Rare Old Map of Bedfordshire by Samuel Lewis, 1844: Luton, Dunstable, Leighton Buzzard, Biggleswade, Ampthill

The Old Map of Bedfordshire by Samuel Lewis in 1844 is a captivating and historically significant piece that offers a glimpse into the past. This meticulously crafted map showcases the County of Bedfordshire, England, during a time of great change and development. It presents a unique opportunity to explore the region's rich history, as well as the evolution of its towns and cities.

One of the intriguing aspects of this map is its depiction of the major towns and cities of the time. While some modern cities may not be present on this map, it is an exciting discovery to find others under earlier names. This provides a fascinating insight into the historical context of the region. The map also highlights the natural beauty of Bedfordshire, with its rivers, boundaries, and other features that continue to be admired today.

Notable Settlements Founded Before 1840

• Bedford (c. 914): The county town of Bedfordshire, known for its rich history and stunning architecture.
• Luton (c. 6th century): A town renowned for its hat-making industry and vibrant cultural heritage.
• Dunstable (c. 12th century): Home to the impressive Dunstable Priory and historically significant crossroads.
• Leighton Buzzard (c. 12th century): A market town with a charming medieval layout and a fascinating history.
• Biggleswade (c. 10th century): A market town with a long-standing agricultural heritage and notable historic buildings.
• Ampthill (c. 13th century): A picturesque town known for its connections to royalty and stunning Ampthill Park.
• Flitwick (c. 6th century): A village with a rich history, including the presence of a medieval motte-and-bailey castle.
• Sandy (c. 10th century): A market town with a long history of trade and a scenic location along the River Ivel.
• Shefford (c. 10th century): A charming market town with a medieval street plan and notable historic buildings.
• Stotfold (c. 6th century): A village with a long history, featuring a medieval church and remnants of an ancient castle.
• Arlesey (c. 10th century): A village with a fascinating history, including connections to the Domesday Book.
• Cranfield (c. 11th century): A village with a rich agricultural heritage and a renowned university.
• Barton-le-Clay (c. 11th century): A village known for its picturesque surroundings and historic buildings.
• Houghton Regis (c. 12th century): A town with a long history, featuring the notable Houghton Hall Park.
• Potton (c. 10th century): A market town with a medieval layout and a history intertwined with the local pottery industry.
• Toddington (c. 12th century): A village with a charming historic center and a long-standing agricultural tradition.
• Westoning (c. 10th century): A village known for its beautiful countryside and historic buildings.
• Marston Moretaine (c. 10th century): A village with a rich history, including connections to the Knights Templar.
• Eaton Bray (c. 12th century): A village with a picturesque location and a history dating back to the Norman era.
• Wilshamstead (c. 10th century): A village with a long history, featuring a notable medieval church.
• Clapham (c. 10th century): A village known for its scenic location and historic buildings.
• Silsoe (c. 10th century): A village with a fascinating history, including the presence of a medieval manor.
• Sharnbrook (c. 10th century): A village with a rich history, featuring a medieval church and a historic bridge.
• Bromham (c. 10th century): A village known for its picturesque setting and historic buildings.
• Clophill (c. 10th century): A village with a long history, including connections to the Knights Templar.
• Great Barford (c. 10th century): A village with a scenic riverside location and a historic medieval bridge.
• Renhold (c. 10th century): A village known for its rural charm and a history dating back to Saxon times.
• Stewartby (c. 20th century): A village with a unique history, centered around the Stewartby brickworks.
• Wootton (c. 10th century): A village with a rich history, featuring a medieval church and remnants of a castle.
• Harlington (c. 10th century): A village known for its picturesque countryside and historic buildings.
• Stevington (c. 10th century): A village with a charming rural character and a history dating back to Saxon times.

