Bedfordshire is not only a wonderful county to live in, but also to visit and enjoy with all the family. Whether you are coming to the region for a short break, a work conference or are on a lay-over on your way to your final destination, there are plenty of fun things to see and do when in Bedfordshire.
Whether you want a quiet market town, a historic ruin to explore or fields to relax in, you’ll find it while you’re in Bedfordshire and as you’re just an hour out of London, why not spend the day getting to know this underrated county?
Bedfordshire is predominantly a rural county, with gently rolling countryside. You’ll find delightful views and plenty of greenery to explore and get lost in at Dunstable Downs, the Chiltern Hills, Greensand Ridge and the Forest of Marston Vale. Marston Vale is a particularly good spot for anyone wanting to treat the family to a picnic, there is nothing better than getting back to nature and then relaxing with some sandwiches and cold drinks. Because of the expansive countryside, you’ll find that there are loads of walking and cycling trails all over the county, so get your walking boots on, hire a bike and while away the hours seeking out the best views in the region.
It isn’t just fields though, Bedfordshire also boasts a number of towns and villages. In fact, the villages of Woburn and Harrold were once both named in the Sunday Times 120 best villages to live in Britain! It isn’t a surprise to see this, especially with Woburn’s glorious historical sites, including Woburn Abbey and Woburn Safari Park which both offer fantastic days out for the whole family.
The towns and villages of Bedfordshire encompass a range of interesting places to eat, drink and shop, with everything from beautiful cottages and impressive stately homes, such as Wrest Park, Woburn Abbey and Luton Hoo Mansion House, to plenty of attractions, like the famous ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, Mead Open Farm, Woburn Safari Park, The BodyFlight and more, perfect for keeping the kids (and the adults!) entertained. Whatever kind of experience you’re looking for, you’ll find it here. Towns like Luton offer great high street shopping, while Dunstable and Bedford have incredibly mixed high streets offering everything from independent stores to brand names. Mingled in among these are a diverse number of restaurants, cafes, pubs and bars covering every cuisine you can possible think of.
If that wasn’t enough to convince you, Bedfordshire is steeped in history, making it a truly fascinating place to be. The county has seen many kings and queens of England holding court and hunting in the great forests, Queen Eleanor's body was rested overnight in Dunstable (and a stone cross raised to mark the occasion) on her way back to London and Catherine of Aragon was incarcerated at Ampthill during her divorce from King Henry VIII.
The county also has strong links to Britain’s military history. During the Second World War, many of the crowned heads of Europe took refuge in the county while they were in exile. Luton was a base for the creation of tanks and Winston Churchill made some of his more famous speeches at Luton Hoo, which is now a 5* hotel – so why not book a night here and stand in the spots that the great leader once did. The aviation industry also has a connection to Bedfordshire, during the war, spy planes flew on secret missions behind enemy lines and visitors have the chance to see some at the Shuttleworth Aircraft Collection while in the county.
For the music fans, renowned bandleader Glenn Miller once broadcasted from the Corn Exchange in Bedford.
So, why not head to Bedfordshire and explore some of the great towns and villages hidden away in this wonderful county.
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