Welcome to Bedfordshire

FIRST LOOK

Bedford Park, a Grade II listed English Heritage Victorian park in the north of Bedford

WHICH

THE MOST HAUNTED CASTLE IN THE COUNTRY?

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Cover uses source material courtesy English Heritage. A Kingfisher Media publication. KVGWTB-0624-44-10051C-BIS

We fitted wigs in Wigan Gave grants in Glasgow Taught yoga in Yeovil

And got men talking about cancer in Brixton

Wherever

you are, we do whatever it takes to help people living with cancer.

These are examples of services that we’ve delivered. Macmillan Cancer Support, registered charity in England and Wales (261017), Scotland (SC039907) and the Isle of Man (604). Also operating in Northern Ireland. MAC19926

This part of the country is a foodie’s paradise with a host of fantastic restaurants, cafés and pubs – so make sure you bring a healthy appetite.

Only here for the weekend? Fear not! Here are some ideas for a memorable short break to Bedfordshire.

Culture vultures assemble! This county offers the perfect mix of galleries, museums, exhibitions and festivals.

The night-time economy in Bedfordshire is thriving, packed with clubs, pubs, bars and live music venues.

Although the county has more than enough to keep you busy, a journey further afield can make for an exciting new adventure.

final look at this beautiful region – Bedford Riverside, Great Ouse River.

This wonderful county draws visitors back like a magnet year after year

Welcome, visitor!

Whether it’s a weekend break to see the breathtaking Wrest Park, days out with the children or a taste sensation at some of England’s finest restaurants, Bedfordshire has got it all.

Outdoor adventures are in abundance in this county. From windswept walks to ancient woodland and native wildlife, you’ll find plenty to do in the great outdoors in Bedfordshire.

Step back in time at crumbling ruins and beautiful manor houses or take a trip to Whipsnade Zoo or Woburn Safari Park where you can get up close and personal with some of the world’s most majestic animals.

Shopping in this county is a real treat. You can browse the local produce at the picturesque towns and villages across Bedfordshire offering all the temptation presented by the many independent retailers.

You can get a taste for sumptuous food at the end of a hard day’s shopping at a number of Bedfordshire’s award-winning restaurants. Our must-visits include Paris House in the Woburn Estate; d’Parys, Bedford; and The John O’Gaunt, Sutton.

If you’re a culture vulture, you’ll find yourself in luck in Bedfordshire. This county’s creative scene is thriving, from the colourful Luton Carnival through to a plethora of galleries exhibiting inventive new works.

Then there are stately homes, festivals and a diverse and dynamic music scene to boot. One thing’s for certain: you’ll be sure to leave with your heart and mind full.

Whether you’re visiting for business or simply for pleasure, you can always be assured of finding something exciting to do, tasty to eat or interesting to explore, and you’ll want to return again and again. ■

St Paul’s Church at sunset, Bedford

Bedfordshire offers an abundance of things to do with days out and top attractions for the whole family to enjoy

Great days out

Bedfordshire is the secret heart of England, with ancient forests, historic churches, animal magic and sprawling country houses crisscrossed by Britain’s oldest walkways –and all framed by the chalky Chiltern Hills.

There’s certainly no shortage of cultural attractions in Bedfordshire. From country estates to museums and galleries there’s plenty to keep your brain engaged, and to wow your senses.

Woburn Abbey is an extravagant Georgian mansion overlooking sumptuous parkland right in the middle of the county. It’s currently closed for renovations until spring 2025 as part of a project to make the building watertight for the next century. However,

In Woburn Safari Park you can visit the animals from all around the world

the estate’s 3,000-acre deer park remains open. Full of herds of magnificent stags, it was modelled by Humphrey Repton on the principles of Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown, the grandfather of British landscaping, who greatly influenced so much of England’s wonderful countryside and dramatic scenes.

Owned by the Duke of Bedford – a descendant of Mary Boleyn, mistress to Henry VIII (and sister to the king’s second wife, Anne Boleyn!) – Woburn is one of the largest conservation parks in Europe.

The remarkable market town of Dunstable was the centre of one of the most seminal acts in all of British history: the royal annulment of the marriage between Henry VIII and

The Chinese Bridge, Wrest Park

Catherine of Aragon, setting in motion the English Reformation from the unassuming location of Dunstable Priory.

Today, St Peter’s Church remains as one of the finest examples of Norman architecture in England from what was a much larger Augustinian Priory church, founded in 1132 by Henry I. It’s well worth exploring.

While you’re in Luton, you might like to check out the medieval St Mary’s Church, which is right next to the new Power Court development. More than 850 years old, it was built by King Athelstan in 930AD, and provides a lovely ancient counterpoint to the new Luton.

Bedford isn’t short on historical attractions either. Start with St Paul’s Church – according to some sources, the reputed burial site of King Offa of Offa’s Dyke fame. There has been a church here for more than a thousand years, and the iconic spire still dominates the town from its vantage point at St Paul’s Square.

The church provided the religious backdrop for one of modern Britain’s most formative moments in recent history, when the Archbishops of Canterbury and York led the nation in worship during World War II, as transmitted over the wireless by the BBC into homes across the country on September 7th, 1941 (St Paul’s also saw Roman Catholic Masses led by a Cardinal). Next door is Bedford Corn Exchange, which hosts theatre, comedy and concerts.

John Bunyan Museum

The town was also instrumental in older, more revolutionary religious currents. John Bunyan Museum commemorates the life and writings of the eponymous 17th-century Nonconformist Christian writer and preacher, famous for The Pilgrim’s Progress.

Bedford’s Panacea Museum was once the headquarters of a small religious community – and the adjacent Bedford Castle Mound was the site of the ancient successive castles built and destroyed over the centuries.

Luton is the home of one of the world’s oldest football clubs, Luton Town, which was founded in 1885. Plans are afoot to construct a new stadium at Power Court, one mile from the club’s current Kenilworth Road ground, so it’s worth getting a taste of the original while you still can.

Just over the Bedfordshire border, there’s a real treat for children – Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter, less than half-an-hour’s drive from Luton. All seven of JK Rowling’s magical books were transformed into movies in the Warner Brothers studio over the course of a decade.

Here you can experience the majesty of Hogwarts’ Great Hall; Dumbledore’s office; and the Ministry of Magic. Even muggles are allowed, so bring your parents and pop along to 4 Privet Drive!

Also just outside Bedfordshire is Bletchley Park, once the fabled ‘Station X’, acting as headquarters to Britain’s leading codebreakers in World War II. It was here that they broke the German ‘Enigma’ encrypted code, which allowed Britain to win – or at least not lose – the Battle of the Atlantic. The original Victorian mansion of Bletchley is still surrounded by the Nissen huts in which this crucial secret work was carried out, and it’s possible to see the Enigma machine up close.

From windswept walks to ancient woodland to native wildlife, you’ll find plenty to do in the great outdoors in Bedfordshire. So, pull on your walking boots and get exploring this bucolic county.

The expansive Woburn Estate is home to Woburn Safari Park, where you can visit the animals of the wild plains, jungles and l

L Woburn Safari Park, Bedford I John Bunyan Museum, Bedford

savannahs of Africa without even leaving the country. Let the Road Safari take you on an adventure to see endangered and exotic animals, including tigers, lions, rhinos and giraffes, before watching daily keeper talks and demonstrations on the Foot Safari.

