About Bedford

Set alongside the River Great Ouse, Bedford is a historic market town with a distinctive character and a fascinating mix of heritage, culture and independent businesses.

Located in the heart of Bedfordshire, the town is surrounded by attractive countryside while remaining within easy travelling distance of London, Oxford and Cambridge.

Bedford is home to a diverse and welcoming community, creating a lively cultural scene and a great choice of independent places to eat, shop and explore. Visitors can discover everything from cafés, restaurants and food shops to bookshops, fashion retailers, galleries and other unique local businesses.

The town has long been associated with its markets and proudly continues that tradition today. A variety of markets take place throughout the month, with different traders and stallholders regularly bringing something new to the town centre.

Getting Here

Bedford is centrally positioned within Bedfordshire and is conveniently located north of London and to the south-east of the Midlands. The town centre is straightforward to reach by road, with convenient access from both the A1 and M1.

Whether you're visiting Bedford for the first time or returning to enjoy more of what the town has to offer, you'll find plenty of information to help you plan your journey.

Things To Do

Whether you're looking to fill a few hours, plan a day out or spend an entire weekend exploring, Bedford offers plenty of things to see and do.

Residents and visitors can enjoy a programme of events, activities, live shows and performances taking place throughout the year, meaning there's often something new to discover.

For information about what's happening locally, the What's On Bedford Borough hub on Silver Street is a useful starting point. The centre also provides visitor information and is home to the Bedford Corn Exchange box office.