Little Barford is a small settlement and civil parish located in the county of Bedfordshire, England. It lies on the north bank of the River Great Ouse, approximately 2 miles (3 km) east of the town of St Neots and near the border with Cambridgeshire.
Geography
The parish is situated within the East of England region and forms part of the historic Hundred of Barford. The surrounding landscape is characterised by low‑lying agricultural land and the nearby river, which has historically influenced local settlement patterns and land use.
Governance
Little Barford falls under the jurisdiction of the Bedfordshire unitary authority. It is represented in the parliamentary constituency of North East Bedfordshire.
History
The name “Barford” is derived from Old English elements meaning “the ford at the barley fields” or “the fortified crossing.” Historical records reference the area as part of medieval manorial holdings, though the settlement has remained relatively small throughout its existence.
Little Barford Power Station
A notable feature of the area is the Little Barford Power Station, a combined cycle gas‑turbine (CCGT) facility that began operation in 1994 on the site of a former coal‑fired power station (operational from 1939 to 1994). The original station was built by the Central Electricity Board and later managed by the Central Electricity Generating Board. The modern CCGT plant is owned by a consortium of energy companies and supplies electricity to the National Grid.
Transport
The settlement is accessible via local roads connecting to the A1(M) motorway and the A428, providing routes toward Bedford, Cambridge, and Peterborough. The nearest railway station is St Neots, situated on the East Coast Main Line.
Demographics
As a small rural parish, Little Barford has a modest population, with the most recent census data indicating fewer than 200 residents. The community consists primarily of residential properties and agricultural enterprises.
References
- Ordnance Survey maps of Bedfordshire.
- National Archives, records of the Central Electricity Generating Board.
- Office for National Statistics, census data (most recent).
This entry reflects information available from reliable public records and published sources.