More animal magic can be found at Whipsnade Zoo, just outside Dunstable. It’s the biggest in the UK and includes sections showcasing African, Asian and European wildlife. You can have a gander at the huge mammals that used to stalk Britain, including the European brown bear, the Eurasian lynx, and the wolverine – all since hunted to extinction in the wild on these islands. If you want a more intimate experience with the residents, you can arrange to meet tigers, hand feed elephants and giraffes and even stay the night – either in a tent or in one of the zoo’s cosy Lookout Lodges.

If you prefer local animals and wildlife, Mead Open Farm in Billington has go-karts, tractor rides and an animal petting centre, while Herrings Green Activity Farm and Birds of Prey Centre at Wilstead offers all the fun of the farmyard alongside bird displays.

Beautiful countryside

Closer to Bedford, the National Trust’s Willington Dovecote and Stables are perfectly situated amid beautiful countryside near the River Great Ouse to the east of Bedford. Built by Sir John Gostwick, once Cardinal Wolsey’s Master of Horse, they are all that remain of the old Manorial Farm complex and contain 1,500 nesting boxes for pigeons.

For the perfect adrenaline rush for adults and children alike, visit Box End Park, which offers excellent water-ski and wakeboard activities among 100 acres of rural beauty near Kempston.

Equally exhilarating is Santa Pod Raceway which, near the Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire border, opened in 1966 as Europe’s first permanent venue for the world’s fastest motorsport – drag racing. Today, Santa Pod is a busy place, with 400,000 people a year attending 70 varied events, public track days and, of course, championship drag races.

The Stockwood Discovery Centre in Luton, meanwhile, has stunning walled gardens, and a sprawling adventure playground, as well as interactive exhibitions and the largest carriage collection in Europe!

For some real excitement, why not try out the axe-throwing and archery activities with Arrowdox at Oaklands Farm, near Ampthill?

There are plenty of wild places to explore in this county of forested ridges, rolling hills and sudden valleys. In the south-eastern

corner of Bedfordshire lies the Dunstable Downs, chalky escarpments perfect for a day’s walking, and popular among kite-fliers and paragliders.

If you want to follow in the literal footsteps of ancient Britons, hike the Icknield Way, which runs from the south west of Bedfordshire in Buckinghamshire, and continues across Bedfordshire, skirting the Ivinghoe Beacon, the Dunstable Downs (part of the Chiltern Hills) and Barton Hills National Nature Reserve.

Ancient woodland

Maulden Wood sits on the Greensand Ridge, which stretches from Leighton Buzzard to Gamlingay. The northern end of the wood is one of the county’s largest remnants of ancient woodland. Parts are filled with bluebells in spring, along with snowdrops and cowslips. Around the edges, you’ll find sticky willy, honeysuckle and trumpet flowers (bindweed). The northern section of Maulden Wood includes several Roman and iron-age archaeological sites.

Nearby lies King’s Wood and Rushmere, which, combined with the wide open spaces of Rammamere Heath, also makes for wonderful hiking and rambling.

Still in the mood for adventure? If your tastes are aquatic in nature, you could always try out the Bedford-based Canoe Trail. This family-run water sports and adventure business offers a wide range of outdoor waterbased activities, providing kayaks, canoes and stand-up paddle boards for visitors to use on the River Great Ouse.

Whether you get your kicks in the great outdoors or prefer to boost your brain in a museum or gallery, Bedfordshire delivers everything you need for fun days out. You just need to get planning! ■

Santa Pod Raceway, Europe’s first permanent venue for drag racing

DON’T MISS

1

Visit ancient sites

Climb back through history at Bedford Castle Mound, part of an archaeological park, and follow it up it with visits to the nearby The Higgins Bedford, combining on one site Bedford Museum, the Cecil Higgins Art Gallery, and Bedford Gallery, all housed in 200-year-old buildings. In the south of the county you can find Dunstable Priory, the historic site of King Henry VIII’s momentous

first divorce, sparking the English Reformation.

2

Fine dining Bedfordshire boasts some excellent dining options. Michelin Guide-listed Paris House offers sumptuous creations set in 22 acres of beautiful deer park on the Woburn Estate, with seasonal food-related art on the walls.

3

Get back to nature I Bedfordshire has outstanding examples of old-growth forests, including Maulden Wood and King’s Wood, extensive parkland at Woburn Abbey and Wrest Park, plus a plethora of urban parks like Priory Country Park, Bedford Park – and a magnificent Tree Cathedral at Whipsnade.

4

Historic importance

Romans, Angles, Saxons, Danes, Norse, Normans –Bedford, has seen them all. It has also played huge parts at key moments in history, from the ending of Henry VIII’s marriage to Catherine of Aragon to the choice of St Paul’s in Bedford to broadcast to the nation in the Second World War, to the First World War-era airship sheds at Cardington.

5

Literary greats

The County Day of Bedfordshire, November 28 marks the anniversary of the birth of John Bunyan, the author of The Pilgrim’s Progress. The county has other literary claims to fame. Robert Louis Stevenson’s Long John Silver was inspired by the poet WE Henley, buried at Cockayne Hatley and famous for Invictus, the favourite poem of Mandela, with its invocation: “I am the master of my fate; I am the captain of my soul”.

6

Beautiful architecture

From outstanding Norman architecture at Dunstable Priory, to the spellbinding Georgian mansion of Woburn Abbey, to the secret treasures of Wrest Park, Bedfordshire knows how to do buildings. This county is also home to

other notable buildings including Houghton House, Moggerhanger Park, and Turvey House.

7 Drag racing

Santa Pod Raceway, near the Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire border, opened in 1966 as Europe’s first permanent venue for the world’s fastest motorsport, drag racing. Today, Santa Pod is a busy place, as 400,000 people a year attend a number of events, family and festive occasions, public track days – and, of course, championship drag races.

Find wonderful countryside at the Forest of Marston Vale or Greensand Ridge

10

Admire the landscape I

This is a county of steep, forested ridges, rolling hills and sudden valleys, of chalky escarpments, rolling plains and some of the finest parkland in England. You’ll find wonderful countryside at the Forest of Marston Vale or Greensand Ridge, perfect for anyone wanting to lose themselves in nature. Enjoy a hike along the Dunstable Downs and the Icknield Way, reputedly the oldest footpath in Britain. Drink in the spectacular views from the highest point in Bedfordshire – and the largest stretch of chalk down land in this county. ■

8

Walk on the wild side K

From a herd of Asian elephants to 30 different species of butterflies, there’s more than 10,000 animals at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo. Woburn Safari Park

is no slouch on the animal front either, with 1,000 wild animals including southern white rhino, elephants and African lions

9

A cultural melting pot

Bedfordshire has huge Pakistani, Italian, Indian and Bangladeshi communities of long standing in the main towns of Luton and Bedford, while deep into the countryside you have old-fashioned English villages with a smattering of authentic Italian restaurants.

SHOPPING

Shopaholics will love Bedfordshire for its eclectic mix of boho-chic boutiques, high-street staples and quirky independents

Can’t wait to splash the cash on a fabulous shopping spree? With both modern shopping malls, stylish boutiques and quirky independent traders, Bedfordshire is a haven for shopaholics. You’ll find everything from designer clothing to antiques to vintage clothing and vinyl. There really is something to suit everyone!

If it’s high-street shops you’re looking for, Bedfordshire delivers – especially if you’re in the bustling town of Bedford. Its characterful, historic centre has been drawing shoppers of all stripes since the Middle Ages. Head out into the rest of the county and you’ll find shopping malls, arcades and winding streets full of character and history.

