Luton is a large town in Bedfordshire, some 35 miles north of London. It's a multicultural town with a population of about 200,000. It used to have a straw and hat-making trade, hence "The Hatters" nickname of Luton football club; a couple of factories remain along the Old Bedford Road. Luton later produced Vauxhall cars and Whitbread beers, but little of these remain. Most people only come here for London Luton Airport, a major hub for budget & charter flights. The airport is described below but the focus of this page is the town itself.
Luton's TIC has helpfully been placed five miles from town, in Dunstable, so little good it will do you.
- Luton Museum & Art Gallery, Wardown Park, Old Bedford Road, +44 1582 546739.
- Stockwood Discovery Centre, Farley Hill, LU1 4BH, +44 1582 738714.
- 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, the eastern edge of the Chilterns and a popular place for walking, gliding and kite-flying.
- Shaw's Corner, Ayot St Lawrence (on the way to Welwyn Garden City. This was George Bernard Shaw's home and is now owned by the National Trust.
- Someries Castle. 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.
Luton Museum & Art Gallery, Wardown Park, Old Bedford Road, +44 1582 546739.
Stockwood Discovery Centre, Farley Hill, LU1 4BH, +44 1582 738714.
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, the eastern edge of the Chilterns and a popular place for walking, gliding and kite-flying.
Shaw's Corner, Ayot St Lawrence (on the way to Welwyn Garden City. This was George Bernard Shaw's home and is now owned by the National Trust.
Someries Castle. 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.
- Watch football ie soccer at Kenilworth Stadium, 1 Maple Road, LU4 8AW. This is the home of Luton Town FC, "The Hatters". They were promoted in 2019 so they now play in the Championship, the second 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 mosques and interesting temples such as Guru Nanak Gurdwara, as well as a jewellery market and curry 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, the Stockwood Discovery Centre, houses the unique Mossman Horse-Drawn Carriage Collection as well displaying local rural crafts and trades
- Luton Carnival, one of the largest summer carnivals in Europe.
Watch football ie soccer at Kenilworth Stadium, 1 Maple Road, LU4 8AW. This is the home of Luton Town FC, "The Hatters". They were promoted in 2019 so they now play in the Championship, the second 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 mosques and interesting temples such as Guru Nanak Gurdwara, as well as a jewellery market and curry 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, the Stockwood Discovery Centre, houses the unique Mossman Horse-Drawn Carriage Collection as well displaying local rural crafts and trades
Standard shop brands such as Debenhams, Marks & Spencer, Primark, Wilkinson, TK Maxx
- The Mall Luton. was 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: St Albans, Hitchin and Welwyn Garden City.
The Mall Luton. was the largest indoor shopping centre in Europe when it was opened in 1971, and it includes a large indoor market.
- Balti Nights, Wellington Street (just off the High Street by the Town Hall. Great value curry house, has an offer of a popadom, curry, 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. A bar and club by night, but during the day it serves up reasonably-priced, semi-Italian cuisine.
- Lazim. Indian restaurant with delicious and affordable food; to get an incredibly-priced buffet, go for lunch or on Sunday evenings.
- Leaside Hotel. M-F 6PM-9:30PM, Sa noon-9:30PM. 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 bar. 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. Tapas £5.50-8.50, burgers £11.
- 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. Aroma, the Asian restaurant in the Galaxy, offers an incredible (though pricey) buffet; for cheaper prices, go for lunch.
Balti Nights, Wellington Street (just off the High Street by the Town Hall. Great value curry house, has an offer of a popadom, curry, 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. A bar and club by night, but during the day it serves up reasonably-priced, semi-Italian cuisine.
Lazim. Indian restaurant with delicious and affordable food; to get an incredibly-priced buffet, go for lunch or on Sunday evenings.
Leaside Hotel. M-F 6PM-9:30PM, Sa noon-9:30PM. 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 bar. 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. Tapas £5.50-8.50, burgers £11.
ZaZa, Park Street. Authentic Italian family-run restaurant. Huge portions and great value, a proper little piece of Italy in the heart of Luton.
- White House. Very friendly atmosphere, complete with a fireplace, armchairs, and bookshelves lining the walls.
White House. Very friendly atmosphere, complete with a fireplace, armchairs, and bookshelves lining the walls.
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.
Luton is very well-placed for travelling to many other interesting places.
Whipsnade Zoo, just outside [[Dunstable]].