tourist attractions bedfordshire

17+ Things To Do In Bedfordshire, England

The top things to do in bedfordshire include beautiful country walks, gourmet food, safari trips and a ride on an old railway..

Many people know Bedfordshire for its wildlife, and with both Woburn and Whipsnade within the county, it’s easy to see why. Yet, there are so many other reasons to visit this pretty part of England. It’s only 30 miles from London, so really accessible for a day out of the city.

Plus, Bedfordshire is a great area to visit if you’re craving countryside. With rolling hills, magical woodlands, nature reserves, lakes and rivers, it’s the breath of fresh air you’ve been looking for.

Wildlife lovers and bird watchers will have plenty to keep them entertained. Or for those looking for a bit more buzz, head to the county town of Bedford for great restaurants, shops and a flavour of local life.

Top Things To Do In Bedfordshire

Woburn safari park.

Ready to take a walk on the wild side? Woburn Safari Park offers one of the best wildlife experiences in England. There are two sections to the park – the road safari and the foot safari. The road safari allows you to drive through huge parkland reserves, spotting animals including lions, rhinos, wolves, black bears, tigers, elephants and giraffes roaming through the countryside.

The foot safari allows you to get up close to smaller mammals and birds, which include red pandas, birds of prey, meerkats and penguins. This area is also home to sea lions, alpacas and monkeys. There are daily talks and events about the animals too. 

A trip to Woburn Safari Park is one of the best family days out in Bedfordshire. Along with spotting all sorts of creatures, kids will love hopping on board the Great Woburn Railway, swinging through the trees at Go Ape, and the various play areas on site too.

Go For A Lovely Country Walk In Bedfordshire

You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to country walks in Bedfordshire. There are plenty of gorgeous spots to choose from. One option is to park at Priory Country Park and explore the 360 acres of parkland, meadows, woodland and lakes. As well as walking areas, there are places to go fishing, plus a boating area and a café. It’s a wonderful area for birdwatching too.

Another option is to head out onto Dunstable Downs , an area of the Chiltern Hills which known for its spectacular views. There are miles of footpaths to enjoy, some weaving over the Five Knolls – the Bronze age barrow cemetery at the northern end of Dunstable Downs.  One of the most popular walks around here is the 4.5-mile circular walk from Dunstable Downs to Whipsnade.

You could take a trip to Sandy to explore the RSPB Nature Reserve which is set in 220 hectares of woodland, heath and grasslands. It’s paradise for bird watchers! 

Or for something totally different, head to Sharpenhoe . The area is known for its hills, ancient woodland and chalk quarry. It’s particularly beautiful in summer when the quarry is filled with flowers and butterflies.

The Shuttleworth Collection

If you’re fascinated by planes, trains and automobiles, head for a day out at Bedfordshire’s Shuttleworth Collection . The aeronautical and automotive museum is located at the Old Warden Aerodrome and is home to one of the best collections of vintage aircraft in the UK.

There are 6 hangars to explore, some containing aircraft over 100 years old. Along with planes, you’ll also find Edwardian cars, classic motorcycles (including a rare 1904 Aurora) and ancient bicycles including a traditional penny farthing.

A visit to the Shuttleworth Collection isn’t complete without a walk around the stunning Swiss Garden and North Park. It’s one of the most popular things to do in Bedfordshire. Here you can explore an incredible 50 acres of beautiful countryside and gardens. There’s a woodland sculpture trail, a lake and even a few resident peacocks!

One of my favourite 5* hotel experiences is right here in Bedfordshire! If you’re looking for somewhere for a special lunch, dinner, afternoon tea or overnight stay, definitely take a look at Luton Hoo.

The luxurious mansion building at Luton Hoo is set in 1000 acres of countryside, and features elegant bedrooms, chic lounge areas and a 2 AA Rosette restaurant.

If you’re looking for relaxing things to do in Bedfordshire, you could book a spa day at the hotel (I have very happy memories relaxing there!) There’s a pool, steam room, sauna and several treatment rooms. I loved exploring the landscaped gardens too. It’s a romantic spot, and when I visited a couple had just got engaged there! 

Warden Abbey Vineyard

One for any adults looking for things to do in Berkshire, how about a trip to a local vineyard? Close to the charming villages of Old Warden and Cardington, Warden Abbey Vineyard is a 4-acre vineyard run by a local social enterprise group.

