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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  

Opening Times  9am - 4.30pm Mon to Sat

10am  - 2pm Sundays and Bank Holidays (May to August)

Please note: The Tourist Information Office will be shut on Sunday

18th July 2010

 

Please click  here to visit the Tourism website

 

FREE Bedford Guided Walks

These walks take place from Sunday 18th April until Sunday 12th September on Sundays at 11am, Wednesdays at 7pm.

N.B. There will not be a Guided Walk on Sunday 18th July 2010

To view a programme of monthly walks please click on the tabs below .

July Walks

August Walks

N.B. The Guided Walk on Sunday 15th August has been cancelled

September Walks 

To View a complete listing of services that the Tourist Information Centre in Bedford Offers,  please click here for a leaflet.

 

The Bedford Room - A Thousand Years of Bedford's History
The Bedford Room offers adults and children an opportunity to explore Bedford's history by following the scenes on the mural and listening to the lively narration, from Saxons through to Wartime to present day you can discover what makes Bedford unique. The Bedford Room is free to enter through the Tourist Information Centre.

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.

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, Bedford Gallery and the John Bunyan Museum. 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.

Our complete 2010 Bedford and Beyond Visitor Guide is available to post please contact the Tourist Information Centre in Bedford Tel: 01234 221712  or email touristinfo@bedford.gov.uk for a copy.  

 

To view specific PDF's   of the Bedford and Beyond Visitor Guide 2010  including sections of  Accommodation, Local Attractions, Food and drink in Bedford  and Location Maps please view the following links:

 

Accredited Accommodation: Hotels,Guest Houses, B&Bs and Self Catering Accommodation

Accommodation that has been inspected and accredited by either AA or Visit Britain

Please click here to download the Accredited Accommodation PDF from the 2010 Bedford and Beyond Brochure

 

Independent Accommodation and Branded Hotels

Independent Accommodation: Those not belonging to an accreditation scheme.
Branded Hotels: Those belonging to national chains

Please click here to download the  Independent Accommodation and Branded Hotels 2010 PDF

 

Food and Drink In Bedford

Your guide to Bedfords best restaurants, cafes, coffee shops, pubs and clubs

Please click here to download the Food and Drink Guide for 2010 PDF


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 and the Bedford Gallery

 

Local Attractions
Your comprehensive guide to the great attractions in and around Bedford

Please click here to download the Local Attraction Guide from the Bedford and Beyond brochure 2010


Shopping
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.
Markets
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 and once a month is the Antiques, Arts, Crafts and Collectors Fair while Fridays play host to the beautiful Home and Garden Market.

Parks and Gardens
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.

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.  For a copy of the latest self guided walk please view the leaflets page

Free 2010 Summer Season of Guided Walks
The summer season of guided walks will run from Sunday 18th April  to Sunday 12th September 2010. Sundays at 11am, Wednesdays at 7pm. To view the programme of guided walks go to the tourism leaflets page 


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) 
A copy of the 2010 guided walks leaflet is available to look at under related pages entitled tourism leaflets.

 

Ghost Walks
The season of ghost walks runs from October to March pre-booking is essential as places are limited, please contact the Tourist Information Centre for more details.

Prices
Adult £3
Child £1.50 (over 8 years)
Concessions £2.50 

Bedford Town Centre Shopping Vouchers

Exclusive to Bedford Tourist Information Centre the Bedford Town Centre Gift voucher can be exchanged at stores participating in the BedfordBID voucher scheme.
Vouchers are available in denominations of £20, £10 and £5. and valid for 3 months
For a full listing of participating stores visit http://www.comearoundtobedford.co.uk/ 
Vouchers are available in denominations of £20, £10 and £5.

Looking for a day trip? Coach bookings
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.

 

Barfordian Holidays

You can now book your Barfordian coach holidays as well as day trips with us.

Fancy a night out? Theatre bookings
Book here for the Derngate (Northampton), Milton Keynes Theatre, why not purchase theatre tokens accepted at over 235 theatres including Londons West End, they make an ideal gift.

For information on events at Bedford Corn Exchange, Civic Theatre and the Harpur Suite please contact the booking line on 01234 269519 or visit http://www.bedfordcornexchange.co.uk/  


 

Discounted First Capital Connect Rail Tickets
Why not take advantage of our off peak discount First Capital Connect rail offer to Brighton via London and Gatwick.

First Capital Connect Tickets from January 2010

Adult £15
Child £2 (5 - 15 years)
Group £40
Gatwick Flyaway £75 (up to 4 people)
Gatwick Flyaway Child £2 (5 - 15 years) 

The first off peak train from Bedford station on a weekday is after 10am (using tickets brought from the Tourist Information Centre)
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.)

 

DAYSAVE TICKET REFUND POLICY (excludes Flyaway’s) issued 16 May 2009

First Capital Connect:

Daysave discounted tickets are sold on the understanding that you are committed to travel and that refunds are not available.

Please make sure all details on the ticket are correct before leaving the centre so that any mistakes can be rectified.  

Any complaints should be addressed to

FFC Customer Relations

0845 026 4700

http://www.firstcapitalconnect.co.uk/Main.php?sEvent=HomePage

customer.relations.fcc@firstgroup.com

The Bedford Tourist Information centre cannot accept responsibility for circumstances arising from non-availability of tickets.

To help you get the most out of your visit to London we offer the following:- 
Discount Whipsnade and London Zoo tickets
Original London Open Top Bus Tour Tickets
London Underground Tickets

London Underground Tickets
1 Day Off Peak Travelcard Zones 1 & 2
Adult £5.60

1 Day Off Peak Travelcard Zones 1 - 4 
Adult £6.30 (Ideal for Wembley)

1 Day Off Peak Travelcard Zones 1 - 6
Adult £7.50 (Ideal for Heathrow)
Child £2 (Zones 1 - 6)

London underground tickets are for use after 9:30am Monday to Friday and anytime Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays.

Now Available

East Midlands Off Peak Rail Tickets for Northbound Travel

In partnership with East Midland trains, Bedford Tourist Information Centre is pleased to be able to offer off peak rail tickets at 20% below walk up station fares.

Bedford to Leicester                         Adult   £20.00           Child   £10

Bedford to Sheffield                          Adult   £34                 Child   £17

Bedford to Nottingham                    Adult   £23.50            Child   £11.75

Bedford to Derby                               Adult   £23                  Child   £11.50

Bedford to East Midlands

Parkway                                              Adult   £20.80            Child   £10.40

 

Restrictions Apply

Tickets are only valid to one specific destination from the list above

Tickets are sold as a period return, the return date of travel must be within 1 calendar month and the date must be specified

These tickets are off peak, you cannot travel before 9am or between 3:30pm and 7pm

A minimum of 2 people must travel together Monday – Thursday

Tickets are non refundable and non transferable

For prices on our East Midlands train offer from the 10th January please click here

Don't Miss

Bedford Borough is a vibrant area to live in with an abundance of leisure opportunities for residents and visitors. We pride ourselves on offering a fantastic programme of cultural events throughout the year, and providing a wide range of affordable health opportunities, through our quality parks, award winning leisure centres and sports development work.