Dunstable factfile

How to get to Dunstable
Dunstable is a historic market town in the county of Bedfordshire, situated at the eastern end of the Chiltern hills. Dunstable is approximately 36 miles north of London and is served by the main A5 route. It no longer has its own railway station but is well-connected through frequent bus services.

How Dunstable got its name
The name Dunstable, or "Dunstaple" as it was formerly written, comes from two Anglo-Saxon words, "Dun" meaning a hill or down and "Staple" meaning market, and Dunstable remains an important market town to this day. The modern town dates back to around 1109, where it was established on the site of a former Roman post, and was granted its first charter by the King in 1131.

Shopping in Dunstable
Dunstable might be only 36 miles from London but residents don't need to head for the West End to hunt down their glad rags. The town has five main shopping areas within walking distance of the central crossroads. From high street names to traditional markets, Dunstable has something for everyone.

The long-established Outdoor Market takes place every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday in the Market Square and town centre car park.

Dunstable through the ages
For those interested in exploring Dunstable's historic past, the Priory House Heritage Centre in High Street South contains exhibits of archaeological finds, textiles, costumes, local history and industry.

The town is also home to the Priory Church, where King Henry VIII formalised his divorce from his first wife Catherine of Aragon.

ZSL Whipsnade Zoo is just outside Dunstable. The zoo is open every day, except Christmas day, and offers all the family favourites as well as some rarer attractions such as a ring-tailed lemur island and gorilla kingdom.

Arts and culture in Dunstable
April 2007 saw the opening of the Grove Theatre, Dunstable's long-awaited multi-million pound theatre complex, which regularly stages both local and national productions. The complex has a 1,000-capacity auditorium and a range of places to eat.

On a smaller scale, the long-established Little Theatre, the home of the Dunstable Rep Theatre Group on High Street South, hosts productions throughout the year.

Sports and leisure in Dunstable
Dunstable offers more than 180 acres of parks, gardens and open spaces, not to mention football pitches, cricket grounds, a bowing green and tennis courts. The town also boasts its own football club—Dunstable Town FC.

Further afield, Dunstable Downs is a chalk escarpment ideal for walking, kite flying and, for the more adventurous, paragliding and hang-gliding.