Notable Boundaries, Rivers, and Natural Phenomena

• River Great Ouse: A majestic river that flows through the county, offering scenic beauty and recreational opportunities.
• Chiltern Hills: A range of rolling hills located in the southern part of Bedfordshire, providing stunning landscapes and walking trails.
• Greensand Ridge: A distinctive geological feature that stretches across the county, offering picturesque views and diverse flora.
• Wrest Park: A historic country estate with magnificent gardens and a grand mansion, showcasing the region's architectural heritage.

Historical Events in Bedfordshire (1800-1850)

• 1819: The construction of the Grand Union Canal begins, connecting the county to the wider canal network.
• 1837: The opening of the Bedford to Bletchley railway line, enhancing transportation and trade opportunities.
• 1840: The Bedfordshire Lunatic Asylum (later known as St. Mary's Hospital) is established in Stotfold, providing mental health care to the region.

Please double check the images to make sure that a specific town or place is shown on this map. You can also get in touch and ask us to check the map for you.

This map looks great at all sizes: 12x16in (30.5x41cm), 16x20in (40.5x51cm), 18x24in (45.5x61cm), 24x30in (61x76cm), 32x40in (81.5x102cm) and 40x50in (102x127cm), but it looks even better when printed large.

I can create beautiful, large prints of this map up to 50in (127cm). Please get in touch if you're looking for larger, customised or different framing options.

The model in the listing images is holding the 16x20in (40.5x51cm) version of this map.

The fifth listing image shows an example of my map personalisation service.

Please note the unframed 24x30in (61x76cm) map has white edges around the map. These edges can help you with framing, or if you don’t need them they are very easy to snip off with scissors. All other maps, including the framed maps, look exactly like the listing images.

If you’re looking for something slightly different, check out my main collection of UK and Ireland maps.

Please contact me to check if a certain location, landmark or feature is shown on this map.

This would make a wonderful birthday, Christmas, Father's Day, work leaving, anniversary or housewarming gift for someone from the areas covered by this map.

This map is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. The frame is a nice, simple black frame that suits most aesthetics. Please get in touch if you'd like a different frame colour or material. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.

For most orders, delivery time is about 3 working days. Personalised and custom made maps take longer, as I have to do the personalisation and send it to you for approval, which usually takes a day or two.

Please note that for larger framed orders (over 40in/100cm), and some other framed sizes, the delivery time will be closer to 7-10 days.

If you need your order to arrive by a certain date, please contact me before you order so that we can find the best way of making sure you get your order in time.

I print and frame maps in 22 countries around the world. This means your map will be made locally, which cuts down on delivery time and reduces the chance of your map being damaged during delivery. There won't be any extra taxes or duties to pay, and we'll put less CO2 into the air.

All of my maps are well packaged and sent in a rugged tube if unframed, or surrounded by foam if framed.

I try to send out all maps within 1 or 2 days of receiving your order, though some products (like face masks or mugs) can take longer to make.

If you select Express Delivery at checkout your order we will prioritise your order and send it out by 1-day courier (Fedex, DHL, UPS, Parcelforce).

We can sometimes do next-day delivery if you order before 10am. But usually it's best to contact me first before you order.

Read my full delivery and local production guide

My standard frame is a gallery style black ash hardwood frame. It is simple and quite modern looking. My standard frame is around 20mm (0.8in) wide.

I use super-clear acrylic (perspex/acrylite) for the frame glass. It's lighter and safer than glass - and it looks better, as the reflectivity is lower.

Six standard frame colours are available for free (black, dark brown, dark grey, oak, white and antique gold). Custom framing and mounting/matting is available if you're looking for something else.

Most maps are also available as a framed canvas. The map is printed on matte (not shiny) canvas, stretched over a box frame, and then 'floated' within a simple wood frame. The end result is quite beautiful, and there's no glazing in front of your map.

All frames are provided "ready to hang", with either a string or brackets on the back. Very large frames will have heavy duty hanging plates and/or a mounting baton. If you have any questions, please get in touch.

See some examples of my framed maps and framed canvas maps.

Alternatively, I can also supply old maps on canvas, foam board, cotton rag and other materials.

If you want to frame your map yourself, please read my map size guide first.