A great place for meetings and conferences - in the centre of the country and near to major routes and transport hubs, including Luton and Stansted Airports
Bedfordshire - the ideal location for business
With suburb road and rail links and only 30 – 60 minutes from thecapital and within a two hours range of half the population of the UK you will find a county waiting to be discovered and explored.
This surprising county has junctions off both the M1 and the A1. The shire county of Bedford is one of rolling countryside,quality attractions and everything the modern conference organiser requires.
Something for Everyone
· top promotions,
· extensive publicity,
· quiet meetings,
· high-level secrecy,
· quality training,
· unique and inspirationalvenues ~
no matter what you are looking for Bedfordshire is sure to meet your needs. With an excellent range of venues, Bedfordshire is ready to welcome your board meeting for ten or product launch for a thousand!
The Barns Hotel -Bedford
Built around a 13th century Tithe Barn and 17th century Manor House,The Barns Hotel stands in three and a half acres of landscaped gardens. This magnificent building still retains the character of the original beamed and timbered buildings. The hotel comprises 48 en-suite bedrooms, including a four-poster bedroom and comfortable suites. Along with two conference suites,the impressive Tithe Barn is also available for hire. This is particularly popular with weddings as the venue holds a licence for civil wedding ceremonies.
For your enjoyment the hotel also has the Riverside Bar and Restaurant which overlook the river Great Ouse. On a fine day drinks may be enjoyed on the terrace. For further relaxation, free use of the local leisure centre, only half a mile away, is at your disposal. With excellent links to the A1 and M1 and only minutes from the A421, The Barns couldn’t be easier to locate. For More Information contact meetingsteam@foliohotels.com
The Shakespeare -Bedford
The Shakespeare Hotel, Bar and Restaurant is an independently owned hotel offering a delightful blend of style and comfort and complemented by friendly staff. It has 23 En-suite rooms.
For conferences, management and executive meetings, personal andbusiness sales presentations, The Shakespeare offers an ideal venue. “Juliet’s”is a room that can be set up in a number of styles
The bar and restaurant has been delightfully themed to celebrate oneof Shakespeare’s best works, the most famous love story of all time, “Romeo and Juliet”. Fresh new food ideas are servedin an attractive setting.
For all types of functions The Shakespeare’s location is very convenient to the main line railway station. It also enjoys access from the A6, A428, and M1 (junction 14). Car parking is normally available at the front of the hotel. For more information contact: info@shakespearehotel.com
The Bedford Swan Hotel
Built in 1794 this elegant hotel is in the centre of Bedford. The carefully designed public areas and attentive staff provide its clients with intimate surroundings and a warm, friendly atmosphere. All 110 bedrooms are en-suite with modern amenities including 24-hour room service. The River Room Restaurant offers an excellent a la carte menu and enjoys a superbposition overlooking the River Great Ouse. The hotel also boasts an indoor‘ Roman Bath’ style swimming pool and Jacuzzi. Having eight conference, training and function rooms the Bedford Swan offers a wide range of meeting & conference facilities suiting a modern seminar to a traditional boardroom style meeting, and accommodating a maximum of 250 delegates.
Such a variety in room style/size, natural light in most rooms and 100 car parking spaces on-site, make it a classic venue for conferences and training courses. For more information contact http://www.bedfordswanhotel.co.uk
Shuttleworth - Old Warden
Old Warden Park, the former home of the Shuttleworth family, was built in 1872 and is set within 500 acres of rolling parkland. Today the House with its original period reception rooms may be used for conferences and seminars, corporate entertaining or for social functions.
Shuttleworth provides a delightful country house setting, which willadd lustre to every meeting and social occasion. It offers a wide range of facilities including purpose built confidence course, lake, restaurants, accommodation and visitor attractions.
There is a range of conference rooms; syndicate rooms and a purpose-built tiered lecture theatre to seat 220 people.
Shuttleworth is an ideal choice for both business and social events such as: Conferences, Seminars, Corporate Training and Activity Days, Product Launches, Technical Events, Exhibitions, Sporting Tournaments, Summer Camps, Weddings, Dinners, Guided Tours. For more information contact: events@bedford.ac.uk
Cranfield ManagementDevelopment Centre
Cranfield Management Development Centre (CMDC) has an established reputation of being a quality meeting and conference venue. Situated in rural Bedfordshire, it is close to rail and motorway links, and within easy reach of three international airports including London- Luton which is less than 30 minutes away. Cranfield also boasts an airfield of its own. CMDC offers first-class comfort in a focussed environment and close ties with the Cranfield School of Management – a top international business school. This association provides access to extra facilities and knowledge.
The restaurants are designed to cater for small business meetings through to formal dinners with up to 180 guests catering for special dietary requirements. After a day of concentration, there is the opportunity to relax and unwind in the bar, or to tone up in the fitness centre.
