Yoga and Wellbeing in the Park returns to Bedford for 2026
Organised by Bedford Borough Council and kindly sponsored by The Harpur Trust and Delomac Roofing, Bedford Park will come alive with calm, connection and community on Sunday 7 June 2026, as Yoga and Wellbeing in the Park returns for a full day of inclusive wellbeing activities from 10am to 7pm.
This free-flowing outdoor event brings together 20 different activities and local organisations, offering something for all ages, abilities and interests. Sessions are designed to be welcoming and accessible, with most activities adaptable to seated yoga, ensuring as many people as possible can take part.
Highlights of the day include dedicated SEND, women’s, and family sessions, alongside classes led by two male teachers. Participants can explore a wide range of practices such as Laughter Yoga, a Reiki group session, Cacao Ceremony, Breathwork, Qigong (similar to Tai Chi), and a deeply relaxing Sound Bath.
All sessions are delivered by experienced teachers based in Bedford Borough, celebrating and supporting local wellbeing talent while creating a relaxed, supportive atmosphere in one of the town’s most loved green spaces.
The event will also host a Wellbeing Information Desk, offering information and advice from local mental health services and charities. Attendees are encouraged to visit the desk after their yoga session to speak with the Mindful Sport team about regular weekly activity sessions focused on improving mental health and wellbeing. Information on self-help concepts and the local wellbeing service will also be available.
Now in it’s 9th year, Yoga and Wellbeing in the Park is a free, accessible celebration of movement, mindfulness and community connection – inviting everyone to pause, breathe and enjoy a day dedicated to wellbeing in the heart of Bedford.
The full list of sessions will be available here very soon.
In 2025 despite a few rain showers and some strong winds, the event saw a remarkable turnout, with 615 attendees to yoga sessions and 290 individual participants embracing the opportunity to enhance their wellbeing.
The event offered a diverse range of activities, including 16 free yoga sessions and 30 wellness chair massages. Specific sessions proved particularly popular, with the Sound Bath attracting 70 participants, Vinyasa Flow Yoga drawing 60, and Morning Rocket Yoga engaging 64. A dedicated SEND session also provided a welcoming space for 25 participants.
Feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive, echoing the sentiments from previous years. Participants praised the inclusive, family-friendly atmosphere, the high quality of instructors, and the opportunity to enjoy free outdoor activities in a community setting.
Feedback from the 2025 event
Just a brilliant day. Got to spend quality time with my mum, it was free and outside. The park was buzzing with life and activity, a really beautiful thing to see. Really showcased Bedford, so much so that my mum said ‘I can see myself living here’ (she’s Cambridgeshire). Well done.
It was great to be doing activities out in such wonderful surroundings. I enjoyed trying new things such as laughter yoga and tapping. Organisation was great. Group leaders were helpful, welcoming and knowledgeable. It was a great event.
Extremely well organised. Incredible instructors with very varied sessions. Overall a great event, feeling extremely relaxed after.
You were asking for feedback and I was wondering if I could pass on to you what I picked up from two participants? They both really enjoyed the day and were very grateful that it was all for free. We have a great Council, they said!
Bedford Junior Aquathlon March 2026 is cancelled
Bedford Junior Aquathlon which was scheduled to take place in March has been cancelled.
The event, run by Bedford Borough Council’s Sports Development team, offers children aged eight-plus the chance to run and swim through Robinson Pool and Bedford Park.
The team is currently involved with delivery of a wide range of community programmes and initiatives, as well as its key role in coordinating the Sports Island at the Bedford River Festival this summer. So they have decided not to run a Junior Aquathlon next month – but the popular event will be back, in all its glory, in October. So get practising and we will see you there!
Bedford Junior Aquathlon October 2025
Bedford Borough Council is delighted to announce the phenomenal success of the 2025 Bedford Junior Aquathlon, held on Sunday 12 October at Robinson Pool and Bedford Park. This year's event saw a record-breaking turnout of 204 participants, the highest in the Aquathlon's 19 year history!
Young athletes aged 7 to 16 (school years 3 to 11) put their swimming and running skills to the test in a fun and friendly competition. The event was designed to be inclusive, welcoming both experienced competitors and first-timers. Distances were tailored to each age group, ranging from a 66 metre swim and 600 metre run for Year 3 participants to a challenging 400 metre swim and 2.8 kilometre run for Years 10 and 11.
The Aquathlon fostered a spirit of sportsmanship and camaraderie among participants. Every participant received a medal for their accomplishment, with trophies awarded to the top three finishers in each age group (both boys and girls).
A parent whose child participated shared "This event was incredibly well-organised! The volunteers were fantastic, encouraging and supportive of all the children throughout the race. It was a fantastic experience for my child, and we can't wait to take part again next year!"
Aquathlon objectives
One of the primary objectives of the Bedford Junior Aquathlon is to promote inclusivity and encourage sports participation among youngsters of all abilities. The event warmly welcomes both novices and seasoned contenders, underscoring its inclusive values. Every participant will receive a medal, while trophies will be awarded to the top three performers in each category to reward their achievements.
Find out the full distances each age group will be required to swim and run(PDF).
Please see the video of our October 2024 Bedford Junior Aquathlon.
Aquathlon rules, running routes and pool layout
Please read the following documents, they contain important information for participants.
- Aquathlon rules (PDF)
- Pool layout for Years 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 (PDF)
- Pool layout for Years 8, 9, 10 and 11 (PDF)
- Running route (PDF)
- Over taking in pool (PDF)
- Parking map (PDF)
- Red Route video
- Blue Route video
Important dates for October 2026 Aquathlon
- Booking form available from mid September 2026.
- Deadline for booking form is Tuesday 29 September 2026 at 5pm (due to popularity this event will be capped at 200 participants. If we reach this number of bookings before the deadline we will close bookings).
- Email to be sent out to all participants Friday 2 October 2026.
- Bedford Junior Aquathlon – Sunday 11 October 2026 (Robinson Pool and Bedford Park) (1st, 2nd and 3rd presented awards on day).
- Results emailed out to all participants on Monday 12 October 2026.
Participants must book before the deadline, no entries will be accepted on the day.
Email sport@bedford.gov.uk for more information about the Bedford Junior Aquathlon.