Plan ahead now to make sure you have a stress-free journey to and from this year’s Bedford River Festival.
The outdoor two-day extravaganza, which takes place every other year along the River Great Ouse in the heart of Bedford, returns on the weekend of 18-19 July.
With thousands of visitors expected to be part of one of the biggest free-to-attend outdoor events in the UK, it is worth planning your trip in advance.
Bedford Borough Council is committed to promoting sustainable travel options for the Festival, so we encourage visitors to consider using public transport, cycling or walking, whenever possible.
Here are a number of transport options:
By bus
Stagecoach will be running extra buses so make it easier for people to get to and from the Bedford River Festival. The bus operator will be offering extra late services for customers on Saturday and Sunday to make it even easier. Visit www.stagecoachbus.com to find out more.
This year, Stagecoach are also offering a 25% discount off our Small Group and Large Group Day Riders on their App with discount code EARVRFESTGROUP25R46V, when booked between 15-20 July.
Park and Ride with free parking
Elstow Park & Ride (MK42 9XF or what3words: lungs.roof.crowd) will be running an enhanced service during the Festival weekend.
Bus operator Grant Palmer will be operating a 15-minute service dropping off and collecting from Bedford town centre. Tickets cost £2.40 single and £4.80 return. Visit www.grantpalmer.com for more details.
By train
If you’re looking to come to Bedford by train, Thameslink and East Midlands Railway run trains that come in to Bedford train station - please check their websites for timings.
From Bedford Station (what3words: lawn.grab.relate), the River Festival is a short walk away. Follow the signs from the train station to Borough Hall. Turn right as you leave the station on Ashburnham Road, turn left at the roundabout and then turn right at the next roundabout, as you cross the bridge you’ll see the Festival.
Due to industrial action, additional train services may be disrupted during the River Festival on the Marston Vale Line between Bletchley and Bedford. We recommend that passengers should check their journeys before travelling, by visiting https://www.londonnorthwesternrailway.co.uk/
Further details on public transport in Bedford Borough can be found at www.bedford.gov.uk/parking-roads-and-travel/public-transport.
Walk or cycle
Discover routes to walk, wheel and cycle to the River Festival at https://www.bedford.gov.uk/parking-roads-and-travel/walking-cycling-and-riding/cycle-lanes-and-routes
We also have secure bike storage at the Cycle Shelter on Horne Lane. To register for access, please email sustainable.transport@bedford.gov.uk with your full name, contact number and address. Registered users will receive log-in details and instructions on how to use within seven working days, granting access through the OneKey app.
Car parking
On Saturday, Allhallows Multi-storey Car Park (MK40 1LX or what3words: other.means.smashes) is free for the first four hours, and Queen Street Car Park (MK40 2HA or what3words: punk.doll.swift) is free for the first two hours and after 6pm. And all council-owned town centre car parks are free from 6pm and free all day on Sundays.
Visitor parking is available at the town centre car parks, and Everard Meadow and Bedford International Athletics Stadium costing £10 a vehicle per day – please note, only card payments will be accepted.
Blue Badge holders can park in the Everard Meadow car park (what3words: sides.solved.mini) and Athletics 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)
• St. Mary’s Car Park (in between Borough Hall and Bedford College or what3words: artist.inches.calculating)
• Cauldwell Street (MK42 9AP or what3words: behave.woke.audit) - a Blue Badge will be required.
For more details, go to the full River Festival programme for the Accessible Site Map.
You can find out more about parking in Bedford Borough at: www.bedford.gov.uk/parking.
By taxi or private hire
Travel safely and easily to and from the River Festival by using licensed taxis and pre-booked private hire vehicles. Look for official licence plates and badges.
Taxi firms will be able to pick up and drop off passengers at Borough Hall (what3words: limbs.carry.fuzzy) and Everard Meadow car park (what3words: sides.solved.mini), as well as using regular taxi ranks.
Private hire vehicles will also be permitted to use these designated locations for passenger pick-up and drop-off with a prebooked journey only.
Road closures
Several roads will be closed to allow for the Festival. A map of road closures is available to view in the Bedford River Festival programme.
We ask that all visitors be mindful of local residents and park in designated areas.
Tom Wootton, Mayor of Bedford Borough said; “This year, we're encouraging everyone to walk, cycle, take the bus or train, whenever possible, to get to the River Festival. This is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint, but it can also be a more relaxing and enjoyable way to start your Bedford River Festival experience.
“For those that choose to drive, there are plenty of Council-owned car parks, plus two additional car parks at Everard Meadow and Bedford International Athletics Stadium. Blue Badge holders can park there too, and additional car parking for disabled visitors will be available at Longholme Way, St. Mary’s Car Park and Cauldwell Street as well.
“I’m excited about the River Festival and can’t wait for the event to showcase the very best of Bedford Borough.”