Mitchall Hall - Cranfield
Cranfield University offers a choice of superb conference facilities providing exceptional value for money and high standards. Located in the beautiful countryside between Milton Keynes and Bedford, it is only 10 minutes drive from the M1 J13, with good public transport links. With a friendly ambience, the venue provides the ideal environment for meetings, training days, dinner dances and wedding receptions.
There are comfortable en-suite bedrooms, free parking, relaxing bar and lounge area and excellent in-house catering service able to meet individual needs at value for money prices.
There are extra conference facilities on the campus at the Kings Norton Library and Stafford Cripps building. The combined facilities offer anexcellent choice from lecture theatre seating up to 250 to a meeting for two. Contact mitchellhall@cranfield.ac.uk
The Holiday Inn Garden Court - Sandy
Located just off the A1 trunk road, the Holiday Inn Garden Court, A1 Sandy – Bedford is an ideal venue, whether you are travelling from the North, South, East or West. This combined with ample free parking, complete with CCTV, ensures that guests arrive and stay with ease.
The hotel has 57 comfortable and well equipped guest rooms that include modern points and satellite television, including Sky Movies and Sport.
The hotel also benefits from extensive Conference and Banqueting facilities, which can accommodate anything from a small meeting to a function for 120 delegates. The delegate packages are both comprehensive and competitive.
The hotel prides itself on its flexibility and friendliness and willmake every effort to accommodate your individual and specific requirements. Thehotel specialises in private dining, banquets, dinner dances, exhibitions, trade shows, product launches and road shows to name but a few. Contact sandy@holidayinns.co.uk
The Inn at Woburn
Set in the picturesque village of Woburn, part of The Woburn Abbey Estate, The Inn at Woburn is a seventeenth century coaching Inn, tastefully modernised and yet retaining its old world charm. Three elegant, well appointed function suites are able to cater for banquets of up to 95 guests and theatre style conferences for up to 60 delegates.
The Inn is managed by highly qualified management and staff, offering excellent cuisine and facilities of the highest of standards, whilst retaining an old world charm.
The Inn at Woburn provides 51 individually decorated bedrooms and 7 charming character cottages appointed to meet the demands of the discerning traveller. All rooms are en-suite with satellite television, radio, mini bar, direct dial telephone, modem connections, trouser press and beverage making facilities.
Olivier's Restaurant at The Inn at Woburn delivers authentic, pocket friendly fare using the freshest produce and a wine list that is educational and interesting. Opening all day, Olivier's is the perfect place for informal meetings over lunch or social gatherings with colleagues in the evening, while The Tavistock Bar serves a selection of conditioned ales in a relaxed, informal atmosphere.
The Robinson Centre -Wybosoton
Set in rural Bedfordshire, The Robinson Centre has been expertly designed to accommodate residential and day events. The conference, training and syndicate rooms, which all have natural light and air conditioning, are situated adjacent to one another, allowing clients exclusive use of a suite of rooms.
On-site AV technicians support modern equipment, including digital projection, PA system and ISDN for video conferencing together with a highly motivated and efficient team who delight customers with their high standards and flexible ‘can do’ attitude. The dining room seats 270 and there are facilities for private dining. The Centre offers exquisite and imaginative cuisine, and themed evenings and barbeques are available for those wishing for something a little different. Delegates can retire to one of the 120 comfortable double en-suite bedrooms and relax in the on-site fitness centre.
Located on the A1 and only 40 minutes from London Kings Cross and Luton Airport. Contact sales@wybostonlakes.co.uk
Wyboston Lakes
Wyboston Lakes was conceived, designed and built specifically for all types of meetings and conferences. It is located adjacent to the A1, near the market town of St. Neots, convenient for London and Birmingham with good links to road, rail and air. Wyboston Lakes offers a distraction free environment and has over 60,000sq.ft. of meeting/training space available plus 283 en-suite bedrooms.
The meeting rooms are air conditioned, naturally lit and fully equipped. The Fairways suite has fast Internet connections through high bandplus the option to video conference through ISDN; network points are fitted inall rooms. Data projectors are also available. A complete meeting package forboth 24 hour and 8-hour periods are on offer, so there are no surprises when you receive your account.
Delegates can spoil themselves on the 18-hole golf course, or by using the fully equipped Health and Fitness suite or water-sports centre. A specifically designed weekend meeting/conference product is now very popular offering a wide range of flexible options all at avery competitive price. It offers residential meetings/conferences for over 400 people in our two conference suites. All of this is on ones elf-contained site. Contact sales@wybostonlakes.co.uk
The Bedford Corn Exchange
When you choose the Bedford Corn Exchange you can be sure of a number of things. Behind the historic façade is a building capable of meeting the needs of a variety of clients, which is managed by a dedicated team of professionals who value their customers and take pride in providing a service of the highest possible standard. What you quickly realise is that instead of just one building, the venue is made up of three, all inter-linked, rooms of all sizes from a compact office to an impressive auditorium.
