Categories Of Services
Tourist Information Centre
Make the Tourist Information Centre your first port of call when planning a trip to Bedford and north Bedfordshire for the latest information on where to stay, where to eat and what to see and do.
Contact Details
Town Hall St Paul’s Square, Bedford MK40 1SJ
Tel: 01234 221712 Fax: 01234 217932
Email: touristinfo@bedford.gov.uk
Tourist Information Centre Easter Opening Hours:
Summer Opening Times (1st May – 31st August) 9:00am – 4:30pm Mon to Sat and 10:00am – 2:00pm Sun and Bank Holidays
Winter Opening Times (1st September – 30th April) 9:30am – 5:00pm Mon to Sat
'New Bedford Shopping Opportunity'
Tourist Information Centre Online Shop
Why not visit our exciting new online shop offering a range of gifts and a selection of products made in Bedfordshire. Please click here to visit the online shop.
Welcome to Bedford
Centrally located between London, Oxford and Cambridge, Bedford is a lively cosmopolitan town with a rich heritage, celebrated in a programme of events and festivals throughout the year.
The compact, pedestrianised shopping centre has more than 300 shops including department stores, major chains and smaller niche retailers, shopping mall, arcades and open air markets. Spend a day, weekend or longer in this fascinating market town and you will always have plenty to occupy and entertain you. The town hosts a twice weekly market on Wednesdays and Saturdays and farmers markets are held once a month. Thursdays in Bedford are now filled with the sensual delights of the Gourmet Food Market while Fridays play host to the beautiful Flower and Plant Market.
Renowned as having one of the finest riverside settings in the country, enjoy panoramic views of the River Great Ouse from the restored Castle Mound; all that remains of Bedford castle, which was destroyed in the siege of 1224. Visit the Bedford Room, Bedford Museum and the Cecil Higgins Art Gallery and discover more about the strong characters who, through the centuries have lead and shaped the town; John Bunyan, William Harpur, John Howard and Archbishop Trevor Huddleston also associated with the town, Sir Henry Wood and Glenn Miller.
With a wealth of parks and green open spaces adorning the town and lining its urban riverscape, you can enjoy a little ‘messing about on the water’ at Longholme Boating Lake or some serious water sports at Priory Country Park. Take a stroll or picnic at Bedford Park laid out in 1883, complete with traditional bandstand and pavilion alongside the contemporary award winning children’s playground.
What to See and Do
Cultural Quarter
In the heart of town close to the Castle Mound, the John Bunyan Museum, Bedford Museum, Eagle Gallery, Cecil Higgins Art Gallery (currently closed for refurbishment) and the BCA Gallery make up Bedford’s Cultural Quarter. For more information visit the links below, or to find out more about the John Bunyan Museum and Bunyan Meeting Free Church contact 01234 213722.
www.eaglegalleryartists.co.uk
www.bedfordmuseum.org
www.cecilhigginsartgallery.org
www.bedfordcreativearts.org
Get Active
Wanting to burn off some energy? How about the Oasis beach pool or Mowsbury golf complex, better still watch others at the International Athletic stadium for more details visit www.bedford.gov.uk/leisureandculture
Adrenalin Rush
For those who crave a sense of adventure when it comes to their days out, Bedford and the surrounding areas offer a range of diverse activities to suit the adrenalin junkie from paintball to freefall, off road to on target. See our visitors guide for more information.
More Fun for Everyone
For a walk on the wild side visit Woburn Safari Park, Wild Britian and Thurleigh Farm Centre or enjoy the surroundings of Wrest Park, Woburn Abbey and Elstow Moot Hall. See our visitors guide for more information.
Guided Walks
Bedford offers a wealth of scenic walks around the town, from a self guided did you know trail to walks presented by the Bedford Association of Tour Guides.
FREE Summer Guided Walks from May to August 2008
Free guided walks take place on Sunday mornings at 11am, Wednesday evenings at 7pm and selected Thursday afternoons at 2pm. To find out more please ask for a copy of the Bedford Guided Walks Leaflet or download a copy from this site under the leaflets section. Pre-booking is essential as places are limited.
Group Walks
We can organise tailor made group walks for any of the titles outlined in the guided walks leaflet, there is a limit of 15 people per guide. (These walks are chargeable)
Prices
Adult £3
Child £1.50 (over 8 years)
Concessions £2.50
Bedford Town Centre Vouchers
Exclusive to Bedford Tourist Information Centre the Bedford Town Centre Gift Voucher can be exchanged at stores participating in the BedfordBID voucher scheme.
For a full listing of participating stores visit www.comearoundtobedford.co.uk
Vouchers are available in denominations of £20, £10 and £5.
Looking for a day trip?
Interested in a coach trip? We can make bookings for Saffords, Barfordians and Whippets coach companies, who offer a range of trips to events and attractions.
Want to visit the Capital or Coast?
Why not take advantage of our off peak discount First Capital Connect rail offer to Brighton via London and Gatwick.
First Capital Connect Tickets (prices from 18th May 2008)
Adult £12.50
Child £2 (5 - 15 years)
Group £30
Gatwick Flyaway £60 (up to 4 people)
Gatwick Flyaway Child £2 (5 - 15 years)
The first off peak train from Bedford station on a weekday is 9:40am.
Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays are all off peak.
Please be aware on weekdays you are not permitted to board the train between 12:00am and 9:30am and travelling northbound from approximately 4:00pm to 7:00pm depending on the departing London station. (Please see timetable for details)
If you want to stay overnight and return on a different day, just purchase another set of tickets dated for your return day of travel. (Please remember that the off peak morning restriction applies when travelling on a weekday.)
To help you get the most out of your visit to London we offer the following:-
Discount Whipsnade and London Zoo tickets
Original London Bus Tour Tickets
London Underground Tickets.
London Underground Tickets - 1 Day Off Peak Travelcard Zones 1 & 2
Adult £5.30
Child £2 (Zones 1 - 6)
London Underground Tickets - 1 Day Off Peak Travelcard Zones 1 & 4
Adult £5.90 (Ideal for Wembley)
For use after 9:30am Monday to Friday and anytime Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays
Accompanying adults can take up to 4 children under the age of 11 years.
if customers with children require travel on tram or bus they will need to buy a child travelcard.
Fancy a night out?
Book here for the Derngate (Northampton), Milton Keynes Theatre and The Stables at Wavendon. Why not purchase theatre tokens accepted at over 150 theatres including Londons West End, they make an ideal gift.
To enter the Free Prize Draw in the Visitors Guide, please click here.
SERVICES A-Z
Tourist Information Centre
Accommodation Guide
RELATED PAGES
Bedford Whats On Guide
Tourism Leaflets
Accommodation Guide
Entertainment and Events
Tourism
Leisure and Culture