You can begin your shopping journey at the Harpur Centre, set in a recently renovated Grade 2-listed building, complete with a stunning atrium. Explore a wide range of top brands and stores, including Primark, Yours Clothing and Cube for fashion, Pandora and Claire’s for jewellery and accessories and Boots and The Fragrance Shop for beauty. Don’t forget to visit Geek Retreat if you’re seeking the ultimate gamer experience. Afterwards you can pop into Starbucks or Greggs for a mid-shopping snack.

From here you can walk around the corner to the Howard Centre, where alongside an excellent Asian supermarket you can grab a bargain at Poundland, get your shoes fixed at Timpson and browse discount designer fashion and homewares at TK Maxx.

Walk along nearby Midland Road for more shops in the form of Shoe Zone and H. Samuel and browse for the latest bestsellers in the local branch of Waterstones. Then it’s on to Silver Street for JD Sports, Moss Bros and a branch of The Body Shop.

Just out of town at Interchange Retail Park you can browse for fashion at Matalan, Clarks and Next, or pick up some treats for your furry

Bedford’s Harpur Centre is set in a recently renovated Grade-2 listed building

Luton is dominated by The Mall – a huge shopping centre running along the full length of John Street and Silver Street. With more than 100 retailers, you won’t be lost for choice. Find fashion at H&M, Superdry, Peacocks and River Island, footwear at Footlocker and Schuh and beauty at The Body Shop and Boots. When you’re in need of a break there are fast food outlets including Burger King and KFC to keep you satisfied.

There’s more shopping action to be had at Luton Retail Park, just across the railway track from the airport, where you’ll find Next, Argos and Hobbycraft, plus a Starbucks and a McDonald’s when it’s time to rest your feet.

In Leighton Buzzard the shopping action centres around Waterborne Walk Shopping Centre, where you can flex your credit card at stores including New Look and Boots. Head to the High Street for more shopping action, including books at WHSmith, fashion at Peacocks and everything outdoorsy at Millets.

Dunstable shoppers head to The Quadrant, where you’ll find shopping and dining l

friend at Pets at Home.

under one roof. After some new threads? Check out stores including New Look, Select and Bonmarché. Then there’s jewellery at F. Hinds, books at The Works and cards and gifts at Clinton’s or the Card Factory.

Love to bag a bargain or browse for unique finds? You’ll be pleased to know that Bedfordshire offers more than just malls. Vintage and antique shops, independent boutiques and thriving markets are all part of the retail scene in this lively county.

Bedford is home to three charming arcades filled with independent stores. Petite St Cuthbert’s Arcade has a range of quirky stores such as Honey Bunny Pie and Retro Independent for vintage jewellery and clothing and The Secret Garden for pre-loved quality childrenswear and toys, including plenty of designer names.

At Church Arcade you can spend your hard-earned cash at independent traders like Baker’s Best, DP Clarke Butchers, Sena Jewellers and – a particular favourite –RollBack World, which has skateboards, bikes, scooters and retro rollerskates.

A Crystal Palace

After its construction in 1905, Bedford Old Arcade was described by the local newspaper as a “Crystal Palace”, thanks to its impressive glass and steel roof, which floods the arcade with light. These days the main highlight is Arcadia Sweetshop, a family-owned shop that has been in business for over a century, where you can find over 300 jars of all your favourite traditional sweets as well as delicious handmade chocolates.

The Arcade is also home to Boutique Planet, where you can pick up ladies’ fashion by the likes of Emu Australia, Vero Moda, Vagabond and Superga, while Anorak specialises in forward-thinking, sustainable ladieswear brands such as Lolly’s Laundry and Louche London. Need to pick up a present? Colourful Charisma Gift Shop stocks jewellery, bath bombs, cards and homewares.

For some good old nostalgia, browse the vinyl in superb record shop Slide, or make for Rewind Retro Merchandise, where you can buy band t-shirts and have a go at old arcade games. If all that shopping’s worn you out, pop into Gallone’s ice cream for the best desserts Bedford’s Italian community has to offer.

The Howard Centre might specialise in high-street names, but there are a couple of independent gems in the mix. At Caution Vintage, sportswear junkies can load their bags with vintage streetwear, letterman jackets and US college sweatshirts.

The High Street is worth a look for

some off-beat finds for the man in your life. There’s Harrison & Simmonds, a self-styled gentlemen’s emporium where you can pick up pewter hip flasks, pocket watches, globes, paperweights, letter openers and cufflinks. There’s also a branch of Maysons, a designer menswear boutique offering in-demand brands from Paul Smith, Vivienne Westwood, Stone Island, Armani and Diesel.

If you’re after a good read, hit The Eagle Bookshop for rare and second-hand finds or try Close Encounters on Midland Road for DC, Marvel and Dark Horse comics as well as trading cards, graphic novels, figures and manga. At Tudor Rose Patchwork, you can find everything you need to create your own special quilt, while The Higgins Bedford has some splendid glassware and other giftware in its gallery shop.

Searching for some bling? You’ll find fabulous jewellery offerings at épanoui lifestyle, which also supplies beauty products, homewares and other artisan gifts from their Mill Street shop. For top-end jewellers, pop into Baker Brothers Diamonds for some prewar charm and elegance.

Bedford

is home to three charming arcades filled with independent stores

Wine and beer connoisseurs can fill their bags at The Flying Cork on St Cuthbert’s Street in Bedford town, where qualified staff are on hand to help customers choose from more than 400 global wines, plus niche beers and spirits.

There’s nothing more exciting than grabbing a great bargain – and Bedford’s charity shops can help you do just that. In the northern half of High Street alone, there’s a Marie Curie charity shop, a Cancer Research UK charity shop, an Oxfam branch and a Salvation Army shop. For the complete circuit, take a left down Lime Street for CAFFE Charity Shop at Clair Court, and round off your charity shop tour by popping into Sue Ryder on Harpur Street, and the British Heart Foundation shop on Silver Street.

If it’s a market you’re after, you’re well served in Bedford. The Charter Market sits in the shadow of the historic St Paul’s Church and the Corn Market. Pop along on Wednesdays and Saturdays to grab a bargain, buy fresh fruit or veg, or just soak up the urban market atmosphere. For the town’s general market, head to Bedford town centre on Fridays.

W&H Peacock at the Bedford Auction Centre in Eastcotts Park is the place to go for antiques. Or you can brush up on your auction skills in the ancient market town of Woburn at Hanson Ross auctioneers, where you can get your hands on plenty of Victorian and classic furniture in their old Town Hall sales room.

If you’re travelling through the centre of the county – maybe for a walk in the ancient Maulden Wood or having a day at Wrest Park mansion and gardens – be sure to stop at Barton-le-Clay where the Olde Watermill Shopping Village is a peculiarly English shopping experience, with wonderfully unique shops. Check out Ardent London Candles and the Craft Cabin for gifts, or Brides and Bustles, Confetti and Curves Bridal for wedding wear.

A favourite with locals and passing visitors is the Antiques Centre, with more than 100 dealers across 5,000 sq ft, offering vintage crafts, collectables and vintage and retro artefacts from all eras. For hobbyists, it’s bonanza time! Try The Tackle Shed for fishing gear, or The Model Box for model figurines –and round it all off with a game of Crazy Golf.