There are tours of the vineyard, tastings, events throughout the year plus opportunities to get hands on and help prune the vines.

Summerfields Miniature Railways

If your kids adore trains, take them to Summerfields Miniature Railways in Haynes. Run by Bedford Model Engineering Society you can book onto a little trip on a miniature railway. There are three tracks to choose from, with the trains being pulled by steam, diesel and electric locomotives. There’s even a miniature station called Haynes End!

This is a really cute day out in Bedfordshire for families – young kids will love it!

This historic market hall sits in the charming village of Elstow, overlooking the village green. It’s timber-framed and dates back to the 15th century. Step inside and you’ll feel like you’ve turned back time, as you peruse the beautiful period furniture.

For something extra special, book onto one of Moot Hall’s Ghost Hunts. Unsurprisingly for a building of this age, there have been plenty of reports of paranormal activity over the years. On one of these special evenings you’ll be guided through every step of what to look for.

Often the team will set up infra-red cameras to detect activity and movements, before holding a debrief with the group afterwards. I’ve never attended one of the ghost hunts, but after reading all about previous sessions , I’m totally intrigued!

Explore Some Cute Towns And Villages In Bedfordshire

One of my favourite things about exploring England is discovering all sorts of adorable towns and villages along the way.

If you’re taking a trip to Bedfordshire, check out Biggleswade, Marston Moretaine and Lidlington. They’re filled with charm, with adorable cottages, village churches, greens and surrounded by picturesque countryside.

ZSL Whipsnade Zoo

If you adore animals, then this is one of the best days out in Bedfordshire for you! Set over 600 acres on the picturesque Chiltern Hills, just outside Dunstable, you’ll find the biggest zoo in the UK. ZSL Whipsnade Zoo is home to almost 3,000 creatures, including lions, tigers, cheetahs, camels, monkeys, flamingos, rhinos, zebras, penguins, elephants and reindeer.

The site is divided into sections representing Africa, Europe and Asia, plus there’s an aquarium, butterfly house and bird arena. There are a few rides for kids, including the miniature railway and safari cars. There are also daily events where you can learn more about the animals or watch them being fed by the zoo keepers.

Gourmet Dining In Bedfordshire

There are some absolutely incredible restaurants in Bedfordshire. The top-rated restaurant in the county is Paris House , located in the stunning deer park of Woburn Estate. It serves 6 and 8-course tasting menus that change with the seasons.

As mentioned earlier, Wernher Restaurant at Luton Hoo is also incredible, serving up elegant dishes in a traditional setting.

St Helena in the village of Elstow also has an excellent reputation. Dishes are of a high standard, and the ambience and gardens are lovely.

Stockwood Discovery Centre

This lovely spot near Luton fuses pretty gardens and interesting exhibitions in an interactive space that’s perfect for a family day out in Bedfordshire. The exhibitions bring the stories of local people to life, right from prehistoric times up to the present day.

A walk around the gardens is a lovely activity, especially when the flowers are in bloom. One of the most interesting spots is the exhibit of historic carriages. There’s also a play area for kids and a café on site. Keep an eye on the Stockwood Discovery Centre website for details of events. When I last looked they’d recently had storytelling and puppetry shows that would be perfect for younger kids.

There are plenty of impressive country manor houses in Bedfordshire worth visiting, and Wrest Park is one of the most popular. Located in Silsoe, the mansion is surrounded by over 90 acres of beautiful landscaped gardens, countryside and woodland areas. The most stunning route is the Long Water walk.

Meanwhile, the country house was built in the 1830s and follows the style of an 18th-century French chateau. As you wander through the impressive rooms you’ll spot historic portraits, statues and historic décor.

There’s also an opportunity to look around Thomas Archer’s pavilion which was built in the early 1700s, and used as a pleasure house to view the gardens from. One of the most impressive features is the pavilion’s Great Room, which is circular with a domed ceiling and features 3D style wall paintings.

Visit Bedford

Bedford is the historic county town, and where you’ll find some key Bedfordshire attractions. There’s the Bedfordshire Museum, John Bunyan Museum and the Cecil Higgins Art Gallery.

The town is in a picturesque location, set on the banks of the River Great Ouse and has everything you’d expect from a historic English town – 13th century church, parks, and even the remains of an ancient castle. Yep, towards the outside of the town you can see all that remains of Bedford Castle, which was constructed after the Norman Conquest.

