Bedford, Bedfordshire travel information
Bedford Bedfordshire England
In Bedford, the county town of Bedfordshire, you’ll find plenty to warrant a visit. Situated along the banks of the river Ouse it has an exciting mix of new and old attractions, from the buzz of the town centre to its many picturesque parks and quiet surrounding countryside.
The town was an important base during Saxon times and its convenient location between London, Oxford and Cambridge made it an important trading post. A useful guide entitled Bedford Town Walks can be picked up free of charge from the local Tourist Office that details where all the sights of interest, such as art galleries and historical monuments, along with a little background information.
John Bunyan is indisputably Bedford’s most famous resident through the ages and is the reason many visitors come to the area. He was born in the village of Elstow in 1628, just one mile south of Bedford but he lived and worked in Bedford, joining a Nonconformist church as a preacher for which his was arrested and spent 12 years in jail. Despite this he used his time in prison to write Pilgrim’s Progress, a work that has inspired a great many people and continues to give hope.