Country charm

Woburn has Georgian country charm in spades, but it also makes a splash on the county’s shopping scene. If you’re after cute boutiques, you’re in luck! Berchielli Boutique offers designer ladieswear and accessories, while Woolfe Jewellery specialises in custommade diamond pieces. Woburn China & Gift Shop, meanwhile, has all the tableware you could ask for, from traditional to quirky.

Up the road a little way, in Woburn Sands, there’s stylish womenswear at Seven, colourful gifts and clothing for men, women and children at Wonderment and bridalwear at Ivory Wardrobe.

If you’re off for a country picnic, stop by Aubergine Fine Food & Wines for fresh bread, cheese and charcuterie from their deli section or grab some coffee and home-made cake to have then and there.

The market town of Leighton Buzzard is worth a visit at any time, and you’ll find a great range of independent boutiques amongst the town’s original timber-built buildings. The Secret Courtyard on High Street offers a colourful collection of handmade bath bombs and soaps, while just down the road, Room No9 is a fantastic place to grab some jewellery, scented candles or homewares. If you’re in need of a gift, make a beeline for Happydashery, which stocks toys, books, beauty products, homeware, craft, and jewellery, including pieces by local makers.

Witches in training can make their way to The Raven & Broomstick, an off-beat treasure trove of all things mystical in Peacock Mews. Come here for spell books and ingredients, stuffed birds, crystals and pagan paraphernalia – you could even make time to have a tarot reading too!

If you’re more into train spotting than the occult, there’s an excellent model shop called the AGR Model Railway Store, where you can pick up brand-new and pre-loved train sets.

In need of some caffeinated refreshment after all that shopping? Follow the delicious aromas to Peacock Alley, where House of Coffee sells some of the finest coffee beans from around the world, roasted and ground in house for you to take away. To top it all off, they’re located in a glorious building dating back to the 15th century.

Set inside The Mall, Luton Indoor Market supports the area’s small and diverse business community. Come for a wander and you’ll find everything from West African fabrics and crafts to home-made jewellery and Arabian oils, not to mention an excellent greengrocer, butcher and fishmonger. Feeling peckish? There’s delicious street food on offer, including Malaysian, Chinese and Caribbean.

If you love nothing more than a good browse, this county delivers the goods and them some. Whether you’re after high-street names, independent boutiques or a good oldfashioned market, you’re sure to find it here. ■

The Mall, Luton

EATING OUT

This part of the country is a foodie’s paradise with a host of fantastic restaurants, cafés and pubs – so make sure you bring a healthy appetite

Bedfordshire’s food scene has plenty on the menu for all budgets and palates. Bedford and Luton deliver diverse dining, whether you want a spicy curry, a Caribbean feast, a fancy night out or a simple vegan burger. Head further into the county and there are gourmet gastropubs, fine dining restaurants and cafés, with many celebrating the best of local, seasonal ingredients.

If it’s British cuisine you’re after,

Bedfordshire doesn’t disappoint. You’ll find both traditional and innovative restaurants in this cultured county. Best of all, many eateries champion the delicious regional, seasonal produce that makes Bedfordshire so special.

In Elstow, the elegant St Helena Restaurant is must-visit dining. It’s set in an elegant 16th-century country house that was once the home of author John Bunyan, so

you can dine amid a backdrop of fine antiques and paintings.

Or, if the weather’s looking up, bag a table in the conservatory or outdoor walled garden. Either way you’ll be treated to delicious classic food such as pork wellington or panfried chalk stream trout. Owners and brothers-in-law Raffaele and Franco have been wining and dining locals and visitors alike here for over two decades.

Paris House is set in 22 acres of beautiful deer park on the Woburn Estate

For more high-end dining, head for the Michelin Guiderecommended Paris House, set in 22 acres of beautiful deer park on the Woburn Estate. The dining room offers modern British cuisine in the form of tasting menus (some of which run to eight courses), with highlights including monkfish with curried bouillabaisse and poached duck breast with figs.

You’ll need to don your fancy threads for a night out beneath crystal chandeliers and tapestries at the decadent Wernher Restaurant – a grand dining room superbly situated in the five-star Luton Hoo Hotel, a few miles south of Luton. They specialise in exquisite modern British dishes such as Shetland mussels and roast sea bream with steamed leeks, all at a very reasonable rate.

If you fancy something simpler try the adjacent Adam’s Brasserie or take a top-notch afternoon tea in the elegant Drawing Room.

For lunch or dinner in a hotel setting, try d’Parys, in Bedford, where contemporary English dining is the name of the game. Think beetroot and goat’s cheese tortellini, luxury fish pie and gourmet burgers.

You’re in luck if it’s topquality beef you’re after. Revered Steakhouse Miller & Carter offers succulent cuts from its Riverside Square location, while the Bedford Brewhouse & Kitchen does a nice line in craft beer, alongside an allday menu of burgers, hot dogs and dirty fries.

Hankering after some chicken? Foxy Wings has a delectable selection of wings, chicken strips and burgers, with an array of marinades ranging from mild to mind-blowing. There are plenty of options for vegans too.

For food in a Tudor setting, pop into The Plough at Bolnhurst, with its low beams and cosy feel. Food is sourced from local suppliers and includes simple, beautifullypresented dishes such as pan-fried monkfish, sautéed cavolo nero and fillet of veal with asparagus and sweetbreads.

In the west of the county, the stately village of Woburn has more

For more high-end dining, head for the Michelin Guiderecommended Paris House

than its fair share of culinary offerings. Flootes is an affordable combination of champagne and wine bar, with a range of sandwiches and light meals, as well as heartier roasts on Sundays.

For a weekend afternoon tea in the most elegant of settings, pop into the boutique Woburn Coffee House, with its wonderful walled garden and orangery.

The restaurant at The Woburn Hotel, meanwhile, offers a stylish and relaxed setting in which to enjoy wood-fired pizzas, burgers and hearty plates of grilled meat and fish.

Stylish options

For other stylish dining options in the east of the county, look no further than Potton, near Sandy. Here, The Coach House offers delicious cuisine in an elegant 18th-century dining room – there’s everything from brunch to tapas to dinner, all at a reasonable price.

Just nearby, the Michelin Guiderecommended John O’Gaunt has a garden overlooking the wheat fields of Sutton village, and a delicious menu of pies, burgers and steaks.

The Bell in Studham is another pub that’s well worth a visit. This multi-award-winning gem, nestled among Bedfordshire’s finest countryside, is just minutes from Whipsnade Zoo and Dunstable Downs. As well as dramatic views and accolades including ‘Best Pub in the County’, it offers English and Italian favourites to eat in or take away, including pizzas, traditional fish and chips and cheese and charcuterie boards.

In Slip End near Luton, you’ll find The Frog & Rhubarb – a cosy country pub that’s just as good for casual meals as it is for date nights. The menu is a mix of British and Mediterranean, so you could find yourself tucking into fish and chips, paella or even frogs’ legs.

Head over to Ampthill’s high street and you’ll find Eileen’s by Steve Barringer, which serves up modern cuisine in a snug restaurant named after Steve’s grandmother.

Bedford’s coffee culture is booming, and you’ll get a suitable l

introduction at Coffee with Art on High Street. Locally owned by Mike and Ian, this eatery is full of quirky charm and is a great place to grab a quick lunch, some cake or simply play a board game in a unique atmosphere. Also on High Street is Caffe Crema Restaurant, which offers hearty, fresh food as well as authentic coffee.

