Abbey Close Bedford
12 addresses across 1 postcode (MK42), about 40 m long, classed as a local road. USRN 27302012.
- Sales: 2 recorded sales since 1995; in 2014 the median was £190,000 across 1 sale.
- Energy: 10 homes have an energy certificate (C: 3, D: 5, E: 2).
- Flood: No address on its postcodes is in an area at high or medium risk of flooding from rivers, the sea or surface water.
- Council tax: Most homes around it are in council tax band F; Band D in Bedford costs £2,472 a year in 2026-27.
- Broadband: Gigabit broadband is available to 0% of premises.
- Transport: The nearest railway station is Bedford St Johns, about 1.6 km (1 mile) away in a straight line.
- Green space: The nearest park or garden, The Green, is about 160 m away.
- Air: Background air pollution in 2024 was 10.1 µg/m³ of nitrogen dioxide and 7.4 of PM2.5, within UK legal limits.
- Height: It is about 30 m above sea level.
- Noise: 2 of its 12 addresses are modelled at 55 dB or more from road traffic.
- Doctors: The nearest GP surgery is London Road Health Centre, about 1.5 km (0.9 miles) away.
- People: About 350 people lived in the census areas around it in 2021; 37% of households owned their home and 29% of adults held a degree or other higher qualification.
- Crime: 13 crimes were recorded within 250 m between September 2025 and August 2026, most often anti-social behaviour.
Sales on this street
| Year | Sales | Median price | Lowest | Highest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 1 | £190,000 | £190,000 | £190,000 |
| 1999 | 1 | £34,000 | £34,000 | £34,000 |
| Date | Address | Type | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 Apr 2014 | 6 MK42 9XX | Semi-detached | £190,000 | |
| 28 Jun 1999 | 1 MK42 9XX | Semi-detached | £34,000 | Leasehold. |
Energy performance certificates
10 homes with a current certificate; median floor area 49 m². Most common: Flat (8); House, semi-detached (2). Built: 1983-1990 (5); 1967-1975 (2); 1991-1995 (2). Tenure at assessment: rented (social) (6); rented (private) (2); owner-occupied (1).
Each home's certificates and sales (6 addresses)
Council tax
What each band costs in Bedford in 2026-27: Band D £2,472 a year on average, including the police, fire and any county and parish charges.
| A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £1,648 | £1,922 | £2,197 | £2,472 | £3,021 | £3,570 | £4,120 | £4,943 |
Homes by band in the neighbourhood around this street: most are in band F (27% of about 700 homes).
Planning and heritage
- Conservation area: yes, Elstow (council page). Extensions, demolition, some windows and doors, and work on trees need consent.
- Listed buildings on or by this street: none.
- Article 4 direction (removing permitted development rights): none recorded, though not every council has published theirs.
- Tree preservation orders: none recorded, though not every council has published theirs.
- Green belt: no.
Brownfield land registered for housing within 1 km (0.6 miles)
- 268 to 308 Ampthill Road, Bedford, not permissioned (410 m (0.3 miles))
- Technology House, 239 Ampthill Road, Bedford: up to 18 homes, permissioned (680 m (0.4 miles))
- Technology House, 239 Ampthill Road, Bedford: up to 41 homes, permissioned (680 m (0.4 miles))
- Land at College Road & Muswell Road, Bedford: up to 7 homes, permissioned (850 m (0.5 miles))
- Newnorth Print College Street Kempston, permissioned (860 m (0.5 miles))
- Newnorth Print, College Street, Kempston: up to 30 homes, permissioned (870 m (0.5 miles))
- 66 College Street Kempston, not permissioned (900 m (0.6 miles))
Roadworks
No street works under way, planned or finished in the last three months on this street, in permits up to 30 September 2026.
Flood risk
No address in this street's postcodes is in an area at high, medium or low risk of flooding from rivers, the sea or surface water. The rest are in areas at very low risk: less than a 0.1% (1 in 1,000) chance a year.
Rivers and the sea alone: no home is in an area at risk.
