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Great Billington

Civil Parish in Bedfordshire

England

Great Billington

Leighton Buzzard: Doll Doll being the name of this 1919 built steam engine on the narrow gauge Leighton Buzzard Railway. This photograph was taken at the Page's Park terminus station. The railway was originally built in 1919 to carry sand from nearby quarries to the now dismantled Leighton Buzzard to Dunstable standard gauge railway line close to Page's Park. It closed as an industrial line in 1969, but was taken over by volunteers to be run as a heritage railway. The railway has a very informative website here <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://www.buzzrail.co.uk/" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://www.buzzrail.co.uk/">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>
Leighton Buzzard: Doll Credit: Nigel Cox

Great Billington is a civil parish located in the county of Bedfordshire, England. Situated approximately 3 miles south of Leighton Buzzard, it covers an area of around 3 square miles. The parish is primarily rural, characterized by rolling countryside and farmland.

The village of Great Billington itself is small and consists of a few scattered houses and farmsteads. It is surrounded by picturesque landscapes, including woodlands, meadows, and hedgerows, which provide habitat for a variety of wildlife. The River Ouzel flows through the parish, adding to its natural beauty.

Historically, Great Billington has been inhabited since ancient times, with evidence of settlement dating back to the Iron Age. The area has seen various influences over the centuries, including Roman and Anglo-Saxon occupation. The parish is also home to the Great Billington Manor, a Grade II listed building that has stood since the 17th century.

Although Great Billington is predominantly rural, it benefits from its proximity to Leighton Buzzard, where residents have access to amenities such as shops, schools, and healthcare services. The parish is well-connected by road, with the A505 running through its northern boundary, providing easy access to nearby towns and cities.

Great Billington offers a peaceful and idyllic setting, making it a desirable location for those seeking a rural lifestyle within easy reach of urban amenities. Its natural beauty, historical significance, and convenient location contribute to its appeal as a place to live and visit.