I’d recommend walking along the old Victorian embankment and taking in the pretty views. Then stop for lunch or dinner at Indiya, one of the best Indian restaurants in Bedford, or Amici which is known for its authentic and delicious Italian food. You won’t regret it!

Mead Open Farm

If you’re looking for family days out in Bedfordshire, then a trip to Mead Open Farm is perfect! The main reason to visit is to interact with the farm animals, which include lambs, sheep goats, ponies and rabbits. There are plenty of activities for kids to get involved with, including bottle-feeding the baby lambs and grooming the ponies.

As well as animal encounters, there are indoor and outdoor adventure playgrounds, plus go-karts and crazy golf. There are also special events held throughout the year, so keep an eye on Mead Open Farm’s website for all the details of what’s going on when you’re planning to visit.

Gliding In Bedfordshire

Did you know Dunstable is home to the London Gliding Club ? If you’re an adventure lover looking for things to do in Bedfordshire, how about trying gliding? You can try it out for the day or learn to become a qualified pilot.

I didn’t know much about how gliders ‘worked’ so let me hand over to the London Gliding Club to explain! “Gliders use thermals to gain height. They then glide over vast distances, at speeds in excess of 70 miles per hour, all the while slowly descending. This ‘down hill’ glide will be towards the next thermal and the process will begin again.” Fascinating stuff, and as this is such a beautiful part of England, it would no doubt look amazing from the skies!

Herrings Green Farm Activity Centre

Herrings Green Activity Farm is home to one of the UK’s largest collections of birds of prey, with over 200 birds on display. It’s the perfect place for a family day out in Bedfordshire. There are flying shows each day where you can learn all about the impressive birds.

The farm is also home to various species of owls, ponies, alpacas, shire horses and some reptiles too. Kids will love getting up close to the creatures and learning all about them. There’s a café on site where you can stop for a snack or lunch too.

Leighton Buzzard Railway

The Leighton Buzzard Railway is a light railway which was opened in 1919 to transport sand. Since 1968 it has run passenger steam trains. These days you can take a trip along the tracks from Page’s Park to Stonehenge Works, which takes around 85 minutes.

It’s amazing to see this piece of history being lovingly looked after (mostly by volunteers too) and it’s a great option for a family day out in Bedfordshire.

I hope you’ve enjoyed reading this guide to the best things to do in Bedfordshire. There are so many more places I could have mentioned, so you won’t be short of things to do! If you’re looking for other things to do in the area, you might enjoy our guide to Buckinghamshire too. 

Leave a comment Cancel reply

Top Things to Do in Bedfordshire, England

Places to visit in bedfordshire, explore popular experiences, popular cities in bedfordshire.

Private Drivers

Top Attractions in Bedfordshire

Tours & Sightseeing

What travellers are saying

• Stockwood Discovery Centre
• Bedford Park
• Herring Green Activity Farm
• Priory Country Park
• Birds of Prey Centre
• Dunstable Downs
• The Shuttleworth Collection
• Ready Steady Roll - Board Game Cafe
• Don't Get Locked In Escape Rooms
• Skirmish Central Paintball
• TeamSport Indoor Go Karting Dunstable

Places to visit in Bedfordshire

Visit Bedfordshire for flowing rivers and countryside teeming with birdlife and flowers, wildlife parks crawling with big cats and rambling manor houses. Bedfordshire is a truly outdoorsy county. Step back in time at crumbling castle ruins and stately homes with grounds that double up as African safaris. Drive up close to zebra and giraffes. Local wildlife roams on the Chiltern Hills – spy muntjac and fallow deer and soaring kestrels. Top places to visit in Bedfordshire include Whipsnade Zoo, Woburn Abbey and Wrest Park. Don't leave this eastern county without sampling its unusual local delicacy – the Bedfordshire clanger. This dumpling stuffed with meat and sweet jam is a traditional farm-worker's snack.

