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With its diverse landscape and abundance of places to visit, you’ll find that there are plenty of things to do in Bedfordshire, whether you need something for the whole family, something for just the kids or something that suits your budget, you’ll find it in this large and eclectic county.
If you want to head to one of the many organised events that are being hosted, you can click here to see what’s on over the summer but for those of you who want a bit more control and to think outside the box, here are a few suggestions of things you can do together in the county.
Explore the great outside
Image: Dunstable Downs by Alexis Horam.
The whole county of Bedfordshire has gorgeous areas of rural beauty, with a huge area for you to explore. Some places are privately owned and have entrance fees or certain times of admittance, but others are public and you are welcome to come and go as you please. Why not grab the bikes and follow one of the cycling or walking trails that can be found all over the county or why not explore the popular areas of Dunstable Downs or the Chiltern Hills. There are also several wonderful gardens that you can while away the hours in, head to one of the stately homes such as Wrest Park or the Swiss Garden. Other options include the Forest of Marston Vale or the Greensand County Park.
Learn something
Being a hub of heritage and history, there are loads of opportunities to keep the family’s minds active while school is out for the summer. Why not visit one of the region’s many museums, most of which offer free entry, and learn more about the area? The John Bunyan Museum is always a popular choice, or Stockwood Discovery in Luton. If your family have a certain interest, that is easily catered for too, the Shuttleworth Collection houses several feats of engineering, while Woburn Abbey estates have loads going on to occupy them. There is also places like Jordans Mill where you can spend all day learning about the company before refreshing in their gardens and tea rooms.
Animal attractions
It is a fact universally acknowledged that kids love animals. Luckily, there are a number of different attractions in Bedfordshire offering the chance for you to get up close and personal to a huge range of animals, from the exotic to the domestic. The more well known are Woburn Safari Park and Whipsnade Zoo of course, but there are also a host of farm attractions offering special openings and activities throughout the summer holidays, as well as nature reserves and specialist centres that welcome families.
Get active
If your family want something bit more energetic, they might want to take a look at the many activities and organisations in the county that offer everything from gliding to paintballing to water sports. You can find a whole range of activities for all ages and abilities by looking at our Things to Do section.
Theatre
Spend the afternoon together at one of the region’s theatres and indulge in some top notch story telling. There is an active calendar of theatre productions, both professional and amateur taking place all over the summer. Check out the theatre listings in your area to see what suits you!
Do you need any more inspiration for things to do in Bedfordshire this summer? Take a look at what’s on here.
Related
The Forest Centre & Millennium Country Park is a perfect day out for the family. 18km of level, surfaced paths wind around the lakes and woodlands of the Park, with the Tower Hide and Woodland Walkway (as well as our other hides) in the Wetlands Nature Reserve giving amazing views across the Park. The Lakeside Café serves an array of meals, snacks and drinks and as the Forest Centre is open 362 days a year, there is always somewhere to stop off and refresh after a walk or bike ride, including our outdoor play area. The Park itself is accessible 24/7, 365 days a year on foot. The Forest Centre is fully wheelchair and buggy accessible, with a disabled toilet and baby changing facilities. There is a small charge for parking, which –like all
Greensand Country is an area of countryside, rich in distinctive landscapes including heathland, woodland, rivers, villages and town. It stretches from Gamlingay to Leighton Buzzard and the 40 miles of scenic landscape follows the Greensand Ridge and reaches three neighbouring counties, from Cambridgeshire in the east, across Bedfordshire to Buckinghamshire in the west.
Explore the evolution of the English garden with a stroll through three centuries of landscape design at Wrest Park. From dazzling parterres and fragrant borders, to sweeping views and woodland walks, Wrest Park is a real treat for the senses.
A delightful Regency Garden in the style of the picturesque with later Victorian additions. A romantic and tranquil experience.
The perfect family day-out. Beautiful gardens, interactive exhibitions and the largest carriage collection in Europe! And it’s free, so you could say, your carriage awaits… There’s so much to discover at Stockwood!
A unique historical collection of aircraft from a 1909 Bleriot to a 1942 Spitfire in flying condition, and cars dating from an 1898 Panhard in running order.
Woburn Abbey and Gardens Step inside Woburn Abbey and immerse yourself in nearly 500 years of history, explore 28 acres of award-winning gardens and enjoy a drive through the extensive deer park.
Step back in time Jordans Mill’s charming location on the banks of the River Ivel was first mentioned as a milling site in the Domesday Book of 1086. Centuries later, in 1893, the Jordans purchased what was then called Holme Mills to produce flour.
Woburn Safari Park offers an escape to the wild plains, jungles and savannahs of Africa without leaving the country! Teeming with amazing wildlife, your journey will take you just a windscreen width away from a huge number of endangered and exotic animals, including rhinos, elephants, lions, bears, tigers, zebra and giraffe.