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Great Billington Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 51.893156/-0.637157 or Grid Reference SP9322. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Leighton Buzzard: Doll Doll being the name of this 1919 built steam engine on the narrow gauge Leighton Buzzard Railway. This photograph was taken at the Page's Park terminus station. The railway was originally built in 1919 to carry sand from nearby quarries to the now dismantled Leighton Buzzard to Dunstable standard gauge railway line close to Page's Park. It closed as an industrial line in 1969, but was taken over by volunteers to be run as a heritage railway. The railway has a very informative website here <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://www.buzzrail.co.uk/" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://www.buzzrail.co.uk/">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>
Leighton Buzzard: Doll
Doll being the name of this 1919 built steam engine on the narrow gauge Leighton Buzzard Railway. This photograph was taken at the Page's Park terminus station. The railway was originally built in 1919 to carry sand from nearby quarries to the now dismantled Leighton Buzzard to Dunstable standard gauge railway line close to Page's Park. It closed as an industrial line in 1969, but was taken over by volunteers to be run as a heritage railway. The railway has a very informative website here LinkExternal link
"Carpenters Arms", Slapton The pub lies on Horton Road in the middle of the village. Viewed looking North.
"Carpenters Arms", Slapton
The pub lies on Horton Road in the middle of the village. Viewed looking North.
Holy Cross Church, Slapton The church lies on the Eastern edge of the Village. Viewed looking North East.
Holy Cross Church, Slapton
The church lies on the Eastern edge of the Village. Viewed looking North East.
Holy Cross, Slapton I think the blue netting is probably there in an attempt to discourage people from venturing too near to the tower as it looks to be visibly disintegrating ! This churchyard is frequented by surly looking sheep. More information about Slapton and Holy Cross church here <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.asp?compid=42590" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.asp?compid=42590">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>
Holy Cross, Slapton
I think the blue netting is probably there in an attempt to discourage people from venturing too near to the tower as it looks to be visibly disintegrating ! This churchyard is frequented by surly looking sheep. More information about Slapton and Holy Cross church here LinkExternal link
Surly sheep, Slapton churchyard These sheep seemed decidedly grumpy - perhaps because I'd disturbed their afternoon snooze.
Surly sheep, Slapton churchyard
These sheep seemed decidedly grumpy - perhaps because I'd disturbed their afternoon snooze.
The Carpenters Arms, Slapton Very neat thatch on this country village pub. The sign declares "Real Ale, Scrumpy Cider, Fine Wines" - Sounds good to me.
The Carpenters Arms, Slapton
Very neat thatch on this country village pub. The sign declares "Real Ale, Scrumpy Cider, Fine Wines" - Sounds good to me.
Crumbling Tower A close-up of the crumbling masonry of the tower of Slapton's church of the Holy Cross.
Crumbling Tower
A close-up of the crumbling masonry of the tower of Slapton's church of the Holy Cross.
Ouzel Brook Looking North-East as the lane called The Rye crosses the Ouzel Brook between Eaton Bray and Billington. Originally I thought that this was the River Ouzel, but in fact it joins that river just a few hundred yards to the southwest in this same square. Looking at the map, the River Ouzel can be seen coming northwestwards from the direction of Eaton Bray and joining this Ouzel Brook at a T-junction. The River Ouzel is the county boundary between Buckinghamshire (to the south) and Bedfordshire (to the north). This county boundary is marked by dark dashes and dots along its course, while the Ouzel Brook has the dots of a Civil Parish boundary, with Billington CP to the NW and Eaton Bray CP to the SE.
Ouzel Brook
Looking North-East as the lane called The Rye crosses the Ouzel Brook between Eaton Bray and Billington. Originally I thought that this was the River Ouzel, but in fact it joins that river just a few hundred yards to the southwest in this same square. Looking at the map, the River Ouzel can be seen coming northwestwards from the direction of Eaton Bray and joining this Ouzel Brook at a T-junction. The River Ouzel is the county boundary between Buckinghamshire (to the south) and Bedfordshire (to the north). This county boundary is marked by dark dashes and dots along its course, while the Ouzel Brook has the dots of a Civil Parish boundary, with Billington CP to the NW and Eaton Bray CP to the SE.
Ouzel Brook off The Rye Looking South-West as the lane called The Rye crosses the Ouzel Brook between Eaton Bray and Billington. About 300 yards/metres to the Southwest this brook meets the - not much bigger - River Ouzel. For more information see <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/182656">SP9521 : Ouzel Brook</a>
Ouzel Brook off The Rye
Looking South-West as the lane called The Rye crosses the Ouzel Brook between Eaton Bray and Billington. About 300 yards/metres to the Southwest this brook meets the - not much bigger - River Ouzel. For more information see SP9521 : Ouzel Brook
Farm Buildings along The Rye These are a group of isolated farm buildings alongside the lane called The Rye between Eaton Bray and Billington.
Farm Buildings along The Rye
These are a group of isolated farm buildings alongside the lane called The Rye between Eaton Bray and Billington.
Entrance to Mead Open Farm As can be seen from the sign, Mead Farm is open to the public every day.
Entrance to Mead Open Farm
As can be seen from the sign, Mead Farm is open to the public every day.
The Rye near Billington The lane from Eaton Bray to Billington is called The Rye. Here it is approaching a T-junction with Stanbridge Road near Billington. Most of the lane is through fields, but this last stretch is overarched by trees as can be seen.
The Rye near Billington