6 Experience Results

View results as:

• (-) Remove Bedfordshire filter Bedfordshire
• Walking and hiking (1) Apply Walking and hiking filter
• Autumn Break Ideas (1) Apply Autumn Break Ideas filter
• Low cost (1) Apply Low cost filter
• Forests and woodlands (1) Apply Forests and woodlands filter
• Gardens and Parks (1) Apply Gardens and Parks filter
• Days Out in England (1) Apply Days Out in England filter
• Attractions (3) Apply Attractions filter
• Outdoor Activities (2) Apply Outdoor Activities filter
• Toddler Friendly Holidays (1) Apply Toddler Friendly Holidays filter
• Zoos wildlife and safari parks (2) Apply Zoos wildlife and safari parks filter
• Castles and Historic Properties (1) Apply Castles and Historic Properties filter
• Luxury and indulgence (1) Apply Luxury and indulgence filter
• Romance (1) Apply Romance filter
• Autumn (1) Apply Autumn filter
• Spring (1) Apply Spring filter
• Summer (4) Apply Summer filter

Go glamping at Lookout Lodge inside ZSL Whipsnade Zoo

Enjoy the ultimate overnight experience and camp next door to the animals of ZSL Whipsnade Zoo.

Location: Dunstable, Bedfordshire

Escape to a world of opulence at Luton Hoo Hotel, Golf & Spa

This Grade 1 listed mansion house stands proudly within magnificent grounds, and has 1,000 acres of parklands, a 50-acre Lake and a luxurious spa.

Location: Luton, Bedfordshire

Test your metal at Twinwoods Adventure

Bodyflight is Europe's most exciting adventure centre, featuring Indoor Skydiving, Surfing, Climbing, Racing and a simulated BASE jump.

Location: Bedford, Bedfordshire

Go on an exotic adventure at Woburn Safari Park

Explore the habitats of lions, zebras, giraffes and much more at this family-friendly, conservation-focused safari park.

Location: Woburn, Bedfordshire

Discover Woburn Abbey

The home of the Dukes of Bedford for nearly 400 years.

Master the Greensand Ridge Walk

Follows a ridge of greensand through on a green path through Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Cambridgeshire.

Location: Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire

Related Items

Nearby counties to visit, cambridgeshire.

Oxfordshire

Visit Oxfordshire for skylines pierced with spires and domes, rambling deer parks, gourmet retreats in manor houses, designer outlets and covered markets.

Buckinghamshire

Visit Buckinghamshire for National Trust manor houses, medieval villages, Chiltern landscapes and high octane Grand Prix racetracks. Click here to see the amazing day trips you can experience in Buckinghamshire.

We've something we want to share

Want to receive travel tips and ideas by email?

VisitEngland would like to invite you to take part in a short survey about our website, it should take no more than a couple of minutes.

Go to the survey

To add items to favourites …

… you need to be logged in.

If you already have an account, log in.

Or register a new account

Access your account

Top Things to Do in Bedfordshire

Things to do in bedfordshire, explore popular experiences, popular cities in bedfordshire.

Ways to tour Bedfordshire

Axe Throwing

Target Archery Session

Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Bedford by Operation City Quest

Operation City Quest Scavenger Hunt - Luton, UK

Cambridge and Woburn Abbey Independent Full Day Private Tour

Zombie Scavengers Game - Luton, UK

Top attractions in bedfordshire.

Private Drivers

Tours & Sightseeing

What travellers are saying.

• Stockwood Discovery Centre
• Bedford Park
• Herring Green Activity Farm
• Priory Country Park
• Birds of Prey Centre
• Dunstable Downs
• The Shuttleworth Collection
• Ready Steady Roll - Board Game Cafe
• Don't Get Locked In Escape Rooms
• Skirmish Central Paintball
• TeamSport Indoor Go Karting Dunstable

Top Things to Do in Bedfordshire

Things to do in bedfordshire, explore popular experiences, popular cities in bedfordshire.

Ways to tour Bedfordshire

Axe Throwing

Target Archery Session

Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Bedford by Operation City Quest

Operation City Quest Scavenger Hunt - Luton, UK

Cambridge and Woburn Abbey Independent Full Day Private Tour

Zombie Scavengers Game - Luton, UK

Top attractions in bedfordshire.

Tours & Sightseeing

What travellers are saying.

• Stockwood Discovery Centre
• Bedford Park
• Herring Green Activity Farm
• Priory Country Park
• Birds of Prey Centre
• Dunstable Downs
• The Shuttleworth Collection
• Ready Steady Roll - Board Game Cafe
• Don't Get Locked In Escape Rooms
• Skirmish Central Paintball
• TeamSport Indoor Go Karting Dunstable

Top Things to Do in Bedfordshire

Things to do in bedfordshire, explore popular experiences, popular cities in bedfordshire.

