Aerial view of Bedford with a river running through it. To the right, a prominent church with a tall spire stands among other historic buildings. Modern structures and residential areas are visible in the background. A bridge crosses the river, surrounded by green spaces and trees. The sky is clear and blue.

Self Storage Prices in Bedfordshire

Storage pricing in Bedfordshire

Self storage at Smartbox Ampthill starts from £11 per week for a 16 sq ft upper floor unit and runs to £78 per week for a 200 sq ft ground floor unit. All prices are per week and exclude VAT. Every unit at the Ampthill Business Park site on Station Road is climate-controlled, accessible 24 hours a day, and managed via a digital lock app. There are no hidden admin fees. Prices vary by floor and unit size — this page sets them all out clearly.

How much does self storage cost in Bedfordshire?

For self storage with 24/7 access in Bedfordshire, expect to pay between £11 and £78 per week (excluding VAT) depending on the unit size and floor. At Smartbox Ampthill, prices are quoted per week ex-VAT with no introductory offers that spike after month one.

Ampthill sits midway between Bedford and Luton, just off the A507 and eight kilometres from the M1 at Junction 12. Over 215 homes sold in the area last year at an average of £452,000, making it one of the more active housing markets in Central Bedfordshire. Storage demand follows house moves closely — which is why pricing clarity matters when you are making a time-sensitive decision.

A Smartbox Self Storage Ampthill with two signs, one reads 'SMARTBOX SELF STORAGE' with a grid logo on the left, and the other reads 'SELF STORAGE PERSONAL & BUSINESS'. The building has blue metal siding and large windows.
A well-lit storage facility hallway with blue roll-up doors and white walls. A fire extinguisher is positioned on the floor next to one of the doors. The ceiling has fluorescent lighting, and an exit sign is visible in the distance.

What size storage unit do I need — and what does each size cost at Smartbox Ampthill?

Choose your unit size based on what you are storing, not a rough guess. The table below shows every unit size available at the Ampthill site, with ground floor and upper floor pricing side by side.

Weekly prices (excluding VAT), upper floor / ground floor: 16 sq ft £11 / £13; 25 sq ft £12 / £14; 35 sq ft £18 / £20; 50 sq ft £24 / £27; 75 sq ft £30 / £34; 100 sq ft £39 / £43; 125 sq ft £48 / £53; 150 sq ft £54 / £60; 200 sq ft £70 / £78. Upper floor units are the cheaper of the two tiers.

Smartbox Ampthill self storage prices by unit size, from 16 sq ft at £11 per week to 200 sq ft at £78 per week, excluding VAT, with ground floor and upper floor rates shown for each size.

Not sure which size to book? Use the storage size calculator to get a recommendation based on what you are storing.

Ground floor vs upper floor: what is the difference?

Upper floor units at Smartbox Ampthill are typically 10–15% cheaper than the equivalent ground floor unit. The trade-off is lift access rather than direct walk-in. For most customers storing boxes, furniture, or business stock, upper floor works just as well and costs less.

Ground floor is worth paying extra for if you are storing heavy items you will move frequently, or if you need to move large pieces of furniture in and out regularly. If you are storing items for a house move — packing things in and leaving them for six to twelve weeks — the upper floor price point makes more sense.

Comparison of ground floor and upper floor storage units at Smartbox Ampthill: ground floor offers direct walk-in access at the standard rate; upper floor uses lift access and costs around 10–15% less.

What is included in the price?

Every Smartbox Ampthill unit price includes 24/7 site access, climate control, CCTV security monitoring, and use of the digital lock app. You manage your unit entirely from your phone — no physical key, no queuing at a front desk.

What is not included in the standard monthly price:

  • Contents insurance (Smartbox offers this separately — you can also use your own home or business insurance if it covers off-site storage; make sure you check your policy)
  • Boxes and packing materials (available to purchase on site)
  • Additional padlocks if you prefer a physical lock alongside the app

There is no deposit required and no minimum contract length. You can book by the month and leave when you are ready.

How do Smartbox Ampthill prices compare to other storage options in Bedfordshire?

