Estate Agents in Dunstable
Historic market town living on the edge of the Chiltern Hills, with excellent road links, the Busway to Luton and the Downs on your doorstep. Discover what makes Dunstable a great place to call home.
About Dunstable
Dunstable is a historic market town in Bedfordshire, set on the edge of the Chiltern Hills between Luton, Milton Keynes, Leighton Buzzard and Hemel Hempstead. With its historic character, good transport links and countryside on the doorstep, it suits families, commuters, first-time buyers and anyone looking for a well-connected place to call home.
The town was established as a market town in the early 12th century by King Henry I, and the Augustinian Priory played an important part in its growth. Reminders of that past are found throughout the town centre, including the Priory Church of St Peter, Priory Gardens and Priory House, a Grade II* listed building with 13th-century vaulted ceilings that is being restored and is expected to fully reopen in early 2027.
Whether you are buying your first home, moving to accommodate a growing family or relocating to a well-connected Bedfordshire town, Dunstable offers a varied choice of property and lifestyle.
Local amenities and entertainment
Dunstable has a good range of shops, cafés, restaurants, pubs and everyday amenities centred on the High Street and town centre, including the Quadrant Shopping Centre and a variety of independent businesses. Middle Row Market and The Square host independent traders selling food, crafts and other goods.
Priory Gardens, with its medieval physic garden and historic gateway, and Grove House Gardens, with mature trees, an inclusive play area, sculptures and a performance area, are both Green Flag Award-winning green spaces in the heart of the town.
The nearby Dunstable Downs offer sweeping views across the Chilterns and are popular with walkers, cyclists and families, while Whipsnade Zoo is close by for a family day out. Luton and Milton Keynes provide further shopping, entertainment and leisure options.
Education
Dunstable offers a good selection of schools, with primary and secondary education available in the town and surrounding area.
For younger children, local schools include Dunstable Icknield Lower School (ages 3 to 9), Hadrian Academy (4 to 11), Lancot School (3 to 11) and The Vale Academy (2 to 11). For older pupils, Priory Academy takes children aged 9 to 16, while Queensbury Academy and All Saints Academy offer secondary education.
Families also have access to more schools in Luton, Leighton Buzzard and the nearby villages. We recommend checking admissions arrangements with each school and Central Bedfordshire Council.
Transport links
Dunstable is close to the M1, with straightforward access towards London and the Midlands, while the A5 and A505 link the town with Luton, Leighton Buzzard and Milton Keynes.
The town does not have its own railway station, but the Luton Dunstable Busway runs on a dedicated route to Luton Station Interchange and London Luton Airport, with buses up to every seven to eight minutes at peak times. The journey to Luton Station Interchange takes around 15 minutes, with Thameslink trains on to St Albans and London St Pancras.
For anyone who travels regularly across Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire, Dunstable is an appealing and well-connected base.
Photo: Lewis Clarke, CC BY-SA 2.0, adapted
Get your guide to selling
Selling a property in Dunstable and the surrounding villages? Whether you’ve never sold or haven’t for a long time, we’ve put together the information you need in this handy guide.