marston moretaine.

Marston Moretaine, a small village located on the outskirts of Bedford, has an array of shops for your convenience. There are two Co-operatives (known by the locals as the ‘Big Co-op’ and the ‘Little Co-op’, and a variety of small businesses such as our Estate Agents, an Opticians, Pharmacy, Private Dentist, Rumbles Fish Bar, Marston Kebab, Village Stores Convenience Store, a Post Office, Hairdressers, and two independent coffee shops Marston Beans and Town & Gown.

In the village there is a Business Park development which contains a Veterinary surgery, an Accounting firm, an Ice Cream manufacturer, a Fire & Security organisation, and also a Gym (just to name a few!).

The Forest Centre is located in Marston Moretaine, and is also recognised as The Millennium Country Park, is a large woodland, meadow country park of 225 hectares and home to a number of species and habitats. The center itself is run by the charity, the Forest of Marston Vale. There are miles of scenic countryside and woodland, as well as a number of Lakes, including Stewartby Boat Club. There is a gift shop on-site the Forest Centre, as well as a cafe, which is perfect if you enjoy a cooked breakfast. The premises also holds a space for conference / meeting rooms, all available for hire, and not forgetting to mention, it is an excellent wedding venue!

As you leave the Village, heading towards the A421, there is a service station which has a couple of eateries, such as Burger King, and Greggs, and a Shell Fuel Garage. There is also a Travel Lodge within the Service Station. 

St Mary’s Church is the church of Marston Moretaine. The church is located within the village and has been watching over the changing face of Marston Vale since the mid-fifteenth century. There is evidence however that there was probably an earlier church on site, which may have been established in the Anglo Saxon era. 

The church itself holds a number of original treasures from historical times, such as a ‘Doom’ painting which itself is very rare in this county. All visitors are welcomed to join the congregation on Sunday mornings, or visit the church for a look around and take in all its marvellous and unique features. 

The two nearest libraries in Marston are either Wootton Library, or Ampthill Library. Both are run and operated by local councils (Bedford and Central Bedfordshire). 

There is a larger library in the town center of Bedford, in Harpur Street, called Bedford Central Library.

There are two local community clubs, one in Marston, and another just down the road in Stewartby, which hold the space for a social venue, where locals can enjoy a drink, a bite to eat and also a game of pool or darts. These are also areas which can be hired out to celebrate parties or other events.

There are two local pubs in Marston Moretaine, The Bell and Moreteyne Manor. 

The Bell is a public house which serves food and drink and has been in the village since the 1800’s. 

Moreteyne Manor is now a Grade II listed building and dates back to the 15th Century and stands on a medieval moated site, formally known as ‘Moat Farm’. In 1985 it opened as a restaurant and wedding venue. 

There are other pubs close by once leaving the village.

There are a number of playgrounds and parks in Marston Moretaine, there is Marston Moretaine Playing Field, The Forest Centre/Millennium Country Park, and a variety of local play parks for children in the residential streets/areas especially in the newbuild estate areas.

The Marston Day Nursery

Chimney Tots Pre School

There are other nurseries and pre-schools outside of the village

Marston Moretaine operates on a lower, middle and upper school educational system. 

Forest End and Church End – Primary Schools 

Middle School – Marston Vale Middle School

Wootton Upper School – Secondary School

Many toddler and baby classes take place in the village, on Fridays twice a month the Children Centre visit the community hall on the Marston Park estate where your child can play and you can have coffee and cake. There are also events that take place in the village hall weekly. If you are happy to travel a bit further afield, there is a Lindy Loo’s class in Ampthill, and a Hartbeeps class in Wrest Park.

The Facebook Page of Marston Moreteyne Community Centre is a good page to follow if you want to see local events and clubs which are taking place. Independent businesses hold classes to be run during the daytime and evenings for the local community. There are also craft events for children during the holidays.  The space can also be hired out and used as a sports hall facility, for parties and other events such as meetings as there is a large hall and a meeting room.