Note: Located on north slopes of Chiltern Hills; there was a Roman settlement here, on Roman Watling Street; excavations carried out in 1967-1968 (on the site of the Dominican friary). The later town grew around Augustinian priory built by Henry I (ruled (1100-1135). Town was once known for its straw hat industry, now noted for automobile manufacturing plants and cement works; 500-acre Whipsnade Zoo opened in 1931 here.