What is "renhold"

Renhold is a village and civil parish located on the River Ouse, in the hundred of Barford, in the county of Bedfordshire, England. It is just to the north of Bedford. Bedfordshire County Council estimated the population as 1,800 as at 2005, and forecasted an increase to 2,320 by 2010.

Renhold consists of several hamlets ("Ends" in local parlance) including Salph End, Church End, Lane End, Top End, Green End, and Water End. In the 2000s, two new housing estates have been constructed on the southern boundary of the Renhold parish. The Spires and the "Cranbourne Gardens" estates have been established off Norse Road in Bedford, with vehicular access from the Goldington area of the town. Yet the new estates remain part Renhold village for electoral purposes.

The parish is home to Renhold Chapel, Green End, All Saints Church at Church End and the ruins of Renhold Castle. There is a country house called Howbury Hall in the southern part of the parish. It was rebuilt in 1849, and remains a private home.