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Bedford Attractions in, Bedford
Bedford attractions, local Bedford attractions, Bedfordshire England
The Bedford Museum houses a collection made up of some 20,000 items giving us a great insight into Bedford’s past. The various collections cover areas of interest from both domestic and working life, with plenty of military and agricultural memorabilia too. Particular areas of interest include information on the local Bedfordshire craft of lace making and a collection of fossils dating back to Jurassic times.
Religious leader and prolific author of the famous Pilgrim’s Progress, John Bunyan was born in Bedfordfordshire and so rightly the area has a museum to commemorate him and his work. Located on Mill Street you’ll find both the John Bunyan Museum and the Bunyan Meeting Free Church where he was once a minister.
A highly interesting day out can be had at the Cecil Higgins Art Gallery situated in Castle Lane. The Gallery is part of a Victorian Mansion where local man Cecil Higgins once lived. The house is laid out just how it would have looked in Victorian times, allowing visitors to feel like they are stepping back in time. In contrast, the adjoining art gallery comprises an excellent collection of artworks, from paintings and sculptures, to glassware and ceramics.
Bedford is a town that prides itself on its greenery, with a wide area devoted to open parkland. The most well known of these is Bedford Park with its lake, bandstand, tennis courts and even a cricket pitch and the much-loved Embankment area along the river Ouse. Another place worth a visit is Russell Park, where you can simply enjoy a leisurely stroll or participate in a game of football, bowls, tennis, or practice your putting skills. Further a field you’ll find the Priory Country Park and Marina, Harrold & Odell Park and the picturesque Stewartby Lake and Country Park.
Just to the south of Bedford you’ll find the delightfully attractive Elstow Moot Hall, a well preserved example of a classic 16th century timber framed building that was used as a market hall. It is also interesting to know that the building is in the village of Elstow where local man John Bunyan was born. Nowadays it operates as an informative museum conveying to its many visitors what life was like in the 17th century, as well as giving details on John Bunyan himself.
