St Mary's Parish Church at Yelden

Bedfordshire

The southern end of Bedfordshire includes he Chiltern Hills, which form the highest land in the county. Away from the hills the county is dominated by the wide drainage basin of the River Great Ouse and its tributaries. Most of Bedfordshire's rocks are clays and sandstones with some limestone. Brick making has been an important industry using local clay especially the Marston Vale. The production of sand and gravel has also been important and some of the old workings are now lakes including those at Priory Country Park, Wyboston and Felmersham. Another important feature is the Greensand Ridge, an escarpment across the county from near Leighton Buzzard into neighbouring Cambridgeshire. The key towns are Bedford and Luton.