High: 3.3% (1 in 30) or more chance of flooding a year. Medium: 1% to 3.3%. Low: 0.1% to 1%. Very low: under 0.1%. The rivers and sea figures allow for flood defences. Counts cover whole postcodes, which can include other streets.
Flood zone for planning: no postcode centre is in flood zone 2 or 3.
Height above sea level
The street's addresses are about 30 m above sea level.
Broadband
| Postcode | Superfast (30 Mbit/s+) | Ultrafast (300 Mbit/s+) | Gigabit | Below 10 Mbit/s |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MK42 9XX | 100% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
Getting around
| Nearest | Distance | |
|---|---|---|
| Railway stations | Bedford St Johns 176,000 journeys in 2024–25 | 1.6 km (1 mile) |
| Bedford 3.8 million journeys in 2024–25 | 2.4 km (1.5 miles) | |
| Kempston Hardwick 9,780 journeys in 2024–25 | 3.4 km (2.1 miles) | |
| Bus stops | 8 stops within 400 m (0.2 miles), 23 within 800 m (0.5 miles); nearest West End Elstow | 140 m |
| Bus or coach station | Bus Station Bedford | 2.5 km (1.5 miles) |
| Car parks | 1 within 800 m (0.5 miles); nearest Parking Elstow Park and Ride | 630 m (0.4 miles) |
| EV charging points | 5 within 1.6 km (1 mile); nearest bp pulse Charging Station | 640 m (0.4 miles) |
| Airport with scheduled flights | London Luton Airport LTN | 27.6 km (17 miles) |
Local services
| Nearest | Distance | |
|---|---|---|
| GP surgeries | 1 practices within 1.6 km (1 mile); nearest London Road Health Centre | 1.5 km (0.9 miles) |
| Pharmacies | 3 pharmacies within 1.6 km (1 mile); nearest Boots | 1.2 km (0.7 miles) |
| NHS dentists | 1 practices within 1.6 km (1 mile); nearest London Road Health Centre | 1.5 km (0.9 miles) |
| Hospital | Bedford Hospital | 1.5 km (1 mile) |
| Police station | Bedfordshire Police Federation | 1.6 km (1 mile) |
| Cash machines | Kempston Local Shopper Cashzone | 910 m (0.6 miles) |
Parks and green space
| Nearest | Distance | |
|---|---|---|
| Park or garden | 3 within 800 m (0.5 miles); nearest The Green 8,460 m² | 160 m |
| Largest park within 800 m (0.5 miles) | Unnamed 3.5 ha | 230 m |
| Play area | 11 within 800 m (0.5 miles); nearest Unnamed 130 m² | 360 m |
| Playing field | 4 within 800 m (0.5 miles); nearest Unnamed 4.5 ha | 430 m (0.3 miles) |
| Allotments | 1 within 800 m (0.5 miles); nearest Unnamed 2,730 m² | 20 m |
Within 800 m (0.5 miles): 3 parks and gardens, 4.5 hectares in all.
Landmarks
The nearest historic landmark is Parish Church Tower, a listed building (Grade I), 70 m east. 31 listed buildings are within 1 km (0.6 miles), 3 of them Grade I and 2 of them Grade II*.
| Name | What it is | From the middle of the street |
|---|---|---|
| Parish Church Tower | Listed building, Grade I | 70 m east |
| Parish Church of St Mary and St Helena | Listed building, Grade I | 80 m east |
| Hillersdon Mansion | Listed building, Grade I | 110 m east |
| Elstow Manor House (Remains of) | Scheduled monument | 160 m east |
| Moot Hall | Listed building, Grade II* | 160 m north-east |
| Name | What it is | From the middle of the street |
|---|---|---|
| Hollow Lake | Lake or reservoir | 1.8 km (1.1 miles) south |
| Causeway Lake | Lake or reservoir | 2.2 km (1.3 miles) south |
| Rink Islands | Island | 2.2 km (1.4 miles) north |
| Castle Hill | Hill | 2.3 km (1.4 miles) north |
| Longholme Island | Island | 2.5 km (1.5 miles) north-east |
| Press Meadow | Wood | 2.6 km (1.6 miles) north-east |
Air quality
| Pollutant | Here | UK limit | WHO guideline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) | 10.1 | 40 | 10 |
| Fine particles (PM2.5) | 7.4 | 20 | 5 |
| Particles (PM10) | 12.7 | 40 | 15 |
All three are within the UK legal limits; nitrogen dioxide and PM2.5 are above the WHO guideline, as in most towns and cities.