On the corner of Howard Street and Mill Street, you’ll find Frescoes Coffee House, which does fantastic breakfasts and light lunches. It’s the type of place to while away an afternoon with a coffee and a good book.

Also on Mill Street, The Mill Yard Coffee Lounge is a fantastic lunch spot and has courtyard seating for those sunny days. Vanilla Tree Bakery on St Cuthbert’s Street offers a great selection of cupcakes, brownies and cookies alongside their signature Italian-blend coffee.

If you like entertainment along with your food, Papillon Coffee House serves tasty home-made cakes, brunches and afternoon tea as well as putting on regular events such as bottomless prosecco evenings and live music nights.

Gunns Bakery, meanwhile, is one of the last places you’ll find the old Bedfordshire delicacy the Clanger. A suet pudding with a meat filling on one side and a dessert filling on the other, it was once the favourite food

Frescoes Coffee House serves fantastic breakfasts & light lunches

of field labourers who could easily eat them on the move. Gunns has branches on High Street in Bedford, on Hitchin Street in Biggleswade and a flagship shop in Market Square, Sandy.

After some plant-based sweet treats? Made in Bedford is an ecocafé and shop where you can gorge yourself on vegan cakes whilst you browse the work of local artists and makers – all in the same carefullycurated, stylish space.

Set on Longholme Island between the upper and lower Great River Ouse, The Longholme café is a destination coffee shop if ever there was one. As well as offering delicious coffee and food, including fantastic breakfasts and pancakes, it hires out boats at weekends and during school holidays from April to September.

If you’re popping out to one of Bedford’s many parks, there are plenty of places to grab tea and a

slice. Priory Country Park has the Cloverdale Retreat coffee shop and Mowsbury Park is home to the Four Seasons Café.

If you’re visiting Dunstable, there’s a wonderful tea-room at Priory House Heritage Centre, serving elegant sandwiches, scones and cakes. It’s the perfect way to take in the majesty of St Peter’s Church, the last remaining building from the magnificent Augustinian priory founded in 1132.

Lively Bedfordshire is home to substantial Asian and Italian populations, as well as growing communities from across the globe. What does this mean for eager foodies? A mouth-watering multicultural feast!

Italian cuisine

Bedford’s Italian community lends parts of the city a decidedly continental air, especially when it comes to dining. Try The Higgins Pantry on Castle Lane, which does pizza, pasta and Italian tapas, and has a lovely outdoor area. Around the corner, on Castle Road, you’ll find 2likeus Bistro for more Italian favourites. Peter’s Street, meanwhile, has the cosy, casual Amici Italian.

Over on Harpur Street, Mamma Concetta is a homely, awardwinning trattoria said to have the best pizza in Bedford. In Ram’s Yard, chic La Terrazza is the town’s newest Italian offering, with meat and pasta dishes the star of their seasonal menus. For a dessert with a hint of Italian influence, there are plenty of ice-cream parlours including Gallone’s and Sundaes Gelato in the Bedford Old Arcade.

Further south, Amore Pizzeria in Leighton Buzzard is another gem from Bedfordshire’s Italian community. Make sure you try their delicious home-made cakes for dessert. In Sandy, to the east of Bedford, you’ll find Pecoro, an excellent Mediterranean-style restaurant on Market Square offering pizzas, salads and plenty of vegetarian options.

Luton has its own fair share of Italian restaurants. The Monna Lisa on Guildford Street and La Trattoria

Artisan coffee at Frescoes Coffee House on Mill Street, Bedford

on Bute Street both provide a perfect romantic location for a date. Look no further than Bedford’s Tavistock Street, where you’ll find a dozen restaurants from the subcontinent competing for your attention. The standouts include The Cochin, for authentic South Indian cuisine and the Grand India Restaurant, which has been wowing Bedford locals with fresh, authentic Indian food for more than 40 years.

Over on the Broadway, Indiya is a beautifully decorated fine-dining restaurant that puts an inventive spin on well-known curries and grills, and Chaat Haus is a hip bar and restaurant specialising in Indian street food.

Out in Kempston you’ll find Bedford’s first and only Nepalese restaurant where you can sample traditional favourites such as Gurkha noodles and momo (steamed Nepalese dumplings).

There’s a good selection of Thai joints in Bedford, including Rice Thai on Cuthbert’s Street and Blue

Orchid on Shakespeare Road. The standout is Tana Thai on Cauldwell Street, opened by Tana herself.

For Japanese, pop into Wagamama in Riverside Square or try new offering Kazoku on St John’s Street, where as well as eating excellent sushi, sashimi and ramen, you can choose to have your food delivered by a robot!

In Luton, Nakorn Thai on Wellington Street is a wellestablished favourite, dishing up satay, curries and stir-fries in elegant surroundings. Just down the road, minimalist Rayu Pan Asian serves a little bit of everything, from gyoza to bao buns to katsu curry.

Nazar Turkish Restaurant on Bedford’s High Street specialises in Turkish meze and mangal – and has a very reasonable family platter. Just nearby, buzzy Marmaris Grill serves tasty kebabs, grills, fish and mezze until late.

For Greek street food and coffee to go, head to The Greek Pitta on Luton’s Park Street and sink your

teeth into flavourful pitta wraps, gyros, calamari and Greek salads. In Dunstable, try the Olive Garden for more traditional Greek fare.

You can make like you’re in the tropics at CaRumBar, a lively, colourful spot where the cocktails are almost as good as the perfectly-spiced food. This Bedford restaurant takes you on a trip around the islands though dishes such as ackee and saltfish, jerk chicken and grilled snapper with plantain.

You’ll find great vibes and food at Moziah’s on Luton’s Liverpool Road. Flame grilled chicken, braised oxtail and Jamaican patties are all on the menu – best washed down with a Red Stripe beer or rum cocktail.

You can travel the world on your Bedfordshire dining adventure, from classic British cooking at the county’s pubs and hotels, to aromatic Asian and Mediterranean cuisine in Bedford and Luton. One thing’s for sure – you’re not going to go hungry! ■

The Coach House in Bedford offers delicious cuisine in an elegant 18th-century dining room

Only here for the weekend? Fear not! Here are some ideas for a memorable short break to Bedfordshire

WEEKENDER

DAY ONE

Breakfast at Coffee With Art in Bedford, taking in the sumptuous hand-made design. Grab one of their excellent smoothies, and some porridge, or just sample the array of coffee while mesmerised by the artistic surrounds.

Walk down the High Street and go on a wander through the Arcade – maybe stopping for an ice cream or an outfit – into Harpur Square around the Harpur Centre. Visit the John Howard statue at St Paul’s Square, and drink in the majesty of St Paul’s Church, with its goldplated interior.

Walk down Castle Lane to The Higgins Bedford, with its ongoing exhibitions, and wander around Castle Mound, maybe visiting the nearby John Bunyan or Panacea Museums. For lunch, get out of town and visit the St Helena Restaurant in Elstow, once Bunyan’s home.

Sumptuous parkland

A short drive away is Woburn Abbey, an extravagant Georgian mansion overlooking sumptuous parkland right in the middle of the county. It is currently closed for renovations until spring 2025, however the estate’s 300-acre deer park remains open.

Full of herds of magnificent stags, the deer park at Woburn was modelled by Humphrey Repton on the principles of Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown, the grandfather of British landscaping.

