What is "henlow"

Henlow is a village and civil parish in the district of Central Bedfordshire in Bedfordshire, England.

Henlow is mentioned (with a degree of dispute recorded) in the Domesday Book. The entry reads: Haneslau(ue)/Hanslau(e): Herfast from Nigel d'Aubigny; Hugh from Walter of Flanders; Widder and Bernard from Azelina, Ralph Tailbois' wife (Hugh de Beauchamp claims from her, stating it was never in her dowry); Alric. 2 mills.

RAF Henlow is located nearby, but is nearer to the village of Stondon. The civilian settlement of Henlow Camp has grown to surround the RAF station.

There is a health farm in Henlow at Henlow Grange, part of the Champneys group.

There is a public house, The Engineer's Arms in the high street.

There are several theories as to the origin of the name Henlow. Henna hlaw is one, meaning in old English "Hill of birds". Hlow was also sometimes used to indicate a burial place.

The parish church, parts of which are 13th-century, is dedicated to St Mary the Virgin.