Private Drivers

Top Attractions in Bedfordshire

Tours & Sightseeing

What travellers are saying

• Stockwood Discovery Centre
• Bedford Park
• Herring Green Activity Farm
• Priory Country Park
• Birds of Prey Centre
• Dunstable Downs
• The Shuttleworth Collection
• Ready Steady Roll - Board Game Cafe
• Don't Get Locked In Escape Rooms
• Skirmish Central Paintball
• TeamSport Indoor Go Karting Dunstable

Home » Travel Guides » United Kingdom » England » 10 Best Places to Visit in Bedfordshire (England)

10 Best Places to Visit in Bedfordshire (England)

In the East of England but with quick connections to London, Bedfordshire is a county that isn’t often associated with tourism.

But this isn’t to say that there’s little to see either.

There are lots of gigantic and palatial country estates, and several, like Woburn Abbey and Whipsnade, have turned their grounds into award-winning wildlife attractions.

And when it comes to elegant country towns, Ampthill, Bedford, Woburn and Leighton Buzzard have the demure 18th-century architecture and traditional pubs that we all love about the English countryside.

Lets explore the best places to visit in Bedfordshire :

The village of Woburn radiates grandeur in a way that only Georgian architecture can.

These flat-fronted townhouses (many a frontage for much older properties) have upscale restaurants, antiques shops and even tailors, in case you weren’t aware you’re in a posh part of the county.

Woburn Abbey is a former monastery that became the seat of the Duke of Bedford after the Dissolution of the Monasteries in the 16th century, and remains in the family.

The art collection is very special, and has 24 Canalettos, 10 van Dycks and a trove of other priceless works.

Woburn Safari Park is also on these grounds and will definitely get a thumbs up from kids.

Bedfordshire’s county town is unusually diverse despite its modest size.

Around a third of Bedford has Italian ancestry and there’s a large Punjabi community.

Bedford also has lots visitors to sink their teeth into, most of all in the central Castle Quarter: This was where the 17th-century preacher and writer John Bunyan was imprisoned for 12 years, during which time he wrote the seminal Pilgrim’s Progress.

The Bunyan Museum is open in summer and will give you all the background.

The Higgins Bedford Museum has Saxon and Roman artefacts and watercolours by the likes of J.M.W. Turner.

And in such a cosmopolitan location the food is superb; head for Tavistock Street, which is packed with restaurants of all nationalities.

3. Leighton Buzzard

An engaging market town, Leighton Buzzard benefits from being on the Grand Union Canal, which linked Birmingham with London in the 1920s.

If you follow it south for a while you’ll step out into some of Bedfordshire’s most beautiful countryside, with hedgerows and green fields speckled with sheep.

For a dash of splendour you can’t beat Ascott House, which is in 13 square kilometres of grounds and was developed by Leopold de Rothschild in the Arts and Crafts fashion in the early-1900s.

And if you want to teach kids about country ways and let them meet farmyard animals, Mead Open Farm has range of activities like grooming ponies and bottle feeding lambs.

4. Dunstable

In the south of the county, Dunstable has a few things that distinguish it from a typical market town.

The showpiece is Dunstable Priory, a Norman wonder dating to 1132 and charged with extra significance because it was here in 1533 that Henry VIII officially divorced Catherine of Aragon, an event with huge repercussions.

More modern but no less vital is the new Grove Theatre, a wonderful venue to see touring comedians and musicians.

The countryside around the town merits some exploration as you’re in the eastern foothills of the Chiltern Range.

Not to forget Whipsnade Zoo, run by the Zoological Society of London and one of the largest wildlife conservation parks in London.

As a manufacturing town and a transport hub, Luton is never going to be a place for traditional townscapes, pubs and tea rooms.

But the town does have some top-notch family, including two free museums.

The Stockwood Discovery Centre is a mishmash of exhibits centred on the Bagshawe Gallery, which was inspired by Scandinavian folk museum and captures the trades, costume and way of life in the Luton area in the early-20th century.

The Wardown Park Museum, in a handsome “Jacobethan” mansion, dips even further into Luton’s past and recounts its time as one of England’s lace-making capitals in the 1600s.

6. Ampthill

If you had to create a model for a charming English market town, it would come out looking a lot like Ampthill.

