Shortstown

Shortstown
The Shorts Building
Shortstown
Location within Bedfordshire
Area0.905 km2 (0.349 sq mi)
Population2,392 (2016 Census)
 Density2,643/km2 (6,850/sq mi)
OS grid referenceTL072594
Civil parish
  • Shortstown
District
Unitary authority
Ceremonial county
Region
CountryEngland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post townBEDFORD
Postcode districtMK42
Dialling code01234
PoliceBedfordshire
FireBedfordshire and Luton
AmbulanceEast of England
UK Parliament
WebsiteShortstown Parish Council

Shortstown is a village and civil parish on the outskirts of Bedford, on a ridge above the River Great Ouse, originally called Tinkers Hill. The ridge overlooks Harrowden to the north and Cotton End to the south. The village name is taken from Short Brothers. The Admiralty established an airship works for the company in 1916. The company pulled out of airship work just three years later, but the name Shortstown stuck.