Luton Tourist Attractions
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The town of Luton has several parks with museums, gardens, and sports facilities. The Luton Carnival is the largest of its kind in Europe and it takes place on the late May Bank Holiday.
Luton Hoo
Luton Hoo (2.5mi/4km southeast of Luton), a handsome country mansion begun by Robert Adam in 1767 and completed by Smirke in 1816, was rebuilt between 1903 and 1907 following a fire.Luton Hoo now houses a splendid art collection assembled by Sir Harold Wernher, which includes particularly fine jewelry from various periods, Gobelin tapestries, porcelain and 18th century furniture. Among some excellent paintings are works by Rembrandt, Memling, Constable, Reynolds, Titian and Bartolomé Bermejo ("St. Michael", 1470). The superb gardens were designed by Capability Brown.The Luton Hoo estate, including the country house, has been converted into a luxury hotel called Luton Hoo Hotel, Golf and Spa. It opened its doors on October 1st, 2007.
Stockwood Discovery Centre (formerly Stockwood Park Museum)
The Stockwood Discovery Centre in Luton focuses on the crafts of the early Bedfordhsire people. The items are displayed in a manner that connects them with the people of the area. In addition to the local crafts, you will also find exhibitions on rural life and transportation.The Period Gardens offer a retreat from the historical displays. The gardens represent over 900 years of English Garden history and offer a relaxing setting for all visitors to the museum.
Luton Airport
Luton Airport is used mainly for inland and charter services. It lies 32mi/ 51km northwest of London.British Rail: Luton Flyer; coach link to Luton station thence by rail to St Paul's and King's Cross Thameslink; journey time 50-65 minutes. Bus: Luton and District's 757 to Buckingham Palace Road, Victoria; journey time about 75 minutes.
St Mary's
An interesting church, the 13th century St Mary's, is built largely in the Decorated style. Also noteworthy are the canopied stone font and wooden choir screen in the Wenlock Chapel (1461; William Wenlock was a prebendary of St Paul's Cathedral in London).
