around Luton. To the north of the town (in the village of Streatley) is a wooded hill named the Clappers, which is a good place for a walk. To the west of the town are Dunstable Downs and the eastern edge of the Chilterns and a popular place for walking, gliding and kite-flying. Shaw's Corner Ayot Street Lawrence 51.83434, -0.26709 on the way to Welwyn Garden City - Shaw's Corner1 Shaw's Corner This was George Bernard Shaw's home and is now owned by the National Trust. Someries Castle 51.868889, -0.375833 - Someries Castle Chapel - Someries Castle 59756 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. Top Muslim Travel Tips for Luton Watch football ie soccer at Kenilworth Stadium - 1 Maple Road, LU4 8AW . This is the home of Luton Town FC, "The Hatters", who play in League One and the third tier of English football. In 1985 this stadium was the scene of infamous riots between home supporters and Millwall supporters. There is a large South Asian community with several masjids and interesting temples such as Guru Nanak Gurdwara, as well as a jewellery market and Curries houses. Wardown Park 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. Stockwood Park Another pleasant, quiet space to picnic and enjoy when there is nice weather. In case of rain and the Stockwood Discovery Centre, houses the unique Mossman Horse-Drawn Carriage Collection as well displaying local rural crafts and trades Local events in Luton Luton Carnival, one of the largest summer carnivals in Europe. Shopping Standard shop brands such as Debenhams, Marks & Spencer, Primark, Wilkinson, TK Maxx The Mall Luton - Arndale centre - 51.8806, -0.430556 - The Mall Luton Luton Mall 49759was the largest indoor shopping centre in Europe when it was opened in 1971, and it includes a large indoor market. More interesting shopping is to be found in nearby towns: Street Albans, Hitchin and Welwyn Garden City. Halal Food & Restaurants Balti Nights Wellington Street just off the High Street by the Town Hall Great value Curries house, has an offer of a popadom, Curries, Rice and a naan for just £5. Lots of dishes to choose from and very Vegetarian friendly. Despite the bargain prices they serve great Curries freshly prepared and staff are very friendly and always remember you. Bellini's in the town centre A and club by night, but during the day it serves up reasonably-priced, semi-Italian cuisine. Lazim in the Bury Park area Indian restaurant with delicious and affordable food; to get an incredibly-priced buffet, go for lunch or on Sunday evenings. Leaside Hotel - listed in the accommodation section below - Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 6PM Monday - 9:30PM, Saturday noon-9:30PM Tapas £5.50-8.50, Burgers £11 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 café. 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. ZaZa Park Street Authentic Italian family-run restaurant. Huge portions and great value, a proper little piece of Italy in the heart of Luton. For a quick bite, walk through the Arndale (large shopping centre) and grab some ethnic specialities in the market, such as an Indian samosa or savoury African pancake. There are also franchises like Costa, Gregg's, and McDonald's (Please do not support McDonald's as McDonald's supports Israel. Shun this restaurant group and go for altertative brands and if possible for a Muslim owned restaurant). Aroma and the Asian restaurant in the Galaxy, offers an incredible (though pricey) buffet; for cheaper prices, go for lunch. White House attached the Galaxy cinema/bowling/arcade complex Very friendly atmosphere, complete with a fireplace, armchairs, and bookshelves lining the walls. Muslim Friendly Hotels Leaside Brasserie Hotel - 72 New Bedford Road, LU3 1BT ☎ +44 1582 417643 +44 1582 734961 Price From £43 - Victorian family-run hotel with restaurant and four-poster beds. Stockwood Hotel - 41/43 Stockwood Crescent, LU1 3SS ☎ +44 1582 721000 Single from £35 Stay Safe Generally, if you keep your wits about you, you should not run in to any great trouble. Do avoid travelling on your own between midnight and 4am, as drunk people are often looking for fights. If a drunk makes a gesture towards you it is best to ignore them and keep walking. If you have been on a night out it is safest to get a licensed taxi, of which there are plenty. It is not advised to wear a Watford FC shirt in town, especially in evenings or on Saturdays. Despite lacking the great success and history of the Hatters, Watford are considered rivals of Luton Town FC, and Watford shirts are by no means inconspicuous (their team colour is bright yellow). Wearing a Watford shirt is unlikely to attract more than verbal abuse but could turn ugly if you are not careful. It is similarly not advised to wear a Millwall FC shirt in Luton. News & References Travel Next Luton is very well-placed for travelling to many other interesting places. London is a 30-40 minutes train journey away. Whipsnade Zoo, just outside Dunstable. Copyright 2015 - 2024. All Rights reserved by eHalal Group Co., Ltd. To Advertise or sponsor this Travel Guide, please visit our Media Kit and Advertising Rates.