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.
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.
By train
Trains run by these companies all come to Bedford Station. Please check websites for times, or use your preferred online journey planner.
Park & Ride
Elstow Park & Ride (MK42 9XF) will be running an enhanced service during the River Festival weekend. Elstow Park & Ride is located in Progress Park on the A6 - just north of the A6 junction of the A421. Pay on the bus - £3 per person, per journey.
By bike
A bike storage shelter has now opened in Bedford town centre, near Harpur Square enhancing the bike racks that are currently there.
To access the shelter, please email highways.helpdesk@bedford.gov.uk with their full name, address in Bedford Borough and phone number.
You will then receive details on how to access the unit and will need to download the ‘Okey Access’ app on your smart phone.
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.
Road closures
Please be aware of the many road closures that 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
- Newnham Avenue (south section)
Residents will need to apply for a parking pass - application form will be available here soon.
