The Bedford River Festival always draws huge crowds and you are advised to plan ahead and think about how to get here, where to park and how to get around the 105-acre site.
We would like visitors to consider how they travel to the event and where possible use public transport or use other sustainable modes of transport.
Walking or by bike
Why not walk or cycle to the River Festival and enjoy the journey as part of the day? Choosing to travel actively helps reduce congestion, is better for the environment, and lets you take in more of Bedford’s scenery along the way.
Our cycle lanes and routes webpage offers a range of useful resources, including walking and cycling maps that highlight the Bedford Cycle Network, rural cycle routes, and town centre walking routes. These maps make it easy to plan a safe and enjoyable route to the festival, whether you’re coming from nearby or exploring further afield.
We have secure bike storage at the Cycle Shelter on Horne Lane, to register for access please email sustainable.transport@bedford.gov.uk with full name, contact number, and address. Registered users will receive login details within seven working days, granting access through the OneKey app for a more secure and convenient experience.
By car
Visitor parking is available at the town centre car parks.
Parking is also available at Everard Meadow and Bedford International Athletics Stadium at £10 a vehicle per day (card payments only will be accepted).
Blue badge holders can park in the Everard Meadow and Athletic Stadium car park but please be aware that this is a grass field.
Additional car parking for disabled visitors will be available at Longholme Way (MK42 0BX), and in St. Mary’s Car Park (in between Borough Hall and Bedford College) Cauldwell Street (MK42 9AP). You must display your blue badge.
Park & Ride
Elstow Park & Ride (MK42 9XF) will be running an enhanced service during the River Festival weekend.
Grant Palmer will be operating a 15 minute service dropping off and collecting from Bedford town centre. Elstow Park & Ride is located in Progress Park on the A6 - just north of the A6 junction of the A421.
• £2.40 single, £4.80 return.
• Free parking.
Visit www.grantpalmer.com for more information.
By bus
Stagecoach will be running extra buses to make it easier for people to get to and from the River Festival. Please check its timetables for routes and further information.
Saturday 18 July
- • Additional 9D Services added to allow hourly service to Stevenage.
- 9 / 9A / 9B / 9D Bedford - Hitchin – Stevenage
Sunday 19 July
- 9D Services now extended to serve Hitchin and Stevenage hourly all day (between 7am and 9pm) with one extra journey at 9.30pm.
- 9 / 9A / 9B / 9D Bedford - Hitchin – Stevenage
- 1BD - 4 Additional evening journeys added to allow continuous service up until 9.30pm.
- 1 Bedford – Kempston
- 5BD - 4 Additional evening journeys added to allow continuous service up until 9.30pm
- 5 Bedford - Elm’s Farm
- 6BD - 4 Additional evening journeys added to allow continuous service up until 9.30pm
- 6 Bedford – Kempston
Download the River Festival event programme (PDF) for a discount code (page 58).
UNO Bus will be operating enhanced services throughout the Bedford River Festival weekend running regular routes between Milton Keynes, Cranfield and Bedford.
Visitors can take advantage of an Adult Day Ticket for £8.50, offering unlimited travel for the day, or the special Festival Group Ticket for just £7, which can be used by up to four people travelling together.
Saturday 18 July
- C1 Arrive: 10:56, 13:35 Return: 20:40, 21:25, 23:50, 00:20
- C11 Arrive: 10:05, 12:28 14:33 Return: 17:15, 19:45
Sunday 19 July
- C1 Arrive: 10:56, 13:16 Return: 15:30, 17:45, 20:05
- C11 Arrive: 09:55, 12:30 Return: 16:45, 18:50
By taxi or private hire
In addition to the regular taxi ranks, taxis will be able to pick up and drop off passengers at both Borough Hall (What3Words:///limbs.carry.fuzzy) and Everard Meadow Car Park (What3Words:///sides.solved.mini).
Private hire vehicles will also be permitted to use these designated locations for passenger pick-up and drop-off with a prebooked journey only.
Travel safely and easily by using licensed taxis and pre-booked private hire vehicles. Look for official licence plates and badges.
By train
Trains run by these companies all come to Bedford Station. Please check websites for times, or use your preferred online journey planner.
Road closures
Please be aware many road closures will be in place to allow the Bedford River Festival to happen – please see map below. We ask that if you are attending the event you are considerate of local residents and park in official car parks.
Resident only parking:
- Newnham Road
- Albany Road
- Waterloo Road
- Rothsay Road
- Bushmead Avenue (south of Castle Road)
- Howbury Street (south of Castle Road)
- Bower Street (south of Castle Road)
- Pembrooke Street (south of Castle Road)
- York Street (south of Castle Road)
- Denmark Street (south of Castle Road)
- Dudley Street (south of Castle Road)
- George Street (south of Castle Road)
- Shaftesbury Avenue
- Kingsley Road
- Tennyson Road
- Beresford Road
- Russell Avenue
- The Embankment
- Newnham Avenue (south section)
Residents' Parking Pass application
Only residents of the closed roads will be able to apply so please check map to see if this applies to you. Please read the following information before starting the application form. It details all of the road closure points and what documents are required.
Key information and terms and conditions:
- You must attach a copy of your V5C Vehicle Registration Certificate or valid car insurance this application form for your application to be processed.
- On Friday 17 July at 7pm the Embankment road will close between Albany Road to Bushmead Avenue. (Albany Road and Bushmead Avenue will be open up to the Embankment road).
- To access the closed roads residents must produce their completed pass and will be granted access if safe to do so. The pass will give you access through the barrier and into your properties but will not allow access onto the Embankment. You will not be able to access through the barrier without a validated pass.
Road closure points
The Embankment will be closed from the High Street along its entire length to Longholme Way from 5am on Saturday 18 July until 11.59pm on Sunday 19 July with the following affected:
- Albany Road, Rothsay Road and Bushmead Avenue, between Castle Road and the Embankment, will be closed with access for residents only (no access to the Embankment).
- Residents of Albany Road, Rothsay Avenue, Bushmead Avenue and Waterloo Road can gain access to their properties from Castle Road only. Access will only be allowed if there is a parking space available within the road closed area or for dropping off/picking up.
- Howbury, Bower, Pembroke, York, Denmark, Dudley and George Streets will be closed from Castle Road. Shaftesbury Avenue, Russell Avenue and Kingsley Road will also be closed and will be residents-only parking.
- Russell Avenue will have limited parking along part of the park side, this area will be police coned and is to assist in allowing access for residents and emergency vehicles.
- Newnham Road from its junction with St Cuthbert’s down to the Embankment will also be closed.
Apply for Residents' Parking Pass
By submitting the form you agree that you have read and accepted how we process your personal data.
Alternatively, login to / register for a Council Services account to apply for a Residents' Parking Pass (Bedford River Festival).
