Visiting Cranfield University or Airport? Here's Where to Stay (and Why Direct Booking Matters)

If you’re heading to Cranfield University or the research airport – whether for a few days of meetings, a short academic course, or a months-long project – you need a base that makes life easier.

Maybe you’re:

• Flying in for a research programme

• Starting a postgraduate or executive course

• Supporting a partner who’s here for a placement

• Working with Rolls-Royce, DARTeC, or any of the major aerospace projects on campus

• Just landed a temporary academic, pilot, or engineering contract

Whatever brings you to Cranfield – you probably don’t want to waste time trying to figure out where to stay. You want somewhere clean, professional, and flexible. Ideally without platform fees or long-term commitments.

Here’s the smart way to do it.

🧭 Welcome to Cranfield – Quiet Village, Global Impact

Cranfield isn’t your typical university town. It’s home to one of the UK’s most advanced aerospace ecosystems – with a working airport, cutting-edge research centres, and partnerships with world leaders in aviation and engineering.

We’re talking about:

• The Digital Aviation Research and Technology Centre (DARTeC)

• The National Flying Laboratory Centre

• The Aerospace Integration Research Centre

• And collaborations with Aston Martin, Rolls-Royce, Boeing, and Airbus

In short: if you’re here, you’re here for something important.

But the village itself is calm, practical, and well-placed – just 15–20 minutes from Milton Keynes and Bedford, with fast access to the M1 and A421.

🛌 Where Should You Stay?

If you’ve checked out hotels, you’ve probably already noticed:

• Few decent options nearby

• Expensive for more than a few nights

• No cooking or laundry (and microwave meals only go so far)

• Inflexible check-in times

• And absolutely no space to think, work or breathe

Traditional lets won’t work either – you're not about to sign a 6-month lease when you might only be here for 6 weeks.

You need somewhere fully furnished, with Wi-Fi, kitchen, privacy, and a little extra comfort to focus on what you’re here to do.

That’s where Little Piggy Rentals comes in.

🏡 The Cranfield Balcony Suite – Smart, Flexible, and Ready

This modern 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom apartment is a favourite for visiting academics, researchers, engineers, and pilots. It’s located right in the village, just minutes from the university and airport.

Here’s what you get:

• 2 bedrooms – Superking bed (or 2 singles) + 1 double

• 2 bathrooms – Including an ensuite

• Superfast Wi-Fi – For calls, lectures, downloads, and streaming

• Fully equipped kitchen – Proper cooking, not just reheating

• Private balcony – For morning coffee or fresh air between sessions

• Open-plan lounge-diner – Comfortable, clean, and easy to settle into

• Allocated parking – Plus visitor bays and easy street parking

• Flexible stays – From a few nights to several months

• Eco-conscious extras – Including tree planting for every stay 🌱

It’s professionally cleaned, quiet, and ready to go when you are.

💡 Why Booking Direct Just Makes More Sense

Found us through Airbnb or Booking.com? That’s great – but here’s the truth:

Booking direct is cheaper – plain and simple.

Those platforms charge 15–20% in guest fees.

 If you’re staying for several weeks or months, that adds up fast.

When you book direct with us, you get:

• Lower nightly rate

• Better flexibility for longer stays

• Early check-in and extras (when available)

• Real, human support – You message us, we respond

• More peace of mind – You're not locked into a rigid policy

We’ve hosted hundreds of visiting academics, engineers, and short-term staff across our properties. We know the drill – and we’ve got systems to make your stay seamless.

👇 Staying Soon?

Whether you’re here for a few intense days or setting up for a 3-month stint with the research team – The Cranfield Balcony Suite is set up to support your stay.

Click below to check availability and book directly with Little Piggy Rentals for the best rate and full support:

👉 Check availability and book direct

Questions? Just reach out. We’re here to make sure your stay in Cranfield is sorted, so you can focus on the work that matters.

• Don & Amos

•  Little Piggy Rentals 🐷