Barton-le-Clay is a large village and a civil parish in the Central Bedfordshire Borough in Bedfordshire, England, bordering Hertfordshire. The village has existed since at least 1066 and is mentioned in the Domesday Book. History On 25 May 1956 the parish was renamed from "Barton in the Clay" to "Barton-le-Clay". Ancient history To the southwest of the town, across the A6 is Sharpenhoe Clappers, an Iron Age hill fort. The Domesday Book Barton-Le-Clay Domesday Book entry, taken from 210d 2. In FLITT Hundred M. The Abbot also holds Barton (in-the-clay). It answers for 11 hides. Land for 12 ploughs. In lordship 3 hides; 2 ploughs there; a third possible. 20 villagers have 9 ploughs. 7 smallholders and 6 slaves. 1 mill, 2s, meadow for 6 ploughs; woodland, 200 pigs. In total, value £10; the same when acquired; before 1066 £12. This manor always lay in (the lands of) St Benedict's Church. With this manor the Abbot claims against Nigel of Aubigny and Walter the Fleming of meadow which lay there before 1066, but John of Les Roches dispossessed him wrongfully, and this the Hundred testifies. Location Barton-le-Clay is in Central Bedfordshire between Bedford and Luton, north of London. Nearby villages include Sharpenhoe, Silsoe, Westoning and Pulloxhill. The A6 which runs from Luton (6 miles south of the village) bypasses Barton and continues through Bedford (north of the village) to Carlisle. The village bypass was constructed in January 1990. In the southeast of the parish are the Barton Hills, which form the northeast extremity of the Chiltern Hills and are designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Much of this area of chalk downland is now a nature reserve, managed by Natural England. Places of worship Baptist – Hope Chapel Church of England – St. Nicholas Church Methodist – Barton-le-Clay Roman Catholic – St. Matthew (Now closed) Schools Two major schools are in Barton: Ramsey Manor Lower School and Arnold Academy, a middle school The lower school takes children of the village. The middle school usually also takes those of Westoning, Silsoe and Greenfield, its children and those new to Barton meet ex-school and geographic criteria of Harlington Upper School admission (13+). The village has a pre-school. A small private nursery and prep school for children aged 0 to 9, Orchard School & Nursery, is in the parish. Transportation The closest railway station is , somewhat more by footpath, in Harlington.