Homes to Rent and Buy in Willington

Willington is about four miles east of Bedford on the road to Sandy. The parish is long and thin, running south-east from the River Great Ouse, with the village at its northern end. Around 750 people lived here at the 2011 census.

Its best-known building is Willington Dovecote, built around 1543 by Sir John Gostwick, with about 700 nesting boxes in each of its two chambers. It and the stables next door are Grade I listed and have belonged to the National Trust since 1914. By the river is Danish Camp, an 11th-century moated site with its own dock, although there’s no evidence the Danes ever used it. Church Road has cottages built for the Dukes of Bedford, and St Lawrence’s Church has a grand 16th-century chapel.

The Crown on Station Road is a community free house and was named CAMRA’s North Bedfordshire Community Pub of the Year for 2026. The old railway line is now National Cycle Route 51, which makes for an easy ride into Bedford. Children go to Sheerhatch Primary School in neighbouring Cople.

The 72 and 73 buses run to Bedford and Sandy. Willington suits people who want a village with real character close to town.