If you’re feeling really adventurous, pay a visit to the highly-acclaimed Woburn Safari Park, too, where you will find red pandas, African lions, Amur tigers and more.

Then, enjoy dinner in one of Woburn’s many reputable restaurants before savouring a nightcap to end the day.

DAY TWO

Start your day at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo. You can become a “keeper for a day”, and go back in time to see what kind of animals stalked Britain before agricultural and industrial

revolutions: the European brown bear, the Eurasian lynx, and the wolverine.

For lunch, enjoy uncomplicated and beautiful French cuisine at Chez Jerome in Dunstable, or the White Swan Inn, which dates back to before 1769.

Spectacular views

After lunch, set out on an energetic afternoon hike along the picturesque Dunstable Downs and the Icknield Way, reputedly the oldest footpath in Britain. Take the

A short drive away is Woburn Abbey, an extravagant Georgian mansion

time to drink in the spectacular views to be had from the highest point in Bedfordshire – and the largest stretch of chalk down land in this county.

For dinner, head to the Wernher Restaurant a few miles south of Luton at Luton Hoo hotel. It’s a great dining room surrounded by rolling parkland.

Bringing a bottle of wine, return to the National Trust’s Dunstable Downs for a beautiful sunset, watching the gliders sway in the breeze. ■

The beautiful facade of Woburn Abbey

Culture vultures assemble! This county offers the perfect mix of galleries, museums, exhibitions and festivals

Culture Club

If you want art and culture, Bedfordshire delivers the goods. The county’s creative scene is thriving, from the colourful Luton Carnival to a plethora of galleries exhibiting inventive new works. Then there are stately homes, festivals and a diverse and dynamic music scene. You’re sure to leave with your heart and mind full. Bedfordshire has museums and galleries galore! Whether you want to pick up a piece of original art or simply lose yourself in local history, you can do so here. So, get out there and explore.

A good place to start is The Higgins Bedford, three cultural institutions on one newly renovated site to the rear of Castle Mound – The Cecil Higgins Art Gallery, Bedford Museum and Bedford Gallery. In this combined art gallery and museum, you’ll find paintings, collections of fine and decorative arts and displays depicting the lives of the many women and men who’ve made this ancient town their home. If you’re looking for something more hands-on, there are dropin communal activities too, including yoga, tai chi, mindfulness,

sketching, and an archaeology club. More excellent galleries await in Bedford, including the Eagle Gallery on St Peter’s Street, which features regular exhibitions of paintings, ceramics and other works by local artists, all available to buy. There’s an increasingly visible artistic community in the town. Bedford Creative Arts commission artwork from local creatives, and other initiatives include a cultural capital project in the Queen’s Park area of Bedford, which puts on the popular Queen’s Park Multicultural Parade each June.

The Higgins Bedford; three cultural institutions on one newly renovated site to the rear of Castle Mound

Just outside town is the leafy Stockwood Discovery Centre, which has beautiful gardens, with its regular interactive exhibitions and is home to Europe’s largest carriage collection!

For a peek at life for a wealthy Victorian family in England make your way to Wardown House Museum and Gallery to the north of Luton. Beautifully-preserved rooms feature interactive exhibits as well as local curiosities, and the gallery (closed for essential ceiling repairs at the time of writing) includes the largest hat collection in the UK.

The Wynd Gallery in nearby Letchworth Garden City and The Workhouse in Dunstable are also worth a look – both display work by local artists, most of which is available to buy.

Woburn Abbey’s fantastic collection of art and superbly sculpted gardens, modelled by Humphrey Repton on the principles of Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown, are off limits until 2025 due to an extensive renovation programme.

More excellent galleries await in Bedford, including the Eagle Gallery on St Peter’s Street

However much of the estate, including Woburn Safari Park and the Deer Park’s footpaths, are open. For a worthy alternative, discover the riches at Wrest Park. Run by English Heritage, the 92 acres of award-winning gardens celebrate three centuries of landscape design and include a striking Chinese Bridge and Temple, a pet cemetery deep in the woods and the spectacular baroque Archer Pavilion, built in the early 1700s. Events include ‘hands-on history’ experiences and a host of craft workshops.

There’s also a Dairy Sculpture Gallery – a collection of the estate’s most beautiful statues, tastefully restored and protected from the elements in the part of the mansion that once supplied butter and cream for the de Grey family. Here, you’ll find a curious bronze sundial from 1682 and a magnificent Neptune hewn from Portland stone.

It’s easy to get your cultural fix in Bedfordshire, thanks to a vibrant arts and theatre scene. Take in a l

The Eagle Gallery on St Peter’s Street, Bedford, features regular exhibitions of paintings and ceramics by local artists

As part of the UK’s premium live entertainment touring circuit, Milton Keynes Theatre showcases some of the best West End and international productions; bringing a variety of performances to audiences across the county and beyond.

Included within its programme are smash hit musicals, stunning dance performances, and thrilling drama, alongside opera, comedy, live music, and family shows. Alongside this, every festive season the region knows to expect a hugely popular pantomime full of stunning special effects and laugh-out-loud comedy!

Although one of the UK’s younger theatres, having opened in 1999, Milton Keynes Theatre has become firmly established as a destination venue with a first-class customer experience. Its contemporary architecture provides a light and spacious foyer, perfect for enjoying a pre-show or interval refreshment.

The VIP Ambassador Lounge and private Ambassador Boxes provide the perfect package for a special celebration, complete with host service and a selection of refreshments. Audiences are regularly pleasantly surprised to discover the clever design of this over 1,400 seat venue by Blonski Heard Architects, retains an intimate atmosphere without compromising on the view from any seat in the auditorium.

Continuing a focus on accessibility that started from the original planning and construction of the venue, Milton Keynes Theatre offers an array of British Sign Language interpreted, audio described, captioned, and relaxed performances. The venue also features step-free access and dedicated wheelchair spaces, which help to provide all patrons with an enjoyable visit. With tickets on most shows starting at just £13 and a range of discounts available, there is a price to match every budget.

Less than 10 minutes from the M1 and A5 and just a mile from the central train station, the theatre’s location makes it easy to access for audiences from across the region. Once you’ve arrived, there are plenty of fantastic options to eat and drink before a show, with the theatre’s in-house pizzeria, Pizza al Teatro, serving up delicious sourdough pizzas made fresh on-site to ensure you get to your seats ready for showtime.

With so much on offer, there is always a reason to visit Milton Keynes Theatre, one of the most successful regional theatres in the UK.

LOCAL ARTISTS

regular new exhibitions greetings cards and unique gifts art at affordable prices

paintings prints mixed mediaceramics glass photography jewellery textiles sculpture ORIGINAL CARDS BY OUR ARTISTS

Visit our Bedford Arts Trail for local arts venues

20 St Peter’s Street, Bedford MK40 2NN

Open Tuesday - Saturday 10.30am - 5.00pm, Sunday 11.00am - 3.00pm wheelchair access available

Tel: 01234 346995. For more information on exhibitions, artist galleries & special events visit our website www.eaglegalleryartists.co.uk or follow us on www.facebook.com/TheEagleGallery and www.instagram.com/eagle_gallery

community play, catch a touring West End production or party at one of the county’s lively summer festivals.

Set in the renovated St Luke’s Church in Bedford, The Quarry is a 282-seat venue and community arts centre where you can catch plays, comedy and live screenings of National Theatre performances. It’s also the home of Bedfringe, a vibrant festival that takes place over two weeks in July. Expect to see comedy, poetry, spoken word, live music and theatre, including productions for children.

