If you’re looking for somewhere different for your getaway or for a fantastic day trip destination, then head for a holiday in Bedfordshire! This is the best county for the truly outdoorsy, with flowing rivers and countryside teeming with birdlife and flowers. Step back in time at crumbling ruins and beautiful manor houses and try to spot kestrels and fallow deer, one of the few places in the south east of England where you can still see these creatures in the wild.
Where to stay
Top End Farm, Bedford
Top End Farm is set on an 11 acre site and surrounded by beautiful countryside. There is a shop, play area and skate park all on site, with 65 pitches and even 2 Glamping pods. The shower and toilet blocks are heated, with separate disabled wet room facilities that have ramp access.
Henlow Bridge Lakes, Henlow
Not only does Henlow Bridge Lakes boast 100 grass pitches and 80 hard standing pitches, their award-winning (yes, really) amenity block has underfloor heating, baby changing facilities, a disabled wet room, showers, toilets and a laundry room. On site are fishing lakes and children’s play areas.
Town Farm Camping, Leighton Buzzard
This rural and non-commercial campsite is based on a working farm that has been run by the Leach family since the 1930s. Surrounded by the breathtaking Chiltern Hills scenery, there are tent pitches, electric hook up pitches and even ready made rent-a-tents. Great facilities and a children’s play area.
Bedfordshire Days out
Best for families: Woburn Safari Park
If a real safari adventure is what you’re after, look no further than Woburn Safari Park. The park is home to a hugely diverse group of wildlife spread over two distinct sections. The road safari section consists of truly enormous parkland reserves for animal spotting from a distance, including lions, wolves, black bears, tigers, elephants and giraffes. The foot safari lets you get a closer look at a mixture of smaller animals, such as the elusive red panda, various birds of prey, sea lions, alpacas, meerkats and penguins. The knowledgeable staff hold daily information sessions to answer all your questions about every species in the park. The safari also features a Go Ape course, play areas and a very popular Great Woburn Railway service!
Best for history: Bedford
Resting along the picturesque banks of the River Great Ouse, Bedford is the archetypal county town. The old Victorian embankment offers pretty views of the surrounding landscape, as well as serving as a hub for boat hire and cruise tours. The town is host to a wide range of historical attractions, including the John Bunyan museum, ruins of Houghton House, the Cecil Higgins Art Gallery and the Bedfordshire Museum. Don’t miss Russell Park where you can enjoy local cafes and restaurants or perhaps a game of Pitch and Putt!
Best for walks: Rushmoor Country Park
Set over 400 acres of woodland, heathland and meadows, Rushmoor Country Park is filled with stunning walking, hiking and biking trails. The park is horse-friendly and the Rushmere Park to Stockgrove entrance route allows riders to take in the picturesque lakeside. There is a sculpture trail featuring works by Peter Leadbeater and Ian Freemantle for the art lovers, a telescope to view herons for birdwatchers and a treetops cafe to grab some lunch while overlooking the lake below. Each of the trails feature sculptures of species to learn about and spot while walking, including the green tiger beetle, great spotted woodpecker and damselfly.
See this
Whipsnade Tree Cathedral
Planted to resemble a traditional medieval cathedral, the Whipsnade Tree Cathedral is set in a gorgeous 9.5 acre garden. Each section of the cathedral, from the cloisters to the transepts are represented by thoughtful use of unique varieties of trees and shrubs. The whole site offers magnificent views of beautifully maintained gardens and plants — make sure not to miss the remarkable four chapel and outer cloister walk for the dew pond!
Shuttleworth Collection
For the curious, a visit to this fascinating museum of engineering is a must. The Shuttleworth Collection is held in the Old Warden Aerodrome and features one of the best selections of vintage aircraft in the UK. With 6 huge hangars, some housing aircraft over 100 years old, you’ll have plenty to explore. As well as planes, the Collection features Edwardian cars, classic motorcycles (including a rare 1904 Aurora) and even a traditional penny farthing! A visit isn’t complete without a stroll through the stunning Swiss Garden and North Park, where you can explore a woodland sculpture trail, the lake and meet the resident peacocks!
Do this
Take a Train Ride
The Leighton Buzzard Railway is one of the last remaining two-foot gauge light railways built in Britain for industrial use. Today they function as the premier steam train attractions in the UK. The Leighton Buzzard Railway features a collection of steam trains built between 1877 and 1936 and offers a leisurely 85-minute round trip from Page’s Park to Stonehenge Works Station in the north of the county.
Go on a Ghost Hunt
The 600 year old Moot Hall, set in the charming village of Elstow, has a reputation for spooky and unexplained happenings. Paranormal investigators guide you through the various techniques typically used by ‘ghost hunters’, but there is no need to be scared, as the ‘spirits’ (or whatever they might be) at Moot Hall are all harmless!
Eat this
Bedfordshire Clanger
Bedfordshire’s traditional dish, the clanger is a sort of sausage roll type snack made of suet pastry with meat at one end and jam at the other! Gunn’s Bakery (est. 1928) is the only place in the county that produces the clanger in a variety of flavours, so make sure to pay a visit and don’t miss out! Gunns Bakery has locations in Bedford, Biggleswade and Sandy.
Woburn Market
The traditional market has been trading on ‘The Pitchens’ since Woburn became a Market Town by Royal Charter in 1242. The market is open on the third Sunday every month (9am till 2pm), so make sure to check your calendar for the right date. With stalls selling pantry delights from local breads to chutney, goat’s cheese to artisan sausages, there’s something for everyone.
Drink this
Warden Abbey Vineyard
This community vineyard is a not-for-profit venture. Vines are cared for all year round by volunteers, who also help with promoting the project, historical research, vineyard tours, organising events and fundraising. You can book tours, (guided or self-guided), tasting sessions, picnics and even pruning experiences.
The Grove Lock
Located beside Lock 28 of the Grand Union Canal, this pub serves hearty food, a selection of traditional ales and offers wonderful views over the water. The canal side garden is a beautiful spot to stop and watch the boats go by.
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