Road and rail noise
| Level | Road traffic | Railways |
|---|---|---|
| 55 to 59 | 2 | 0 |
| Under 55 | 10 | 12 |
2 of the street's 12 addresses are modelled at 55 dB or more from road traffic, above the WHO guidelines.
Climate, daylight and earthquakes
Monthly temperatures and rainfall, sunrise and sunset through the year, and earthquakes recorded nearby since 1970 are much the same across the area, so they are worked out once for Bedford: see them on the Bedford page.
Nearest schools
| School | Phase | Ages | Distance | Inspection |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elstow School | Primary | 4–11 | 510 m (0.3 miles) | No published inspection |
| Daubeney Academy | Secondary | 11–16 | 1 km (0.6 miles) | No overall grade (Jul 2025, graded inspection without an overall judgement): Quality of education: Good; Behaviour and attitudes: Outstanding; Personal development: Outstanding; Leadership and management: Outstanding |
| Camestone School | Primary | 4–11 | 1.1 km (0.7 miles) | No published inspection |
| Springfield Primary School | Primary | 4–11 | 1.1 km (0.7 miles) | Good (Jun 2022, overall grade under the previous framework) |
| Cherry Trees Nursery School | Nursery | 2–5 | 1.1 km (0.7 miles) | No published inspection |
| Shackleton Primary School | Primary | 4–11 | 1.2 km (0.7 miles) | Report card (Jan 2026): Curriculum and teaching: Expected standard; Achievement: Needs attention; Attendance and behaviour: Expected standard; Personal development and wellbeing: Expected standard; Inclusion: Expected standard; Leadership and governance: Expected standard; Early years: Expected standard; Safeguarding standards: Met |
| Cauldwell School | Primary | 4–11 | 1.3 km (0.8 miles) | Report card (Nov 2025): Curriculum and teaching: Expected standard; Achievement: Expected standard; Attendance and behaviour: Strong standard; Personal development and wellbeing: Strong standard; Inclusion: Strong standard; Leadership and governance: Expected standard; Early years: Needs attention; Safeguarding standards: Met |
| Bedford Academy | Secondary | 11–18 | 1.3 km (0.8 miles) | Good (Mar 2023, overall grade under the previous framework) |
| Peter Pan Nursery School | Nursery | 2–5 | 1.3 km (0.8 miles) | No published inspection |
| King's Oak Primary School | Primary | 1–11 | 1.6 km (1 mile) | Report card (May 2026): Curriculum and teaching: Strong standard; Achievement: Expected standard; Attendance and behaviour: Expected standard; Personal development and wellbeing: Strong standard; Inclusion: Strong standard; Leadership and governance: Strong standard; Early years: Strong standard; Safeguarding standards: Met |
| Bedford Road Primary Academy | Primary | 5–11 | 1.8 km (1.1 miles) | Report card (Dec 2025): Curriculum and teaching: Expected standard; Achievement: Needs attention; Attendance and behaviour: Expected standard; Personal development and wellbeing: Expected standard; Inclusion: Expected standard; Leadership and governance: Expected standard; Early years: Expected standard; Safeguarding standards: Met |
| Bedford Free School | Secondary | 11–16 | 2 km (1.2 miles) | Outstanding (Jan 2020, overall grade under the previous framework) |
Food hygiene ratings nearby
| Business | Type | Distance | Rating | Rated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elstow Post Office (Movianto) MK42 9XU | Retailers - other | 200 m | 5 Very good | 1 Feb 2023 |
| The Alcove and Rooms MK42 9XU | Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 200 m | Awaiting inspection | |
| Red Lion (Sizzling Pub Co) MK42 9XP | Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 220 m | 5 Very good | 17 Jan 2026 |
| St Helena MK42 9XP | Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 270 m | 5 Very good | 29 May 2025 |
| Milk and More MK42 9QT | Distributors/Transporters | 380 m | 5 Very good | 28 Mar 2024 |
| NAH FOODS LTD MK42 9QJ | Distributors/Transporters | 460 m (0.3 miles) | 5 Very good | 15 Jan 2026 |
Crime within 250 m
| Category | Crimes |
|---|---|
| Anti-social behaviour | 6 |
| Other theft | 1 |
| Violence and sexual offences | 1 |
| Burglary | 1 |
| Criminal damage and arson | 1 |
| Possession of weapons | 1 |
| Other crime | 1 |
| Vehicle crime | 1 |
Most of these are attached to: On or near West End (7); On or near High Street (5); On or near Abbey Close (1).
