Town Pop. 134

Living in Box End: Liveability Score 43/100

Last updated 7 August 2026

Box End comes out at 43/100 on the 9 categories we can score here. Measured against other towns, broadband stands out most: 77/100 where the typical UK town scores 60/100. Among the 20 scored places sharing the MK43 postcode district, Box End ranks 7th.

Its broadband score runs 34 points above the MK43 district's 43/100. Safety (94) and economic health (82) also clear 80/100. Transport (8), healthcare (12), schools (14) and lifestyle (16) all fall below 30/100. For the surrounding area, see MK43 postcode district.

43
OUT OF 100
Below Avg
Score for:

Settlement area

The built-up area boundary and the postcodes its score is averaged from, each shaded by its own score. Clustered pins are other settlements. Tap one to view or compare it, or zoom in to reveal more.

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Each postcode is coloured by its own overall score on the default weighting. Scores are filled in as postcodes get searched on the site, so a blue dot just means that postcode hasn't been scored yet.

Box End scores 43 but individual postcodes tell the full story

See the exact score for any postcode, side by side with Box End.
Or compare:
MK43 0AA MK43 1AA MK43 2AA MK43 6AZ MK43 7AA MK43 8AA MK43 9AA MK43

Score breakdown

Safety & Environment

Safety
94
328.4 crimes per 1,000 residents · last 12 months Above the England & Wales average of 94.3
Crime rate vs national average · last 12 months
Violence and sexual offences 22 crimes
↑ 393% above national average
Vehicle crime 7 crimes
↑ 988% above national average
Anti-social behaviour 6 crimes
↑ 195% above national average
Criminal damage and arson 4 crimes
↑ 340% above national average
Other theft 2 crimes
↑ 140% above national average
other 3 crimes
Highest-crime locations
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  1. 1 The Chase 9 crimes
  2. 2 Church End 5 crimes
  3. 3 Bedford Road 5 crimes

Source: data.police.uk · England & Wales only

Environment
58
Air Quality NO₂ 6.386 · PM2.5 6.849 · PM10 12.2 µg/m³
72
Green Space 24
Parks Ample 15
Sports Pitches None
Allotments None
Golf Courses Some 1
Tennis Courts Adequate 3
Bowling Greens None
Playgrounds None

Services

Schools
14
1 school in area · 27 within 4km
1Outstanding
  • Great Denham Primary SchoolPrimary · inspected 2024
    Outstanding

Score reflects proximity-weighted access to rated schools within 4km: areas with more nearby schools score higher regardless of settlement boundary.

Healthcare
12
A&E departmentsBedford Hospital South Wing2.2 mi
Milton Keynes University Hospital11.2 mi
Luton and Dunstable Hospital16.1 mi
Hospital waitsCambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust2.4 mi
Routine referral (median)11 wks
Treated within 18 weeks62.9%
A&E seen within 4 hrs71.1%
Nearest GP surgeryThe Village Medical Centre0.7 mi
GP capacity2,157 patients per GP
0dentists0pharmacies

Score reflects proximity to CQC-rated GP surgeries and hospitals, not facility count. Dentists and pharmacies are shown for context but don't affect the score.

Broadband
77
Full fibre (FTTP)70.4%
available across Bedford
Gigabit-capable · incl. cable
91.7%
Ultrafast (300+ Mbps)
91.7%
Superfast (30+ Mbps)
100%
Ofcom Connected Nations · 5 postcodes · full fibre at local-authority level

Economy & Bills

Economic Health
82
Employment rate60.6%
Above the Great Britain average of 57.3% of residents aged 16+
Economic activity (16+)
Employed60.6%Unemployed1.8%Retired27.1%Student3.2%Other inactive7.3%
Occupation mix
Professional & managerial46.6%Skilled & technical38.1%Routine & elementary15.3%
Highest qualification (16+)
No qualifications13.6%Level 1 (1–4 GCSEs)9.5%Level 2 (5+ GCSEs)13.6%Level 3 (A levels)19.8%Level 4+ (degree & above)34.7%Apprenticeship6.7%Other (incl. vocational)2.1%
Home ownership86.8%
Among the least-deprived 30% of areas in England
Census 2021/22 (Great Britain) · deprivation: IoD 2025 / SIMD
Bills
40
Council tax Bedford · 2026-27
A £1,648
B £1,923
C £2,197
D £2,472
E £3,021
F £3,571
G £4,120
H £4,944
Energy Eastern England region
Typical bill regional £1,641/yr
Ofgem price cap, GB average · Apr–Jun 2026
Typical home efficiency local EPC band D
Water Anglian Water
Average bill regional £498/yr
Combined water & sewerage · GB average £520

Transport

Transport
8
Bedford 2.1 mi
Bedford St Johns 2.6 mi
Kempston Hardwick 2.9 mi
J13 M1 7.9 mi
J13 M1 7.9 mi
J14 M1 8.6 mi

Lifestyle

Lifestyle
16
Pubs & Bars Some 2
Restaurants & Cafes None
Supermarkets & Convenience None
Retail Shopping None
Takeaways None
Fitness Ample 6

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House Prices

Not enough recent sales

Fewer than 10 sales were recorded in Box End in the last 12 months, which isn't enough for a reliable median. Smaller villages often fall below this in any given year. Figures come from HM Land Registry Price Paid data and are updated monthly, so this may fill in later.

Nearby places

Great Denham 59 0.8 mi away ⇄
Bromham (Bedford) 57 1.2 mi away ⇄
Stagsden 38 1.6 mi away ⇄
Kempston 56 1.8 mi away ⇄
Wootton (Bedford) 54 2.5 mi away ⇄
Clapham (Bedford) 52 2.7 mi away ⇄
Oakley (Bedford) 44 2.8 mi away ⇄
Stevington 34 2.9 mi away ⇄
Bedford 59 3.1 mi away ⇄
Kempston Hardwick 41 3.5 mi away ⇄
Wixams 44 3.8 mi away ⇄
Stewartby 43 4.1 mi away ⇄

Frequently asked questions

Is Box End a nice place to live?

Box End has some challenges compared to many UK areas. Our liveability score for Box End is 43/100, placing it among a below-average areas in the UK across nine categories: safety, schools, healthcare, environment, transport, broadband, lifestyle, economic health, and bills.

How safe is Box End?

Box End is a relatively safe area to live. Our safety score is 94/100. There were 44 crimes recorded in the area over the past 12 months.

What are the best schools in Box End?

Among the top-rated schools in Box End is Great Denham Primary School, rated Outstanding by Ofsted. There are 1 rated schools in Box End in total.

Box End in context

See the best places to live in Bedfordshire, ranked

Postcode districts in Box End

MK43 42 ⇄

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