Smartbox is the only self-access, 24/7 facility with climate control in Ampthill itself. The nearest comparable alternatives are in Bedford, 8-10 miles away.

At a glance: Smartbox Ampthill starts at £11/week ex VAT (around £47.67/month) with 24/7 access and climate control on site in Ampthill. Bedford Self Storage is from about £43/month with 7-day (not 24/7) access; Safestore Bedford from about £58/month with drive-up units at premium pricing; easyStorage from about £56/month as a collection service with no self-access. The nearest self-access alternatives are in Bedford.

Storage price comparison in Bedfordshire: Smartbox Ampthill from £11/week (approx £47.67/month ex VAT) versus Bedford Self Storage, Safestore Bedford and easyStorage, showing monthly rates and access differences.

If you need to access your unit regularly, or if you are in the middle of a move and need to get in and out quickly, Smartbox Ampthill's location and 24/7 access removes a 15 mile round trip to Bedford on every visit.

If you cannot transport your items yourself and do not need to access them regularly, easyStorage's collection model is worth considering. This guide is honest about that.

Are there any extra costs I should know about?

No hidden fees, no deposit, no admin charge. Monthly billing starts from the date your unit is activated.

The main additional cost most customers add is contents insurance. If your home insurance policy covers items stored off-site, you may not need a separate policy — worth checking before you book. Smartbox can provide insurance if you need it.

Prices are reviewed periodically. The prices on this page are correct as at July 2026 and are quoted per week, excluding VAT. Check current availability and pricing for Smartbox Ampthill to confirm the live rate before booking.

What do customers at Smartbox Ampthill typically store?

"The 50 sq ft units are our most popular size at Ampthill — they tend to go first. Most people booking them are in the middle of a house move and need somewhere secure to put the contents of a one-bed or two-bed property for a few weeks while the paperwork completes. The 24/7 access makes a real difference when you're working around solicitors and completion dates — people can drop things off at the weekend or first thing in the morning without having to fit around anyone else's schedule."

— Roger Canham, Site Manager, Smartbox Self Storage Ampthill

Ampthill's demographics tell part of the story. The town has a median household income of £48,000, 82% of households own a car, and 43% of residents are in higher managerial or professional occupations. These are practical, mobile households — often mid-move, mid-renovation, or running a small business from home. With 65 net new businesses registered in the area last year, business storage demand at this site is growing.

How do I get started with a unit at Smartbox Ampthill?

You can book a unit online or call the site directly on 01536 402116. Units are available to pre-book now ahead of the site opening on 1 August 2026. The site address is Unit 3, Ampthill Business Park, Station Road, Ampthill, Bedfordshire, MK45 2QW.

Once booked, you set up the digital lock app before your first visit — no need to collect a key. The site is open 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

If you are unsure which unit size is right for what you are storing, use the storage size calculator before you book, or call Roger's team and they will advise.

Check availability and book a unit at Smartbox Ampthill →

Frequently asked questions

How much does self storage cost per week in Bedfordshire?

At Smartbox Ampthill, weekly prices start at £11 (excluding VAT) for a small upper floor unit and go up to £78 for the largest ground floor unit. Prices vary by unit size and floor. All units include 24/7 access and climate control.

What is the cheapest storage unit available at Smartbox Ampthill?

The lowest price is £11 per week (excluding VAT), for a 16 sq ft upper floor unit. This suits a small number of boxes, seasonal items, or a bike.

Is there a deposit or minimum contract at Smartbox Ampthill?

No deposit is required, and there is no minimum contract length. Prices are shown per week for easy comparison, but billing is taken monthly from the date your unit is activated. You can leave whenever you are ready.

Does the price include contents insurance?

No — contents insurance is not included in the weekly unit price. You can arrange cover through Smartbox or check whether your existing home or business insurance covers off-site storage.

Can I access my unit at any time?

Yes. The Ampthill site operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Access is managed via the Smartbox digital lock app.

Why are upper floor units cheaper than ground floor?

Upper floor units are accessed by lift rather than direct walk-in, which makes them slightly less convenient for heavy or frequent-access use. For customers storing boxes or furniture for a period of weeks or months, the price saving of 10–15% is a straightforward win.