MK42 0QB postcode in Shortstown, Bedford
MK42 0QB is a postcode in Shortstown, in the Shortstown ward of Bedford. It is in the North Bedfordshire parliamentary constituency and the Bedfordshire police force area, and has been in use since July 2019.
Where MK42 0QB is, and what is near it
- MK42 0QB
- Other postcodes in MK42 0: press one for its page
- 4 schools
- 2 railway stations
- 3 GP practices
- 2 bus stops
- Further out, with the distance
Points are centre points, not buildings, and nothing drawn is a boundary. Names in italics are council wards: we hold no town or village names here. Open this area on OpenStreetMap (latitude 52.1151, longitude -0.4256)
Source: Office for National Statistics (ONS) Postcode Directory, August 2026, loaded 20 October 2026; schools: Department for Education; stations and bus stops: Department for Transport; GP practices: NHS England; street map: Ordnance Survey, OS Open Zoomstack, Open Government Licence v3.0, drawn with MapLibre. How we use them
Who looks after MK42 0QB?
- BedfordCouncil, for all local services Bedford: bins, council tax, planning
- Council tax bandSet for each home, not for a postcode. The bands and a year's charge around MK42 0QB Check a council tax band on GOV.UK
- BedfordshirePolice force area
- North BedfordshireParliamentary constituency. Its MP is Richard Fuller (Conservative), as Parliament lists them. Contact Richard Fuller
ONS places a whole postcode in one council, one ward and one constituency, from a single point. A few postcodes cross a boundary, so an address at the edge can belong to the one next door. Your council tax bill or your poll card settles it for your address.
Council, police force area and constituency: ONS Postcode Directory, August 2026. The MP: UK Parliament, read 14 October 2026.
What broadband can you get at MK42 0QB?
Every home and business at MK42 0QB can get gigabit broadband from a line, Ofcom says.
Share of homes and businesses that can get it
Gigabit (1,000 Mbit/s)
Superfast (30 Mbit/s or more)
Source: Ofcom, Connected Nations, Spring 2026, data for January 2026, Open Government Licence v3.0. How we use it
When are the bins collected at MK42 0QB?
BinDayBuddy has not read Bedford Borough Council's days for MK42 0QB today. It reads them from the council's own system when you ask.
Check the bin days for MK42 0QB on BinDayBuddySource: BinDayBuddy, built from councils' own collection systems and public data. BinDayBuddy is run by Towpath Digital, which also runs this site. How we use it
Is MK42 0QB at risk of flooding?
From rivers and the sea, long term
The Environment Agency's list of postcodes with a home or business in an area at risk of flooding from rivers or the sea does not include MK42 0QB.
Rivers and the sea only, for the land around buildings, not each building. GOV.UK's checker answers for one address, surface water included.
Source: Environment Agency, Risk of Flooding from Rivers and Sea (postcodes in areas at risk), published 6 July 2026, Open Government Licence v3.0.
From surface water, across Bedford
The Environment Agency publishes this for the whole council, not for MK42 0QB: 4,161 properties in Bedford are at high risk (4.3% of all its properties). All the figures for Bedford
Source: Environment Agency, Risk of Flooding from Surface Water, properties at risk by local authority, version 2025-09, listed 18 September 2026, Open Government Licence v3.0.
Flood warnings
The centre of MK42 0QB is not in any of the Environment Agency's flood warning or alert areas. Part of the postcode may still be, so check your own address when you sign up.
Sign up for flood warnings, free, on GOV.UK Check flood risk at another postcodeSource: Environment Agency, flood warning areas read 17 October 2026. Open Government Licence v3.0. How we use these
What do homes sell for near MK42 0QB?
Homes in MK42 0 sold for a typical £310,000 in the 12 months to August 2026, across 140 sales, down 9.9% on the 12 months before, HM Land Registry's figures show.
- Detached £425,000 37 sales
- Semi-detached £320,000 42 sales
- Terraced £280,000 41 sales
- Flat or maisonette £191,250 20 sales
Each bar is that kind's typical price, against the most expensive kind here.
Across the whole MK42 district: a typical £317,000 from 479 sales.
How we work this out: house prices by postcodeSource: HM Land Registry Price Paid Data, files dated 28 September 2026. Contains HM Land Registry data © Crown copyright and database right 2021. This data is licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. How we use it
Homes sold in MK42 0QB
HM Land Registry records no standard sales of homes in MK42 0QB from January 2024 to August 2026. The prices above are for the homes around it.
Sales at market value to a private buyer; the latest months are not complete. Own or live in a home listed here and would rather it were not? Ask us to take it off.
