Luton

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Luton

town and unitary authority, England, United Kingdom

Written and fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last Updated: Nov 21, 2024 • Article History

News •

Pedestrian seriously injured in collision near Luton high school • Nov. 20, 2024, 3:17 AM ET (BBC)

Luton Sikh soup kitchen having to turn people away • Nov. 18, 2024, 7:05 PM ET (BBC)

Former Art Deco cinema in Luton to be reinvigorated with art • Nov. 18, 2024, 2:04 AM ET (BBC)

King Charles awards Luton gurdwara for voluntary services • Nov. 15, 2024, 2:02 AM ET (BBC)

Sunderland and Luton Town fined for melee after Championship game • Nov. 12, 2024, 5:18 AM ET (BBC)

Luton, town and unitary authority, geographic and historic county of Bedfordshire, England. It lies along England’s chief superhighway (M1), 30 miles (48 km) northwest of London, and has an international airport.

Long famous for the manufacture of straw hats, Luton developed into an industrial town dominated by the motor vehicle industry. The hat industry still prospers, with felt hats as the principal product. South of the town, the mansion of Luton Hoo houses the Wernher collection of porcelain, enamel, and other art treasures. Area 17 square miles (43 square km). Pop. (2001) 184,371; (2011) 203,201.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Amy Tikkanen.