Clifton | |
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All Saints Church |
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Clifton shown within Bedfordshire | |
Population | 2,878 (2011 Census) |
Unitary authority | |
Ceremonial county | |
Region | |
Country | England |
Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
Post town | Shefford |
Postcode district | SG17 |
Dialling code | 01462 |
Police | Bedfordshire |
Fire | Bedfordshire and Luton |
Ambulance | East of England |
EU Parliament | East of England |
Clifton is a village and civil parish in the English county of Bedfordshire. The original hundred of Clifton is named after it.
The original "hundred" comprised: The Parishes of Arlesey; Campton-Cum-Shefford; Chicksands; Clifton; Henlow; Holwell; Meppershall; part of Shillington; Lower Stondon; Little Holwell; Stotfold; Upper Stondon.
The first recorded reference to Clifton is in 944 when it is referred to as Cliftune. Clifton is also mentioned in the Domesday Book. The entry reads:
Cliftone: William de Cairon from Bishop of Lincoln, Eudo FitzHubert and Nigel d'Aubigny; Leofwin from St. Benedict's of Ramsey; Alwin from Countess Judith. 2 mills.
All Saints Church, built in the 14th and 15th centuries was heavily restored in the nineteenth.
Clifton village is now a popular place to live as a consequence of its good transport links and proximity to the railway station at Arlesey.
Clifton was voted Bedfordshire Village of the Year in 2003, 2005 and 2009. It is today largely residential, but in the past it was a centre for straw plaiting. The original All Saints school was a "Straw Plait School" where children were expected to learn to plait straw from as young as four years of age. They would also be taught to read.