Family Fun

Events and Festivals

The River Great Ouse is a defining feature of the area and is home to rowing clubs, a marina with 200 moorings and sailing lake. The Bedford Regatta each May is Britain's largest one-day river rowing event. Plans are afoot for a new international standard rowing lake to the south of Bedford in the Marston Vale Forest.

Every two years, the Bedford River Festival is held in the town. The event lasts for two days and regularly attracts more than 250,000 visitors. The event includes sports, funfairs and live music and is the second largest regular outdoor event in the UK after the Notting Hill Carnival.

The annual WOODWORX festival at the Forest of Marston Vale celebrates traditional country crafts. The May Day celebrations at Ickwell have been running for over 100years with traditional parades and maypole dancing. Leaving the past behind, Bodyflight in Clapham, brings us bang up to date with the annual indoor skydiving championships, which attracts some of the best international skydiving teams.

Check out the Bedford Events website for more details:

Galleries & Museums

The area has a rich heritage, which is reflected in our museums and galleries. Often termed the 'Spy Capital' of Britain, the memories of wartime special operations run through the towns and countryside. The history of flight is documented at The Shuttleworth Collection. Many of the planes are still in full working order and take to the skies for summer flying events.

The area also has a number of fully restored water mills at Stotfold and Bromham, both of which still produce flour.

In the heart of the town between the shopping area and the historic Castle Mound, lies Bedford’s Cultural Quarter. Home to the John Bunyan Museum, Bedford Museum, Cecil Higgins Art Gallery (considered one of the best outside London) and BCA Gallery, it provides residents and visitors alike, the opportunity to participate, celebrate and learn.

The town is also home to the world class Philharmonia Orchestra whose residency at the Corn Exchange began in 1994. It is also a frequent host to high profile performances from top comedy acts as well as being a popular conference venue.

Bedford is steeped in history and as a result has many cultural activities to offer. Click here to learn more about Bedford's history or visit the Castle Mound to see the Heritage Panels.

Today, Bedford is a multi-cultural town with 73 different ethnic groups comprising 13% of the population, contributing to the borough's vibrant and diverse culture.

Days Out

Bedford Cinema

Woburn Safari Park

Wild Britain (formerly Bedford Butterfly Park)

Great 2 for 1 offers

For more ideas from the Lets Go Website click here.

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