Bedford Corn Exchange offers comedy, musicals, theatre, classical music and live music from its location in St Paul’s Square. For something less mainstream, The Place Bedford on Bradgate Road is a compact volunteer-run theatre for opera and comedy.

Historic surroundings

On Goldington Road, meanwhile, you’ll find the University of Bedfordshire’s very own theatre, which features both professional and student work, plus contemporary dance, theatre, comedy and music.

Trinity Arts & Leisure is a sports and leisure centre with an extra bonus – a small theatre! Open to the public in the evenings and at weekends, it puts on film screenings and performances from popular theatre groups such as the Bedford Marianettes and Bedford Dramatic Club.

For theatre in historic surroundings, Sharnbrook Mill Theatre, just north of Bedford, is the place to be. A skilful conversion of a former water mill, it has a storied history and is mentioned in the Domesday Book in 1086 as belonging to Countess Judith, the niece of William the Conqueror, and Hugh de Beauchamp. Come here to check out its lively programme of theatrical productions.

Theatre lovers visiting the south of the county are spoilt for choice. Luton Library Theatre, in St George’s Square, hosts a diverse selection of professional and amateur theatre for all ages, plus classical concerts.

Hat Factory Arts Centre on Bute Street has recently undergone extensive refurbishment, part of a £10-million new arts cluster for Luton’s Hat District. It puts on a diverse programme of live music, contemporary dance, theatre, film and more in three different venues. There’s The Studio Theatre for theatre and dance, The Factory Floor for live gigs and The Basement Bar for club nights, comedy and smaller gigs.

West of Luton, the town of Dunstable is well served by the Grove Theatre, a modern hub for live performances of ballet, drama, comedy, panto, film and kids’ shows.

Nearby, the 100-seat Little Theatre has hidden gem written all over it. It’s a real treat with a cosy bar, friendly staff and amateurdramatic performances. It has its origins in the Dunstable Repertory Theatre and is based in the old town library at the southern end of High Street.

Down the road, the Leighton Buzzard Library Theatre draws locals and visitors to screenings and performances. On any given night you could be enjoying a film screening, comedy from the Barnstormers or performances from local drama groups.

Specs Comedy in Luton keeps the gags rolling or you can get your laughs at Castle Comedy, a comedy club with monthly shows at Bedford’s Quarry Theatre. The same company also runs monthly comedy nights at The Weatherly Centre in Biggleswade, Sandy Roundabout Club in Sandy and at The Crooked Crow Bar in Leighton Buzzard.

An inspiring hymn to performance of all genres, The Bedfordshire Festival of Music, Speech and Drama takes place each March at the Bedford Corn Exchange. As well as catching fantastic performance, you can l

take part in musical workshops on everything from classical singing to musical theatre to Asian music.

Come and celebrate the great outdoors at the Greensand Country Festival, named after the Greensand Ridge escarpment which runs from Leighton Buzzard to Gamlingay. As well as wilderness-related pursuits you’ll find open-air theatre, music, Morris dancing and even trail running events. The action lasts from late May into June.

Colourful floats and outlandish costumes are the mainstay of the Luton International Carnival, the largest one-day carnival in the UK and a celebration of the town’s diverse community. Come and join the fun in June! Also in June is the Bedford Fake Festival, during which tribute bands strut their stuff inside a giant marquee.

In early July, the Linslade Canal Festival offers local bands, traditional rural crafts and boat displays, while later in the month, the Bedford Park Concerts draw revellers to everything from rock

bands to classical tunes at the Bedford Park Proms. Also in July, Ampthill Festival is a not-for-profit boutique music festival featuring everything from rock to classical and held at a natural amphitheatre at Ampthill Park.

The country’s main summer highlight, though, is the Bedford River Festival, which takes place biannually in July and sees up to 300,000 people attend events on the banks of the River Great Ouse. The action includes a main music stage at Riverside Bedford, dragon boat and raft races, a boat parade and a spectacular Saturday night fireworks display. The next festival will take place in 2024.

In November, the Hindu festival of Diwali comes to locations across Bedfordshire for a celebration of culture – with lights, jewellery, clothes, face painting and body art. From festivals and theatre to comedy, Bedfordshire has you covered, with museums and galleries in the mix too. All you have to do is choose what to do first! ■

The Quarry Theatre, Bedford

The night-time economy in Bedfordshire is thriving, packed with clubs, pubs, bars and live music venues

After dark

If it’s a fantastic night out you’re after, Bedfordshire won’t disappoint! Night-time offerings are lively and diverse, from pints of real ale and classy cocktails to a variety of live music and a growing LGBTQ+ scene.

Pubs in Bedfordshire cater to every whim. Looking for a cosy meal by a roaring log fire? You’re on. A night sampling quirky and moreish craft beer? Absolutely. And you’re also in luck if you’re after live music, big-screen sports or an old-school traditional boozer.

For a superb pint or a cocktail in an unusual setting, drop into The Auction Room on Duke Street in Bedford. The design is part minimalist hipster café, part gentleman’s club circa 1913, and the vibe is always upbeat.

Old-fashioned charm

Over on Tavistock Street, The Flower Pot is big on warmth and old-fashioned charm. It offers music, too, with live bands at the weekend and a jam night on Thursday. Beer fans should make a beeline for The Wellington Arms, or the ‘Wellie’ as locals like to call it. It’s a cornerstone of Bedford’s real ale scene in Bedford, and often puts on live gigs from its premises on Wellington Street.

More traditional pub drinks can be had at both The Bear and The Standard on High Street, while The Lane on Castle Lane is the place to go to join a sophisticated crowd sipping wine and cocktails.

If it’s a hearty pub meal you’re after, try out Albero Lounge in Riverside Square; Bar Citrus on Harpur Street; The Brewhouse & Kitchen on High Street; The King’s Arms on St Mary’s Street; or The Ship on St Cuthbert’s Street.

Cosy country charm is in abundance at the Crown Hotel in Northill, thanks lots of exposed brick and beams. The family-run pub offers a warm welcome and a menu of simple British and international classics – not to mention a sun-trap garden. Just west of Biggleswade, in the beautiful village of Old Warden is the rustic Hare and Hounds, a quaint country

Pubs in Bedfordshire cater to your every whim, from roaring log fires to live music

pub serving British cuisine.

For more top-notch eats, The Fox & Hounds in Riseley is a farmhouse gastropub with a great grill selection. Over in Bolnhurst, The Plough serves modern English and Mediterranean food amid open fires and low beams. There’s also a lovely garden for enjoying those balmy summer nights.

Head west from Bedford and you’ll find the village of Turvey and The Three Fyshes – a stunner of beams and honey-coloured stone. Pop in for a hearty meal on the way to or from the West Midlands. East of Bedford, The Guinea at Moggerhanger has a sprawling beer garden and a menu of pies, burgers and grills.

Gastropubs

Out in Wootton lies the improbably named The Legstraps, a country boozer with a wide menu, just a few minutes drive from Bedford by car. It has a great wine and cocktail list and roaring fires to warm your cockles when the weather’s chilly.

Just south of Bedford in picturesque Cardington is The King’s Arms, a gastropub with a lovely garden shaded by willow trees. If you’re out for a stroll in Maulden Wood, The George Inn is a good place for an after-walk tipple. To the south, The Jolly Coopers in Fliton is a bright, welcoming pub with countryside views.