People and work
Who lives here
| Around this street | England | |
|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42 | 40 |
| Children under 15 | 16% | 17% |
| Aged 65 and over | 20% | 18% |
Homes
| Around this street | England | |
|---|---|---|
| Owned (outright or with a mortgage) | 37% | 61% |
| Owned outright | 11% | 33% |
| Shared ownership | 0% | 1% |
| Social rented | 35% | 17% |
| Private rented | 27% | 21% |
Work and commuting
| Around this street | England | |
|---|---|---|
| Adults (16 and over) in work | 59% | 57% |
| Unemployment (of those working or looking for work) | 6% | 6% |
| Retired (of adults) | 21% | 22% |
| Long-term sick or disabled (of adults) | 7% | 4% |
| Work mainly from home (of those in work) | 34% | 32% |
| Travel to work by car or van | 55% | 48% |
| By train, Underground, metro or tram | 0% | 4% |
| By any public transport, including bus | 2% | 8% |
| On foot or by bicycle | 6% | 10% |
| Work within 10 km (6 miles) of home (of those who travel to work) | 53% | 65% |
| Work 30 km (19 miles) or more away | 8% | 8% |
Education and languages
| Around this street | England | |
|---|---|---|
| Degree or other higher qualification, Level 4+ (of adults) | 29% | 34% |
| No qualifications | 19% | 18% |
| Apprenticeship as highest qualification | 7% | 5% |
| Main language English (aged 3 and over) | 91% | 91% |
| Cannot speak English well or at all | 3% | 2% |
Deprivation
The neighbourhood around this street is in decile 6 of 10 on the English Indices of Deprivation 2025, where 1 is the most deprived tenth of England's 33,755 neighbourhoods and 10 the least.
What has changed
- Energy certificates New energy certificate: band D, flat (lodged 28 October 2026) found 2 November 2026
Postcodes on this street
- MK42 9XX: 12 addresses of 13 in the postcode
Nearby streets
Church End · St Helenas Garden · Bunyans Mead · St Marys Close · Little Townsend Close · High Street · West End · Prudden Close · West End · Wigram Close · Tipcat Close · Hillesden Avenue
What this page cannot tell you
- Whether a particular house is at risk of flooding, subsiding or anything else: the flood map is a model of areas and there is no property-level data here.
- What a home is worth now: sales are historic prices for the homes that happened to sell.
- How safe the street is: crime points are moved to anonymised locations and many crimes are never reported.
- Whether you would get a place at a school: distances are straight lines, not catchments.
- Who lives on the street now: census figures describe the small areas around it in March 2021, during a lockdown.
- How long a journey takes or how often anything runs: transport distances are straight lines to the nearest stops.
- Whether a GP practice is taking new patients, or a dentist new NHS patients.
- How loud a home is inside, or noise from industry, neighbours or smaller airfields: noise figures are models of road, rail and air traffic outside.
How each figure on this page is matched to the street and worked out: methodology.