Bedford has a vibrant grassroots arts and culture scene which includes theatres, festivals, visual arts and museums.
Bedford Creative Arts commissions art that directly engages the public through collaboration with artists. Their work often happens outside of galleries and theatres and where those spaces don’t exist. You will find them popping up in community centres, in towns and in the countryside across Bedfordshire.
The Bedford Clanger is an independent monthly arts and culture magazine, featuring the best of Bedford’s theatre, live music, food, exhibitions and events. Passionate about the town’s independent retailers, the Bedford Clanger aims to raise the profile of Bedford as a cultural destination.
Bedford Radio is the local radio station for Bedford Borough, playing all the best hits from the past 40 years as well as local news, local what’s on, and coverage of local events, local businesses, local community groups, and local campaigns.
Heritage Bedford is a collaboration between Bedford’s principal heritage providers. Its aim is to raise awareness of Bedford's rich heritage and to help visitors get the most out of the time they spend in the town.
Listen to Bedford’s Urban Radio at in2beats
The John Bunyan Museum museum depicts John Bunyan's life and times, including his imprisonment in Bedford. Visitors can wander through the displays and experience life as it was in the 17th century.
The Panacea Museum tells the story of the Panacea Society – a remarkable religious community formed in Bedford in the early 20th century.
The Place Theatre has developed a reputation among audiences in Bedford and the surrounding community as one of the best places to see high-quality and cutting-edge ‘fringe’ theatre. It is also the home of Bedford’s best amateur and student theatre companies.
The Quarry Theatre, located on St Peter’s Street, in the heart of Bedford, is a performing arts facility for Bedford School and the town. St Luke’s Church has been sympathetically adapted into a venue that houses:
The Quarry Theatre is also home to Bedfringe, Bedford’s very own fringe festival.