Settlements have existed in the Luton area since the Paleolithic era. The large monument, now called Wouluds Bank, dates back to 3000BC.
Luton dates back to the 6th century when it was a Saxon out-post on the River Lea.
In 1127 the Earl of Gloucester started building St. Mary’s Church in the centre of town this was completed in 1137.
During the middle ages Luton had six water mills and Mill Street in the town centre was names after one of them.
By the year 1240 the town was called Leueton, it had an annual market held in August but as the town of Luton grew it was granted another annual market day to be held in October.
The town in the 16th century became a brick making centre. The following century bought changes and it became very well known for its millinery trade, in particular for straw hats. By the 18th century millinery was more or less Luton’s only industry.
Towards the middle of the 19th century Luton had a railway line and a gas supply. Street lighting was also installed around this time.
In the 20th century the hat making industry fell into decline and was replaced by more modern industries. In 1905 Vauxhall opened their largest car plant in the UK. Also around this time Electrolux opened their factory producing household appliances.
Luton Airport was in use by 1938 it was then owned and run by the council. There are now plans to enlarge the airport, a longer runway is one of the items proposed.
In WWII Vauxhall built Churchill tanks as part of the war effort. During the war Luton was targeted by the Luftwaffe, as a result of this thankfully only 107 people lost their lives but the town suffered badly from the bombings. After the war the town was quickly rebuilt and several housing estates were erected in Luton.
In the late 1960’s the Amdale Centre was opened giving the town its first covered shopping centre.
Vauxhall ceased production in Luton in March 2002 and the site is to be used for housing, retail and entertainment use and will include a casino.
Property for rent is plentiful with prices in the region of £400pcm for studio flat, £600pcm for a 2 bed flat, and 2 and 3 bed houses from £700-£750pcm.
Luton has good rail connections to London, Brighton and the Midlands. There are plans to run a twenty-four hour link from Luton to Luton Airport. The Ml passes close to Luton and the A6 runs through the town.
The student population has grown considerably over the past few years and because of the demand for night life several nightclubs are now open. There is also a good selection of restaurants and because it’s cosmopolitan population they cater for all cultures including Italian, Indian, English, Caribbean, Thai and Malaysian.
Shopping is good in Luton and the town centre shops include Debenhams, Boots, Marks and Spencer, Next and Woolworths these as well as smaller shops total 118 retail premises.
Luton is home to Luton Town Football Club. Their nickname ‘The Hatters’ dates back to the time when it was a millinery town. The club has been running since the early 19th century.
Close to Luton is Whipsnade Wildlife Park this a famous park that opened as a zoo in 1931. Some animals are kept in large enclosures but some of the fowl species such as peacocks are allowed to roam freely round the park. In the past year or two the park has successfully bred from the Indian elephants, African lions and the Asian Rhinos.
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