Dunstable, Bedfordshire, England

Town of Dunstable, Bedfordshire

The name Dunstable, or "Dunstaple" as it was usually written in the past, is derived from two Anglo - Saxon words, "Dun" meaning a hill or down and "Staple" meaning market. So Dunstable is quite literally "The market by the Downs". The modern town was established by Henry I some time before 1109 on the site of a former Roman posting station. The King later regularised the markets which were being held at the crossroads of Watling Street and Icknield Way and granted local control over them to the Priory of St Peter in the town's first Charter in 1131.

Dunstable's destiny was established when the Romans dissected Britain East-to-West and North-to-South with major arterial routes.

The resulting crossroads of Watling Street and the prehistoric Icknield Way created a natural communications hub which has since grown into the town we see today which combines the benefits of a basically rural environment supported by significant industrial and commercial development.

In addition to being well served by major road and motorway links, the Town benefits from national rail and international air services accessible in Luton Airport, approximately five miles away from the Dunstable town centre

Official Dunstable website: www.dunstable.gov.uk