The village of Caddington is situated between Dunstable and Luton, and has a population of almost 4,000 residents.
It is near Slip End, Markyate and Kensworth and has recently been developed, with more residential areas and amenities.
History
Caddington has its very own brick, with the Caddington Blue (an engineering brick) named after it – although some are a bit sketchy as to the credibility of this. However, as Caddington was once the centre of a thriving brick industry, the Luton Grey, which was found commonly in Caddington, was referred to in a special book about the history of bricks, produced in 1970s by Bedfordshire County Council in conjunction with the Royal Commission on Historical Monuments. The Luton Grey was a brick produced from flinty brick earths excavated from around the Kensworth/Caddington/Stopsley area.
Amenities
It has schools, churches and a public hall and is within easy reach of Luton, St Albans, Harpenden and Dunstable by car or public transport. The village is served by several shops, including a Post Office, sandwich shop, estate agents, hairdressers and Co-op supermarket.
Transport and rail links
There are 17 local bus services from Caddington, whose nearest train station is Luton. Harpenden train station is also close by. London and St Albans are a short train or car journey away from Caddington and although bus services do run, you would be better to have your own transport, as village public transport services can be less convenient. Luton Airport is on your doorstep as are the M1, M25 and A1(M) for easy access to main routes, to the north and south, by car.
Schools
Manshead School – the modern successor to Dunstable Grammar, which closed in 1971 – was placed in special measures by Ofsted last year. A visit by inspectors in May confirmed that leaders and managers are taking effective action towards the removal of special measures, however.
Primary-aged children are served by Caddington Village School, which was rated ‘Good’ by Oftsed last year.
Churches
Caddington has a number of pretty historic churches, notably the Anglican All Saints Church in the middle of the village, St Thomas Apostle Roman Catholic Church in Manor Road and Caddington Baptist Church on Luton Road. Additionally, Aley Green Methodist Church is in the nearby village of Aley Green.
Sport and leisure
Caddington has its own non-league football team Caddington FC and a thriving cricket club comprising three adult teams and a youth development section. There’s also Chequers FC, which compete in the Leighton and District Sunday Football League.
The Chequers pub also sponsored the village’s newest football club, AFC Chequers Caddington, who play in the South Beds and District Sunday football league.
Football and cricket fixtures are hosted at the Caddington Recreation Association, in Manor Road, which has a function room and members’ bar.
Caddington Golf Club is currently closed for redevelopment, and will reopen as a 27-hole complex.
There’s an annual village show every September featuring local produce, a craft fair and dog show. Whipsnade Zoo is very close by.
Food and drink
Places to eat and drink in Caddington include The Cricketers and The Chequers pubs, which are located on either side of the village green, and the members’ bar at Caddington Recreation Association.
There’s also an Indian restaurant, Spice of Caddington, plus pizza, fish and chips and Chinese takeaways.
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