The lane from Eaton Bray to Billington is called The Rye. Here it is approaching a T-junction with Stanbridge Road near Billington. Most of the lane is through fields, but this last stretch is overarched by trees as can be seen.
McDonald's near Leighton Buzzard Just off the A505/A4146 roundabout is this ubiquitous feature of modern Britain (and the rest of the world for that matter) a McDonald's fast food "restaurant". The photo was taken from the adjoining service station.
McDonald's near Leighton Buzzard
Just off the A505/A4146 roundabout is this ubiquitous feature of modern Britain (and the rest of the world for that matter) a McDonald's fast food "restaurant". The photo was taken from the adjoining service station.
"The Look-out" Pill Box near Stanbridge This little structure is called "The Look-out" and I am assuming that it's a WWII pill box. Cross-checking with the 1:5000 map on <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://magic.defra.gov.uk/website/magic/viewer.htm?startTopic=maggb&xygridref=495000,224100&startScale=5000" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://magic.defra.gov.uk/website/magic/viewer.htm?startTopic=maggb&xygridref=495000,224100&startScale=5000">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> its map reference is SP9500624157 placing it just six metres inside this gridsquare!
"The Look-out" Pill Box near Stanbridge
This little structure is called "The Look-out" and I am assuming that it's a WWII pill box. Cross-checking with the 1:5000 map on LinkExternal link its map reference is SP9500624157 placing it just six metres inside this gridsquare!
River Ouzel between Slapton and Little Billington Taken from the bridge over the river between the two villages. The Bucks / Beds county boundary runs along the course of this river at this point. The view from the other side of the bridge can be seen here <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/221150">SP9321 : River Ouzel - Beds Bucks Border</a>
River Ouzel between Slapton and Little Billington
Taken from the bridge over the river between the two villages. The Bucks / Beds county boundary runs along the course of this river at this point. The view from the other side of the bridge can be seen here SP9321 : River Ouzel - Beds Bucks Border
Footpath in Little Billington This footpath in Little Billington is on a corner next to a cottage with a pretty floral garden (<a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/221153">SP9322 : Rose Cottage, Little Billington</a>). After a few yards heading East the path turns and strikes off in a Northeasterly direction connecting two lanes as a shortcut.
Footpath in Little Billington
This footpath in Little Billington is on a corner next to a cottage with a pretty floral garden (SP9322 : Rose Cottage, Little Billington). After a few yards heading East the path turns and strikes off in a Northeasterly direction connecting two lanes as a shortcut.
A505 and lay-by There are few features in this square which is dominated by the comparatively new A505. This lay-by regularly has a fast-food van providing victuals for passing motorists - or rather for those that stop !
A505 and lay-by
There are few features in this square which is dominated by the comparatively new A505. This lay-by regularly has a fast-food van providing victuals for passing motorists - or rather for those that stop !
Electrical Grid Crossroads Along the fast A505 are several gated entrances to fields such as this one. The two large pylons are carrying two different power lines at different voltages. The higher voltage line is running East/West and is supported by the wider based (and actually taller) pylon on the right. The lower voltage line runs NE/SW and is supported by the slenderer pylon on the left. The wires from this smaller pylon split and go under the higher voltage line: half go to the west (left) of the larger pylon while the other half go to the right (east), both via mini pylons one of which can be seen beyond and slightly to the left of the righthand gate. By this method two National Grid power lines are enabled to cross.
Electrical Grid Crossroads
Along the fast A505 are several gated entrances to fields such as this one. The two large pylons are carrying two different power lines at different voltages. The higher voltage line is running East/West and is supported by the wider based (and actually taller) pylon on the right. The lower voltage line runs NE/SW and is supported by the slenderer pylon on the left. The wires from this smaller pylon split and go under the higher voltage line: half go to the west (left) of the larger pylon while the other half go to the right (east), both via mini pylons one of which can be seen beyond and slightly to the left of the righthand gate. By this method two National Grid power lines are enabled to cross.
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Great Billington is located at Grid Ref: SP9322 (Lat: 51.893156, Lng: -0.637157)

Unitary Authority: Central Bedfordshire

Police Authority: Bedfordshire

What 3 Words

///cones.statue.soft. Near Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire

Nearby Locations

Great Billington Little Billington Billington, Little

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 51.893156,-0.637157
Great Billington
Alt Name: Billington
Place: village
Wikidata: Q1519734
Lat/Long: 51.8960148/-0.6336747
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Little Billington
Place: hamlet
Source: bing
Lat/Long: 51.8946884/-0.6419036
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Post Box
Collection Times: Mo-Fr 17:00; Sa 09:00
Operator: Royal Mail
Ref: LU7 10
Source: survey
Lat/Long: 51.891852/-0.6306217
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Post Box
Collection Times: Mo-Fr 17:00; Sa 09:00
Operator: Royal Mail
Ref: LU7 25
Source: survey
Lat/Long: 51.8936927/-0.6427475
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Post Box
Collection Times: Mo-Fr 17:15; Sa 09:00
Operator: Royal Mail
Ref: LU7 45
Source: survey
Lat/Long: 51.8969458/-0.6373658
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Turning Circle
Lat/Long: 51.8928866/-0.6441569
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.
Great Bentley Essex
Great Blakenham Suffolk

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