Leighton–Linslade Leighton–Linslade Leighton–Linslade is a civil parish in the district of Central Bedfordshire in Bedfordshire, England, with a population of 37,469 at the 2011 Census. It consists of the settlements of Leighton Buzzard and Linslade, which have a single town council. The River Ouzel provides the border between the parts, with Leighton to the east and Linslade to the west. The two are served by Leighton Buzzard railway station, which is actually on the western side. Leighton-Linslade Urban District was formed in 1965 by the merger of Leighton Buzzard Urban District, and Linslade Urban District (previously in Buckinghamshire). Under the Local
Leighton Buzzard came from Old English "Lēah-tūn", meaning 'farm in a clearing in the woods'. The "Buzzard" was added by the Dean of Lincoln, in whose diocese the town lay in the 12th century (arguably it was "Beau-desert", which later turned into "Buzzard".) Having two communities called "Leighton" and seeking some means of differentiating them, he added the name of his local Prebendary or representative to that of the town. At that time it was a Theobald de Busar and so over the years the town became known as Leighton Buzzard. The other Leighton became Leighton Bromswold. Leighton Buzzard is also famous