A major transport hub 30 miles north of London with the UK's fifth-busiest airport. Home to the Luton Carnival, Britain's largest one-day street festival.
Located 32 miles northwest of London, Luton draws crowds to watch Premier League matches at Kenilworth Road stadium, explore the Victorian-era Wardown Park Museum, and join the May carnival celebrations where Caribbean music and dancing fill the streets. You can walk through the Norman arches of St Mary's Church or spend an afternoon in the six themed gardens of Stockwood Park.
Getting Around Luton
London Luton Airport links to over 145 international destinations. Three railway stations connect you to London and other major cities, with trains running every 10 minutes from Luton Airport Parkway to central London (40-minute journey). The M1 motorway runs alongside the town. Local buses run every 15-20 minutes throughout Luton and to nearby towns.
Parks and Museums
Walk along the River Lea in Wardown Park, where you can play tennis, cricket, or bowls. The Victorian mansion in the park center tells Luton's story through its hat-making artifacts, including over 600 hats from the 1600s onwards. Stockwood Park's six period gardens range from the Elizabethan knot garden to the Victorian pleasure garden. The park also displays carriages, farming tools, and equipment showing how local agriculture evolved from medieval times to the 20th century.
Cultural Events and Entertainment
Each May, the Luton International Carnival brings 2,000 performers to the streets, with Caribbean steel bands, dance groups, and colorful costumes. Throughout the year, you can learn carnival dance and costume-making at the UK Centre for Carnival Arts. The Saint Patrick's festival in March includes Irish music concerts, dance performances, and community events across the town.
Sports Scene
Watch Premier League football at Kenilworth Road, home to Luton Town FC since 1905. The 10,356-capacity stadium maintains its close-to-the-pitch viewing experience with covered terracing. A new 23,000-seat stadium is under construction near the town center.
Shopping and Urban Life
Browse through over 100 shops at The Mall Luton in the town center. George Street and Park Street have independent shops, cafes, and local food stores. St Mary's Church, dating from 1121, has Norman architecture with later Gothic additions. You can see its medieval wall paintings and carved stone details during visiting hours from 9am to 4pm most days.