Maybe the most important feature of all is the flexibility afforded byt he arrangement of these rooms and the arrangements possible within them. An individual service is offered to all its customers, not just an ‘off-the-shelf’ solution
The Corn Exchange prides itself on being able to meet clients’ needs by talking to them about their requirements and then providing them with a tailor-made package. cornexchange@bedford.gov.uk
Putteridge Bury Conference Centre
Putteridge Bury has been successfully running conferences for over ten years and has built a strong reputation as one of the top venues in the area. They pride themselves on their friendly yet professional service which means their clients come back time and again.
Set in picturesque parkland, Putteridge Bury Conference Centre is the perfect venue for a wide variety of events. It is ideally located near to major routes yet enjoys a rural setting. It is easy to find and there is ample free parking. Established as a first class venue the centre is renowned for its catering and friendly, attentive staff. They have eight, well-appointed conference rooms of various sizes ranging from 2 – 120 delegate theatre style. Additional break out rooms are available on request. Some rooms are enhanced by oak-panelling and have chandeliers. Putteridge Bury is visited regularly by well-known companies such as Easyjet and Interbrew for a whole range of events including conferences, meetings, fine dining, product launches and barbecues conference.centre@beds.ac.uk
Forest Centre – Marston Moretaigne
Set in the heart of the Forest of Marston Vale,surrounded by countryside is the Forest Centre, a striking modern venture where you can focus in comfort and without distraction.
A purpose built business facility with a dedicated team to ensure your business event runs smoothly. They offer a customised service and are committed to the highest standards of food, service and quality.
Comprehensive facilities are available including ISDN links, audiovisual and computer aided presentation equipment, with stereo sound system and full blackout. A large conference room and four seminar rooms are available, all offering spectacular views of the wetland reserve and parkland beyond.
To find such an amazing habitat so centrally located with free parking for over 250 cars is unique and this combination of surroundings and easy access makes it an ideal venue for corporate events and private functions info@marstonvale.org
The Concept Centre - Millbrook
Explore the concepts. Probe the Pod. Discover the twists and turns of the tracks and journey into the mindzone. Certainly, embrace the passion. Millbrook is a designer venue. From the sweeping lines of the concept centre to the 700 acres of stunning grounds with specialist driving tracks, it’s all about making space work for groups from 4 to 400.
It’s about drama and dynamics and planning together to give your product launch, hospitality event or conference for maximum impact, maximum power. Think big or think small and certainly think out of the box.
This is designer space, purpose-built to realise your biggest event ambitions. Use concept 2 on its own, or as an extension to the concept centre, for double the capacity, double the flexibility and double the drama at your next event. Hugely flexible, this is the framework in which to create your most daring environment. Strip away the constraints of conventional venues and leave yourself free to work with new dimensions, new dynamics and new ideas.
Pod distills the drama of the concept experience to create intense events for up to 80 people. From product launches to focus groups, from hospitality to management training, Pod makes your biggest ideas work for smaller events. events@millbrook.co.uk
The Sculpture Gallery - Woburn
Set in a beautifully landscaped 3000 acre Deer Park, Woburn Abbey has been the mainresidence of the Dukes of Bedford for over 400 years. The Sculpture Gallery was built as an Orangery in 1789 by Henry Holland.
In 1802 the Temple of Liberty was added and in 1818 the Orangery was enlarged by Jeffery Wyatville to house the 6th Dukes collection of marble statuary and relief’s, after which it became known as the Sculpture Gallery. In 1968 the 13th Duke moved many of the sculptures from the Gallery, enabling it to be restored and converted to its present use, making amagnificent setting for your function. The Gallery overlooks part of the private gardens and a lake filled with carp, complete with ornamental ducks.
There are two smaller rooms adjacent to the Sculpture Gallery, the Long Harness and Lantern Rooms. Both are available for smaller events and conferences. All catering is provided in-house. The conference team are happy to provide guidance with the planning of events and can provide menus to meet your requirements.
The premises are licensed for Civil Wedding Ceremonies admissions@woburnabbey.co.uk
Woburn Safari Lodge- Woburn
Ideally located just minutes off junction 13 of the M1, The Safari Lodge at Woburn Safari Park is one of the most exciting and unusual venues in the country.
The Safari Lodge provides conference facilities for up to 350 or the room can be divided into two for smaller meetings. There is also the opportunity to make the most of the on-hand leisure facilities including the famous drive through safari.
This makes Woburn the ideal choice for corporate days out, product launches or training and team-building events. During the summer, corporate barbeques are particularly popular and include access to all safari park facilities. The Park also makes an unusual location for a wedding reception,family celebration or Christmas party. For larger corporate events marquees can be arranged. All catering is undertaken in-house catering@woburnsafari.co.uk.