Affluent, furnished with lots of Georgian brick architecture and with lots of diverting independent shops, you could pass an enjoyable few hours here.

Thursdays particularly because that’s the market day, and has been since Henry III decreed it in 1242. On a ridge with rousing views are the ghostly ruins of Houghton House, a Jacobean mansion from the 1600s.

It was abandoned in the 1700s after its roof collapsed, but loads of detail up to the second floor remains, including window frames, pillars and the vivid white quoins on the corners.

7. Biggleswade

A likeable market town that feels a bit more down to earth than places like Woburn, Biggleswade deserves a visit for some of its noteworthy inhabitants down the years.

One of these was Herbert Jordan, the forbear of the well-known company Jordans Cereals, whose Victorian flour mill is both a historical attraction and a sort of community centre, with gardens, a cafe and workshops.

Another was Richard Ormonde Shuttleworth a racing driver and aviator, and his fleet of early aircraft is believed to be one of the finest in the world, containing some extremely rare Edwardian flying machines, and also a variety of vintage cars and motorcycles from the first decades of the 20th century.

A very cute spot to stop by, Silsoe has a pub, a lot of pretty cottages, some minor curiosities and a landmark of immense grandeur.

If you amble around the village for a while you’ll see the 18th-century lock-up, a squat octagonal chamber where drunks would be kept until they sobered up.

The Church of St James was rebuilt in the 1820s, and chose a romantic, medieval style some time before this had become fashionable.

But the marquee attraction has to be Wrest Park, a Grade I country house with neo-renaissance architecture and absolutely glorious French-style gardens.

If you’ve caught John Bunyan fever in Bedford you could come a short way south to the village of Esltow where he was born in 1628. Since Bunyan was a pious man, the most appropriate sight would be Esltow Abbey, which has been here since the 11th century and became a parish church after the nunnery was suppressed in 1539. Bunyan was baptised here and worshipped at this church as a child.

Also check out the Moot Hall on the village green.

This lovely timber-framed building was constructed in the late-1400s as a courtroom and meeting hall for the village.

10. Shefford

Set in the remote lush countryside of central Bedfordshire is an unhurried and endearing town that neatly sums up rural England.

The main sight is Shefford Porch, a half-timbered house that has survived since the 1200s.

But the joys of this place lie mainly in its restaurants, pubs and walking paths that can be joined from the edge of the town.

There’s lovely scenery all around, irrigated by the Flit and Hit Rivers, and three golf courses within moments of the town.

10 Best Places to Visit in Bedfordshire (England):

• Leighton Buzzard
• Biggleswade

THE 10 BEST Things to Do in Bedford

Things to do in bedford.

• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Budget-friendly
• Good for Big Groups
• Good for Kids
• Good for Couples
• Hidden Gems
• Adventurous
• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Honeymoon spot
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. Edible Ornamentals

2. The Higgins Bedford

3. Panacea Museum

4. Priory Country Park

5. Birds of Prey Centre

6. PalmerSport

7. Kathy Brown's Garden

8. Bedford Park

9. Harrold-Odell Country Park

10. 306th Bombardment Group Museum

11. The Forest of Marston Vale - Forest Centre

12. Herring Green Activity Farm

13. Subtropical Swimming Paradise

14. John Bunyan Meeting House and Museum

15. Embankment Bridge

16. Russell Park

17. Saint Paul's Church

18. The Glenn Miller Museum

19. Mowsbury Park

20. Bedford’s Charter Market

21. Bedford Autodrome

22. Sharnbrook Theatre

23. The Quarry Theatre at St Luke's

24. Art Centre & Gallery

25. The Rose Bedford

26. English School of Falconry

27. Colmworth Golf Club

28. Butterfly Bridge Bedford

29. John Bunyan Statue

30. Don't Get Locked In Escape Rooms

What travellers are saying

• Bedford Park
• Herring Green Activity Farm
• Priory Country Park
• Panacea Museum
• The Higgins Bedford
• Birds of Prey Centre
• The Forest of Marston Vale - Forest Centre
• Harrold-Odell Country Park
• Ready Steady Roll - Board Game Cafe
• Canoe Trail

Top Things to Do in Bedford, Bedfordshire - Bedford Must-See Attractions

Things to do in bedford, tours in and around bedford.

Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Bedford by Operation City Quest

Shared | Alumni-Led Cambridge Uni Tour w/opt King's College Entry

Shared Guided Punting Tour of Cambridge

Shared | Cambridge Alumni-Led Walking & Punting Tour W/ Opt King's College Entry

A Guided Public Tour of Historic Cambridge

Walking Tour of Cambridge

Private Cambridge Punting Tour

Axe Throwing

Cambridge - Shared Punting Tour

Creepy Cambridge - Cambridge's Most Entertaining Ghost Walk

Top attractions in bedford.

What travellers are saying

• Bedford Park
• Herring Green Activity Farm
• Priory Country Park
• Panacea Museum
• The Higgins Bedford
• Birds of Prey Centre
• The Forest of Marston Vale - Forest Centre
• Harrold-Odell Country Park
• Ready Steady Roll - Board Game Cafe
• Canoe Trail

Universal Studios reveals more details over proposed new theme park in Bedfordshire

• Bedfordshire
• Universal Studios
• Saturday 13 April 2024 at 3:51pm

Universal Studios has begun engaging with the public over its plan to build a theme park in Bedfordshire.

T he company has purchased around 480 acres of land just south of Bedford, between the villages of Kempston, Wootton, Stewartby and Wixams.

They also have the option buy a smaller parcel of land to the southwest, taking the total proposed site to around 700 acres.

Universal Destinations & Experiences has five theme parks around the world, in America, Japan, China and Singapore.

It is now deciding if Bedfordshire could be the location for its sixth resort and its first in Europe.

Universal has suggested it will seek planning permission directly from the Government, via a special development order (SDO).

If it goes ahead, construction could take around five to six years.

A public consultation into the plans is underway, with people able to have their say until Friday 3 May.

Public engagement events are being held today in Kimberley College, Stewartby, and another will be held in Bedford College on Tuesday.

An information pack with more details about the proposal has been released to the public.

In it the firm says: "The UK is a very attractive market for a new theme park experience with its large population, creative industries, strong tourism, transportation infrastructure, and links to Europe.

"In 2023, the UK welcomed 38 million tourists, and this number is growing. These visitors are expected to spend approximately £34 billion annually, supporting a wide range of valuable employment opportunities across several sectors.

"Our parent company Comcast Corporation has a strong presence in the UK, with NBCUniversal International and Sky’s headquarters both based here."

The site includes the former Kempston Hardwick brickworks, as well as some fields to the south, none of which form part of the Green Belt.

Universal says the area is already allocated for development by the council through the proposed Local Plan.

They add that its location is convenient for fast rail links to London and London Luton Airport. It also has the flat topography that is important for a large-scale theme park resort.

The East West Rail (EWR) project also plans to deliver additional transport improvements locally, specifically improvements to the existing railway between Bletchley and Bedford.

The company added: "This project has the potential to be transformative for Bedford and deliver significant benefits for the UK economy.

"Our developments create thousands of jobs, help to drive footfall to existing local businesses, and unlock major investment into other local enterprises and infrastructure."

Universal has not commented on what rides or attractions would be at the park.

The company said: "We recognise the tremendous excitement our theme parks and developments bring, yet it is too early in the process to know the possibilities of featured attractions and experiences.

"Should we proceed with the project, we would confirm these at a later stage."

Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories? Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To Know

What do we know about Universal Studios' Bedfordshire plans?

• Published 4 days ago

Universal Destinations and Experiences has movie-related resorts in places like Hollywood in the United States, Osaka in Japan and Beijing in China. It currently has its sights on a new theme park in Bedfordshire. What do we know so far?

Late last year it emerged Universal Destinations and Experiences had bought a 480-acre (194ha) parcel of land south of Bedford with a view to building a new theme park and resort experience there.

The firm is now carrying out four weeks of public meetings before deciding whether or not to go ahead with it.

The plot includes the former Kempston Hardwick brickworks and sits near the A6 and the A421 between Stewartby to the south, Wootton to the west and Kempston to the north.

It is a tract of land that Bedford Borough Council has identified for development and Universal says it is flat enough and large enough to build a "large-scale theme park resort" on.

Stewartby is 60 miles (100km) north of London, with its own railway station and close to the M1 and Luton Airport. Universal says the plot is "well connected for travel from all parts of the UK".

If built, it would become Universal's sixth resort and its only one in Europe.

