Luton

Luton is a unitary authority in Bedfordshire, in the East of England. The borough includes the town of Luton and surrounding suburbs such as Leagrave and Stopsley. Transport links are prominent: London Luton Airport sits in the north of the borough, the Midland Main Line serves Luton station with Thameslink services to London, and the M1 runs close to the western boundary. The River Lea rises in the district and flows through Wardown Park, which sits near the town centre and the University of Bedfordshire campus.

The town grew in the 19th century around hat making; traces of that industry remain in museums and street names. Wardown Museum holds a collection documenting the hat trade, including hat blocks and finished pieces from local workshops. Today the local economy combines airport-related activity, retail and light industry, and community institutions such as Luton Town Football Club at Kenilworth Road. Local markets, places of worship and community centres reflect long-settled residential areas and waves of more recent settlement within the borough.