Cranfield in Bedfordshire

Cranfield is a Village in the county of Bedfordshire.

Cranfield is a town in Bedfordshire, England. Located between Milton Keynes and Bedford.

The town is home to Cranfield University and the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom.

The name Cranfield is derived from the Old English cranbēd meaning ‘crane-bed’, i.e. land that is suitable for growing reeds or osiers (willow trees).

Cranfield was first mentioned in 942 as Crenefelt and later in the Domesday Book as Cranfeld. By 1086 it had become a small village of eight households.

The parish church of St Peter and St Paul dates from the 13th century, although there is evidence of an earlier Saxon church on the site.

In 1290 Cranfield was granted a market charter by King Edward I. This gave the town the right to hold a weekly market, which has continued to the present day.

Cranfield postcode: MK43 0

Retail in Cranfield

There are great places to visit near Cranfield including some great towns, nature reserves, ancient sites, hills, woodlands, rivers and streams, villages, historic buildings, country parks, lakes and shopping centres.

Cranfield has some unmissable towns nearby like Sandy, Bedford, Luton, Dunstable, Leighton Buzzard, Cranfield, and Biggleswade.

The area around Cranfield boasts some of the best nature reserves including RSPB The Lodge, and Sharnbrook Summit.

Places near Cranfield feature a number of interesting ancient sites including Galley Hill Hillfort.

Don't miss Galley Hill Hillfort's hills if visiting the area around Cranfield.

There are a several good woodlands in the area around Cranfield like The Everton Estate.

The area close to Cranfield boasts some of the best rivers and streams including River Great Ouse at Bedford.

There are a number of villages near Cranfield including Stevington, Cardington, Willington - Bedford, Whipsnade, Stewartby, Aspley Guise, and Great Barford.

The area around Cranfield features a number of interesting historic buildings including Stevington Windmill, Willington Dovecote and Stables, Bedford School Chapel, Stewartby Brickworks, Great Barford Bridge, Market Place Woburn, and Town Hall at Woburn.

Country Parks to visit near Cranfield include Priory Country Park, and Dunstable Downs and Whipsnade Estate.

Places near Cranfield feature a number of interesting lakes including Priory Lake.

Places near Cranfield feature a number of interesting shopping centres including The Mall Luton.

Cranfield History

There are some historic monuments around Cranfield:

Places to see near Cranfield

Lakes near Cranfield

    Where to Eat in Cranfield