Source: HM Land Registry Price Paid Data, files dated 28 September 2026. Contains HM Land Registry data © Crown copyright and database right 2021. This data is licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. How we use it
What council tax band are homes near MK42 0QB?
The Valuation Office Agency counts about 680 homes in the neighbourhood around MK42 0QB. The largest share of them, 29%, are in council tax band B. More were built from 2010 to 2019 than in any other period (75%). A home's own band is set for that home: check it on GOV.UK.
Council tax bands, and a year's council tax
Band D in Bedford for 2026‑27: £2,472. For the bands the homes here are in, a year's council tax runs from £1,648 (band A) to £3,570 (band F); band B, the most common, is £1,922.
| Band | Homes around here | A year |
|---|---|---|
| Band A | about 60 (9%) | £1,648 |
| Band B | about 200 (29%) | £1,922 |
| Band C | about 140 (21%) | £2,197 |
| Band D | about 180 (26%) | £2,472 |
| Band E | about 90 (13%) | £3,021 |
| Band F | about 10 (1%) | £3,570 |
| Band G | withheld | £4,120 |
| Band H | fewer than 5 | £4,943 |
When the homes were built
- Withheld Before 1900
- None 1900 to 1918
- None 1919 to 1939
- None 1945 to 1964
- None 1965 to 1982
- None 1983 to 1999
- None 2000 to 2009
- 75% 2010 to 2019
- 25% 2020 or later
1900 to 1918, 1919 to 1939, 1945 to 1964, 1965 to 1982, 1983 to 1999, 2000 to 2009: none of the homes the VOA counts here.
Averages for Bedford before discounts, not any one home's bill.
Council tax: Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, Council Tax levels set by local authorities in England 2026 to 2027, Table 10, published 25 March 2026, Open Government Licence v3.0. How we use it
Counts for the neighbourhood the centre of MK42 0QB is in (ONS area E01034427), rounded by the VOA.
Check one home's band on GOV.UKSource: Valuation Office Agency, Council Tax: stock of properties, at 31 March 2026, Open Government Licence v3.0. How we use it
Which schools are near MK42 0QB?
The nearest open schools to MK42 0QB, in a straight line. Distance is not a catchment.
Primary
Source: Department for Education, Get Information about Schools, read 17 October 2026, Open Government Licence v3.0. Each school opens its own record there. How we use it
Where is the nearest station to MK42 0QB?
The nearest railway station to the centre of MK42 0QB is Bedford St Johns Rail Station, 3.3 km away in a straight line.
- Bedford St Johns Rail Station Railway station 3.3 kmCycle
- Bedford Rail Station Railway station 4.4 kmCycle
Straight-line distances from the centre point, not routes. Walk: under 1.2 km. Cycle: 1.2 to 5 km. Drive: further.
2 bus stops within 400 metres, the nearest Potter Meadows, 254 m away.
More stations near MK42 0QB, and how we find themSource: Department for Transport, NaPTAN, read 17 October 2026, Open Government Licence v3.0. How we use it
Which GP surgeries are near MK42 0QB?
The nearest GP practices to the centre of MK42 0QB, in a straight line. Each sets the area it takes patients from. In England, each opens its page at the Care Quality Commission, which inspects and rates it.
- Bedoc Healthcare Phone 01234 889088 1.6 kmCycle
- London Road Health Centre Care Quality Commission rating: Good CQC report August 2016, over 3 years old · Phone 01234 266851 2.7 kmCycle
- Putnoe Medical Centre Partnership Care Quality Commission rating: Good CQC report March 2017, over 3 years old · Phone 01234 319992 3.8 kmCycle
Source: NHS England, Organisation Data Service (GP practices), read 17 October 2026; ratings: Care Quality Commission, 1 October 2026, Open Government Licence v3.0. How we use it
Where can I charge an electric car near MK42 0QB?
The nearest charging points to the centre of MK42 0QB, as OpenStreetMap had them on 20 October 2026:
- A charging point Charging point · 50 chargers 1.2 kmWalk
OpenStreetMap is mapped by volunteers. It does not have every charger, and not every one it has gives its speed or plugs. Check a charger's own app before you set off.
See more chargers on Open Charge MapSource: © OpenStreetMap contributors, Open Database Licence, map as of 20 October 2026. How we use it
Which dentists are near MK42 0QB?
The nearest to the centre of MK42 0QB, in a straight line. Those in England open their page at the Care Quality Commission, which inspects them. It gives few dentists a rating.
- London Road Health Centre Phone 0333 207 4002 2.7 kmCycle
- Bedford Dental Practice Phone 01234 344431 2.9 kmCycle
- Mydentist - Riverfield Drive - Bedford Phone 01234 211714 3.0 kmCycle
Source: Care Quality Commission (directory of 14 October 2026), Open Government Licence v3.0. This uses Care Quality Commission information. How we use it
Which hospitals are nearest to MK42 0QB?