The Black Horse is a familyfriendly pub in the village of Ireland, serving fine wines, premium beers and soft drinks. The Engineers Arms in Henlow, meanwhile is a traditional pub offering regular l

Bedford Bridge and the River Ouse at dusk

live music, disco nights and quizzes. On any given night, you might find the pub filled with amateur poker players, or a returning team from the golf society.

Situated in the Henlow Camp area is The Old Transporter Ale House. Owners Steve and Jay Topham opened The Old Transporter in 2014 for people to enjoy gravity-fed cask ales from both local and national brewers. The pub also hosts regular acoustic

music events liven things up.

For a laid-back local with a great selection of craft ale, try the Bricklayers Arms in High Town or the petite Great Northern on Bute Street. For drinks with a side of glamour, head for Arabella Lounge, an Arabic bar and restaurant at the top of Nadeem Plaza, where you can sink a few beers and even smoke a shisha pipe while you take in the dramatic views.

If you want to catch a match

Albero Lounge, Riverside Square, Bedford

over some beers, Luton has you covered – as you’d expect from the home of Luton Town FC. Try the Balcony Café Bar on Gipsy Lane, the Wigmore Arms on Wigmore Lane or The Jolly Milliner, a cavernous pub on Icknield Way.

The Engine & Tender usually has a guest beer on tap and a variety of sports on the screens, all overseen by amiable hosts Ken and Carol Maguire. For an 18th-century coaching inn complete with a

sunny courtyard garden, make your destination The White Hart. As well as a range of beers and wines, they’ve burgers and wood-fired pizzas to line your stomach.

Real ales and traditional ciders are the USP of The Black Lion, a ramshackle pub with a warm heart. Settle down in one of the pub’s cosy nooks or soak up the rays in the beer garden. For drinks overlooking the Grand Union Canal, try the Grove Lock. They have tables right next to the water.

Nightlife in Bedfordshire isn’t just about cosy pubs. If you want to stay out until the small hours there are plenty of clubs and late-night bars who’ll oblige, as well as a lively music scene where you can catch bands playing everything from jazz to rock.

Local pubs

If you like your club nights laid back, Six’s Club, on Bedford’s Lurke Street is the ideal setting. It’s a small, friendly space with a soundtrack of reggae and dubstep. Want things bigger and brasher? Vogue Bar on High Street is a vast space with four bars and three dance floors, playing everything from house to bhangra to afrobeat until 4am at weekends.

The Studio Club is a pub, weekend music venue and community hub on Alexandra Road. It mentors local artists through its music programme and works with Creative Arts Bedfordshire to provide practice space for local bands. During the week it’s a local pub complete with pool, dominoes, poker and pub games, but it truly comes alive at weekends, with a host of resident DJs playing urban sounds, and with regular visits from guest and international DJs.

The famed Barley Mow in Bedford is at the heart of Bedfordshire’s LGBTQ+ scene, while Luton is home to Flame Bar & Nightclub, another popular stop on the county’s gay scene. Kabanas Bar and Lounge in Luton is the place to go for drinks, pool and AfroCaribbean food during the week. At weekends it turns into a latenight club, where the party rages

If it’s a hearty pub meal you’re after, try out Albero Lounge in Riverside Square

until 5am. Expect to hear hip-hop, afrobeat and more.

Independent grassroots music venues don’t get much better than Bedford Esquires, a much-loved venue that’s been going for over 30 years. The 280-capacity main stage has seen everyone from Lizzo to Coldplay perform, and the two smaller performance spaces put on everything from live jazz to house DJs to acoustic sessions.

Live music

Luton’s live music scene is thriving, with a host of venues to see you through the week. Jazz, blues and alternative tunes are the mainstay of the endearingly named Bear Club. With the lights down low and a cabaret-club setup, it has plenty of old-world charm to spare.

For late nights, The Castle Tavern is probably Luton’s best alternative music night, with live music and DJs playing to a friendly crowd until 3am at weekends.

You’ll hear the country’s best tribute bands battle it out at Fake Festivals, a high-octane celebration of rock and pop that takes place in Bedford Park each May. Get ready to party along to favourites like Foo Fighters, Nirvana and Queen! July brings Ministry of Sound Classical to Bedford Park, where the likes of Judge Jules and Roger Sanchez perform alongside a full orchestra.

It’s easy to be entertained after the sun goes down in Bedfordshire. You can sink a few pints in a country pub, sample the county’s live music scene or feel the vibes at a festival. Whatever you do, there’s no chance of you getting bored! ■

Although the county has more than enough to keep you busy, a journey further afield can make for an exciting new adventure

Time to explore

Bedfordshire’s location as the gateway from London to the Midlands and East Anglia means the best of England is within easy reach. For a longer drive, visit Oxford, about a 90-minute drive from Bedford along the A421, and a shorter distance from Leighton Buzzard, Luton and Dunstable.

Busier and more populated than Cambridge, Oxford is a captivating city dominated by its 38 colleges – highlights include Christchurch College, the Bodleian Library, and the Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology.

North of Oxford is Blenheim Palace, birthplace of Winston Churchill and ancestral seat of the Dukes of Marlborough. Built 300 years ago in the English baroque style, it is now a World Heritage site, the only palace in Britain home to neither royalty nor bishops.

Bedfordshire also makes an excellent base to explore London. See the iconic royal residences of Buckingham Palace and Kensington Palace; Big Ben and the Palace of Westminster – and the increasingly interesting London skyline, with buildings like the Gherkin and the Shard framing the ancient city.

London’s proximity places the world’s finest museums on your doorstep. Start with the British Museum, which hosts all the cultural wealth that poured into Britain when it was the centre of history’s largest empire. There are 8 million artefacts in the museum, from ancient Assyria, Babylon, ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome, China and Europe including The Rosetta Stone and Elgin Marbles.

From there, move on to the Natural History Museum, the National Gallery on Trafalgar Square, Tate Modern on the south

bank, nearby Tower Bridge and the Tower of London.

Built by William the Conqueror in 1078, the Tower is a prison, palace, observatory and treasure vault in one. A particular highlight is the Line of Kings – the world’s oldest visitor attraction. Then there’s St Paul’s – the cathedral built by Christopher Wren on an ancient pagan place of worship. West of London lies Windsor Castle – with a huge, under-visited park – while, further south, the ancient wonder of Stonehenge. The best-known prehistoric monument in England, it is best visited with a timed ticket, to avoid disappointment. A fine view of Stonehenge is available from the nearby A303, although parking or stopping there is not allowed.

In Buckinghamshire, you’ll find Milton Keynes where must-dos include a trip to the buzzing Milton Keynes Theatre, one of the county’s leading live entertainment venues showcasing some of the best West End and international productions around; a visit to Gulliver’s Land Theme Park with the family; or even an educational trip to Bletchley Park, once the top-secret home of the World War II codebreakers.

Further to the west is the Roman city of Bath, and the increasingly hip city of Bristol. To get to wild England, go further west to Devon, with its brilliant hidden beaches, or Cornwall – home to the Eden Project, St Michael’s Mount, and Tresco Abbey Garden.

To the east and north, don’t forget the beaches of north Norfolk, and the great cities of the north: Manchester, Liverpool and Leeds, which have all undergone radical change in recent decades. From Bedfordshire, England is your oyster. ■

PHOTO-FINISH