The fantastic playground testers (friends of us and their kids) have done a really thorough review of Luton playgrounds.
You can find their reviews and recommendations at: Playgroundtesters.wordpress.com
Have fun!
Stopsley Chen Tai Chi
Stopsley Chen Tai Chi is run by experienced martial arts practitioner Matthew Caitlin. He offers indoor and outdoor classes, at locations across Luton and Bedfordshire, including at the High Town Methodist Church hall and in Wardown Park.
He teaches Chen style Tai chi. He is a BCCMA and CIAA practitioner, a 4th Dan Black Belt in Karate and has experience in teaching Kyusho Jitsu.
From time to time, we run free Qui Gong sessions in the High Town Peace Garden (behind the Methodist Church), come and join us if you’d like to try. Dates and times are advertised on the signs by the gate.
Find out more on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/Stopsley-Chen-Tai-Chi-388068504873830/
Lagoa Cafe
What a gem. Lagoa Cafe is a family-run cafe that sells a great selection of Portuguese cakes, coffee and snacks.
Stroll there on a sunny (and not so sunny) day and you’ll be able to sit outside on the square opposite.
The owners Bruna and Luciano are super friendly and really engaged in community stuff.
Lagoa is the Portuguese word for ‘Lagoon’ – a stretch of water separated by sandbanks or coral reefs.
Marjorie’s Kitchen on High Town Road
Marjorie’s Kitchen has undergone a few transformations in the past years. The Old Skool Pantry started running it as a cafe for a while, but sadly, that’s closed.
Sadly – it’s currently closed. Have a look in the window as you walk past.
High Town Festival – the community event of the year
Now in its sixth year: the High Town Festival
The High Town Festival brings together local people to celebrate summer in High Town. In July 2018, it’s now in its sixth fantastic year.
Who’s organising the High Town Festival?
This community event is put together by local volunteers and community groups like the Friends of High Town. And Luton Borough Council is one of the sponsors.
What to expect
Live music and performances, children’s activities, crafts and bric-a-brac stalls, games and great street-food. Bring your family enjoy this fun day with your neighbours.
For more information, or to book a stall, visit: High Town Festival
Old Skool Pantry – a local delicatessen – Hitchin Road in Round Green
Now, here’s some news. A deli. What do I say, not just ‘a’ deli, but Luton’s first (as far as I’m aware). And it comes with all the bells and whistles that you’d expect from a fresh, trendy, dare I say ‘Londony-type’ neighbourhood deli. Or should that be pantry? But see for yourself.
They’re planning to have a bar, cafe and restaurant in the building as well, but that’ll come later (hopefully). We’ll keep you posted. For now, this stays in our ‘deli’ category.
Some of the fare on offer, and to try, at the Old Skool Pantry in Round Green.
Look. At. That. Bread. No wonder the young man behind the counter is smiling.
Cheese counter to reckon with.
Us tucking into some french Pamplie butter and ciabatta as soon as we were home from our first shop at the Old Skool Pantry.
Address: 359 Hitchin Road, Luton, LU2 7SW
Opening times (for now, until the restaurant opens): 8am to 6pm.
The Well – pub on High Town Road
After a long time in the making, The Well pub opened just before Christmas last year.
We’ve been a couple of times, and the experience has been good. Landlady Victoria comes with armed with decades of experience under her belt, and we’re hoping that she’ll make it a big success of it.
It’s been really welcoming, with two snuggly seating areas at the very front, that let you watch the life go by through the big windows. I’d been hoping for a pub with a vista like this since I’ve arrived here!
Further along, there’s the bar, more seating and a stage/dance floor area. Live music is on the cards, and there’s certainly plenty of space for it, which is welcome in High Town.
We’re looking forward to see things develop.
Wardown Park Single Suspension Bridge
Looks like the historic footbridge in Wardown park has had a narrow escape.
Wardown Parks single suspension bridge is apparently, the country’s smallest of its kind, and it had been closed in 2012 over safety concerns.
You can follow the whole story unfold in a few local news articles:
Local people complained and petitioned:
April 2013: Luton and Dunstable section of Luton on Sunday
Luton Today’s spin on the suspended works at the suspension bridge
A year later, the cost question:
April 2014: Luton Today – Bridge repairs
In 2014, The council did find the needed funding to get it repaired and re-opened, after it apparently discovered a 4 Million underspend in their budget.
September 2014: Luton Today – Suspension bridge on path to recovery
At the time of writing, the decision on the planning application is still outstanding.
The Bear Club – Mill Yard Jazz and Blues
“If you build it, he will come” that’s the motto of Luton’s very own Jazz Club.
Well, we built, and it came. Very much so, opening on 12 September 2014 with a bang right into the middle of Luton, downtown just south of the railway station, housed in what was once a Victorian industrial building and then a photo studio for Vauxhall.
Open every Thursday, Friday and Saturday, this fantastic venue with a capacity of around 100 people offers a broad spectrum of Jazz music and Blues acts, spoken word events and more.
The bar is well stocked with an ever changing array of novelty beers and the cocktails are mixed with love.
The interior is an eclectic display of found objects, vintage furniture and skilled DIY solutions: check out the loo with the sink on top.
A must visit, whether you’re a Luton newbie or a seasoned connoisseur.
The Bear Club – Mill Yard Jazz and Blues
Party at The Bear – as usual
Star Wash Launderette – High Town Road
Launderettes are curious things. A lot of people will go through life without ever having used one – until that day when your washing machine decides to give up the ghost, or you move house, or ….you discover their ironing service!
Starwash is old school – clean, bright, and looks a bit like a movie set. Prices are moderate and, yes they do your ironing, too.
Apparently the building used to be a LLoyds bank from 1936 to 1972. Find out more about it’s history on Bedford Council’s website.
Tel: (0)1582 73776
56 Hightown Road