The nearest NHS and private hospitals and clinics in England, in a straight line, with the Care Quality Commission's latest overall rating. One in Wales or Scotland may be nearer.
- Moorfields at Bedford Care Quality Commission rating: Good CQC report March 2019, over 3 years old · Phone 01234 355122 3.5 kmCycle
- Bedford Hospital Phone 01234 355122 3.5 kmCycle
Not every hospital has an accident and emergency department. In an emergency, call 999.
Source: Care Quality Commission (directory of 14 October 2026, ratings of 1 October 2026), Open Government Licence v3.0. This uses Care Quality Commission information. How we use it
Which care homes are near MK42 0QB?
The nearest care homes to the centre of MK42 0QB, in a straight line, with the Care Quality Commission's latest overall rating.
- Southway Care Quality Commission rating: Requires improvement CQC report September 2022, over 3 years old · Phone 01234 267737 1.9 kmCycle
- Loveys Lodge Care Quality Commission rating: Requires improvement CQC report January 2021, over 3 years old · Phone 01234 214942 2.6 kmCycle
- Creative Support - The Houghtons Care Quality Commission rating: Good CQC report April 2025 · Phone 01234 351248 3.0 kmCycle
Source: Care Quality Commission (directory of 14 October 2026, ratings of 1 October 2026), Open Government Licence v3.0. This uses Care Quality Commission information. How we use it
Which pharmacies are near MK42 0QB?
The nearest NHS pharmacies to the centre of MK42 0QB, in a straight line. Those in England show the opening hours they gave the NHS (list published July 2026) and open their page on the NHS website. A few work online or by post only: check before you go.
- Pyramid Pharmacy, 15 Beauvais Sq,shortstown Mon to Fri 9am to 1pm, 2pm to 6pm; Sat 2pm to 5pm; Sun closed · Phone 01234 743330 500 mWalk
- Pyramid Pharmacy, 141 Harrowden Road Mon to Fri 9am to 1pm, 1:30pm to 6pm; Sat 9am to 1pm; Sun closed · Phone 01234 353630 1.2 kmWalk
- Smarta Healthcare Mon to Fri 9am to 5pm; Sat and Sun closed · Phone 01234 831768 1.6 kmCycle
Hours can change on bank holidays. For urgent help when a pharmacy is closed, call NHS 111.
Source: NHS Business Services Authority (phone numbers: NHS Organisation Data Service), Open Government Licence v3.0. How we use it
Which vets are near MK42 0QB?
The nearest vets to the centre of MK42 0QB on OpenStreetMap, in a straight line. Each opens its entry on the map, with its opening hours and website where they are mapped.
- Vets4Pets 2.5 kmCycle
- Scott Veterinary Clinic 3.1 kmCycle
- Medivet 4.9 kmCycle
OpenStreetMap may not have every vet. Out of hours, ring your own vet’s number first: the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons says vets in practice must arrange round-the-clock emergency first aid and pain relief, themselves or through another service.
Source: © OpenStreetMap contributors, Open Database Licence, map as of 20 October 2026. How we use it
Is MK42 0QB in a conservation area?
The centre of MK42 0QB is not in any conservation area, listed building, tree preservation area, green belt or protected landscape that planning.data.gov.uk holds. Not every council has sent all its data, so check with the council before relying on it.
Source: planning.data.gov.uk, asked at the postcode's centre point. Open Government Licence v3.0. How we use it
How much crime is there near MK42 0QB?
Police.uk records 69 crimes and reports of anti-social behaviour within a mile of the centre of MK42 0QB in August 2026, the latest month it has published.
Also: vehicle crime 3, other crime 2, burglary 1, shoplifting 1, possession of weapons 1.
Police.uk places each report at a nearby point, so this is an area, not a street.
Your local policing team on Police.uk How we work this out: crime by postcode, with the last 12 monthsSource: data.police.uk, from its download of 30 September 2026, Open Government Licence v3.0. How we use it
The official record for MK42 0QB
- Ward
- Shortstown
- Parish
- Shortstown
- Region
- East of England
- Country
- England
- Built-up area
- Shortstown
- Rural or urban
- Larger rural, nearer to a major town or city
- In use since
- July 2019
Source: Office for National Statistics (ONS) Postcode Directory, August 2026, loaded 20 October 2026. See all our data sources
Where to check what we do not hold
- Food hygiene ratings: Food hygiene ratings, from the Food Standards Agency
Around MK42 0QB
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Source: Office for National Statistics (ONS) Postcode Directory, August 2026, loaded 20 October 2026, the centre point of each postcode. How we use it
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