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Leighton Buzzard is a town in Bedforshire. Besides having a most unusual and interesting name, it also boasts some interesting attractions and architecture. There is quite a bit here to recommend the town to visitors and tourists.
Historical Background
The town is referenced under an older name in the Domesday Book, where it was referred to as Leestone. The town's present name dates back to Old English. Leighton is a word from older English that means a clearing within the woods. The Buzzard part of the name was given to the town by the Dean of Lincoln in the 1100's. The town lay in his diocese back then, and he had two towns named Leighton. He needed a way to distinguish between them, so he tacked on the names of his local representatives to each town. The other Leighton thus became known as Leighton Bromswold, while this Leighton in Bedfordshire was named for the Theobald de Buscar. Buscar was Anglicized over the years into Buzzard, and the strange name of Leighton Buzzard stuck.
The town is also famed as the site of the Grand Union Canal that opened there. Later, a famous robbery occurred right outside of the town at Bridego Bridge. This event was made legendary in the movie The Great Train Robbery, filmed in the town's train station in 1963.
Architecture and Attractions
Leighton Buzzard is home to the All Saints Church, which is a parish church that dates back to 1277. Called the cathedral of South Bedfordshire, it features a 190 foot tall spire. Although it was damaged by fire in the 1980's, it has since been restored.
The Leighton Buzzard Light Railway is also here. This is a narrow gauge railway that was used in the past. It is a heritage railway, no longer in service.
A historic tunnels' network is found beneath the High Street of Leighton Buzzard. The tunnels are thought to date from the Middle Ages. Although the tunnels have not yet been thoroughly explored, one of them is easy to access from the cellars of Wilkinson Estate Agents, atop Market Square. The tunnel, that extends in a southern direction from the cellar to the Market Tavern Public House, has been sealed up for safety purposes. It is said that a number of other tunnels coming form the other Pubs and the Church connect beneath the street in a network that spans five hundred yards. Experts think that those fearful of religious persecution built the tunnels in the Middle Ages, or alternatively, that they were built during the English Civil War.
Culture
The Library Theater here acts as both a theater and a library. Film screenings, as well as live events, are showcased here on a routine basis.
A great number of dramatic outfits exist within Leighton Buzzard. These include the Leighton Musical Theater Company, the Leighton Buzzard Drama Group, the Leighton Buzzard Children's Theater, and the Leighton Masqueraders. The Leighton Buzzard Writers is a group that supports those who love creative writing.
Besides this, a number of amateur music organizations and groups are found in the town. Among these are the Leighton Buzzard Festival Singers, the Leighton Buzzard Music Center, and the Linsdale Singers.
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