Universal says it has also acquired the option to buy another parcel of land to the south west of the main plot which, if the project moves forward, would "allow a direct link" with the A421.

What is planned?

We know very little at the moment as to what attractions and rides the resort would actually offer.

The Hollywood park offers tours of its movie studios, rides based on films such as Minions, Harry Potter and Jurassic World, and themed "lands" such as Super Nintendo World and Transformers Metrobase.

Universal itself says "it is too early in the process to know the possibilities of featured attractions and experiences" in Bedfordshire.

What we do know from the masterplan, however, is that four zones are planned - a "core zone", in which the theme park and hotel would be, a "lake zone", and two gateway zones (one to the east and one to the west).

Orlando, Beijing and... the village of Stewartby?

Residents share views on Universal theme park plan

• Film studio plans to invest millions in local roads

The actual theme park would be at the southern end of the site and would arc its way around the hotel, retail and entertainment area.

Also planned is a 4,200-space car park to accommodate the expected 35% of visitors who arrive by car.

Because of the scale of the project, any planning decision on it is expected to be made by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities rather than the local council.

Could Bedfordshire's infrastructure cope?

Theme park history expert Dr Sabrina Mittermeier says Bedford will be forever changed if it is built.

She says theme parks bring considerable economic benefits to those surrounding them - but sometimes that comes at a cost.

"In the 1990s when Euro Disney was created, the French government was very interested in bringing Disney to France in terms of jobs, tourism and development," said Dr Mittermeier, a research associate at the University of Kassel in Germany and author of A Cultural History of the Disneyland Theme Parks.

"Usually, the local population supports it for the economic reasons. But you need to build a lot of infrastructure and all that comes out of state funds. France had to put in a lot of money to pay for road and rail improvements to accommodate millions of visitors."

In its information pack, Universal says if its plans went forward it would "help facilitate" a number of upgrades including:

• The construction of Wixams railway station
• The delivery of a new station on the East West Rail line near the resort
• Dedicated, direct slip roads from the A421 to accommodate circa 85% of its road traffic
• An upgraded Manor Road, to tie in with new railway bridge being delivered by Network Rail to replace the Manor Road level crossing

If building goes ahead, Universal says up to 5,000 workers would be involved.

The firm claims about 8,000 jobs would be created in the area once the resort became operational. After two decades, it claims that number would rise to 10,000.

"This project would become one of the largest single employers in Bedford, the surrounding areas, and indeed the UK," the firm says in its information pack.

"Evidence from our other theme parks suggests that for every job supported within the theme park, it can be expected that at least 1.5 further jobs would be supported across the economy, meaning a net additional 20,000 jobs would be supported by the project at its peak."

Universal says it wants to employ "local residents first" and believes 75% of its workforce would come from Bedfordshire and Milton Keynes.

What happens next?

Universal has started a 28-day period of "public engagement".

It says it wants to know what those living in the area think of the resort idea before it makes an application for planning permission.

"Collaboration and community engagement remain at the core of how we do business around the world," the firm says in its letter to residents.

"This public engagement represents an important milestone in our feasibility work; however, it will still be some time before any decisions are made on whether or not to proceed with this project."

Public exhibitions will be held on Saturday from 11:00 until 16:00 BST at Kimberley College in Stewartby and on Tuesday from 16:30 until 20:00 at Bedford College's Modern Methods of Construction building.

Follow East of England news on Facebook , Instagram and X . Got a story? Email [email protected] or WhatsApp 0800 169 1830

Related Topics

Bedford Borough Council

• Theme parks

More on this story

• Published 5 February

• Published 21 December 2023

Could the UK be home to a new Universal theme park?

• Published 22 December 2023

Is Universal Studios coming to Bedfordshire?

Movie giant 'explores feasibility' of new theme park

• Published 19 December 2023

Related Internet Links

Universal Destinations & Experiences

Warner Bros. Studio Tour London

THE 15 BEST Things to Do in Bedford

Things to do in bedford, explore popular experiences, top attractions in bedford.

Other Top Attractions around Bedford

What travellers are saying

• Bedford Park
• Herring Green Activity Farm
• Priory Country Park
• Panacea Museum
• The Higgins Bedford
• Birds of Prey Centre
• The Forest of Marston Vale - Forest Centre
• Harrold-Odell Country Park
• Ready Steady Roll - Board Game Cafe
• Canoe Trail