Bedford is an important market town on the River Great Ouse. There are good views over the river from Castle Mound (all that remains of Bedford Castle). The parks and meadows beside the river are worth exploring and they make a pleasant route to Priory Country Park. The Bus Station is ½ mile from Bedford's main Rail Station and just over ¾ mile from St Johns Station. Bedford PlusBus can be used on buses within the urban area.
TI Old Town Hall, St Paul's Square. Tel. 01234 718112.
An art gallery and local museum in the former home of the Higgins family. Displays introduce the family
and Cecil Higgins' collection. Watercolour, print and decorative art collections, including works by the architect
William Burges and the artist designer Edward Bawden. Local collections tell the story of Bedford and its people.
Exhibitions programme. Café and restaurant. Admission free.
Open TWThFS 1100-1700, Sun & BH 1400-1700.
www.thehigginsbedford.org.uk
A series of tableaux, room sets, reconstructions and information points tell the story of the 17th century
author, pastor and preacher John Bunyan. Church Coffee Shop.
Open mid Feb-Nov, TWThFS 1100-1600.
www.bunyanmeeting.co.uk
The museum tells the story of the Panacea Society, a remarkable religious community formed by Mabel Barltrop in 1919.
The Victorian house 'Castleside' was part of the community's headquarters and the Gardens had great significance for the Society because
they believed they were on the site of the original Garden of Eden. Chapel. Tearoom. Picnics allowed in Gardens. Admission free.
Open Feb-Nov, ThFS 1000-1600.
www.panaceamuseum.org
The Park, established after gravel extraction finished on the site, includes two large lakes,
meadows and woodland. It is managed for wildlife as well as visitors. Wildlife garden.
Bird-watching hides. Visitor Centre with displays and trail leaflets.
Open Visitor Centre M-F 0900-1630, SSu 1100-1630. Park open at all times.
www.priorycountrypark.co.uk
Set in the ancient village of Elstow on the picturesque village green the timber-framed Moot Hall
was designed as a market house for Elstow Abbey. It now houses a collection of medieval furniture and
many items relating to the life and works of Elstow's famous author, John Bunyan.
Open Apr-Oct, Sat & BH 1300-1600.
moothall.weebly.com
Bus 44 & MK1 from Bus Station (½ mile from Bedford Rail Station)
to Elstow High Street, 12 minutes journey, M-S both routes hourly.
Bedford PlusBus tickets are valid for this journey.
44 operated by Grant Palmer,
MK1 operated by Stagecoach.
Moggerhanger Park is a Georgian house designed by architect Sir John Soane. The surrounding grounds
and woodlands were landscaped by Humphry Repton. Kitchen and walled gardens, woodland trail. Woodland playground. Tearoom.
Free admission to grounds, donations welcome. Guided tours of house.
Open Grounds Daily 1000-1600. See website to book house tour.
www.moggerhangerpark.com
Bus 72/73 from Bus Station (½ mile from Bedford Rail Station)
to Moggerhanger, The Guinea (19 minutes journey) then ½ mile walk. M-S hourly.
Operated by Grant Palmer.
An extensive English garden developed by the de Grey family and displaying over 200 years of garden history.
Follies and other architectural features. Waterside and woodland paths. Formal gardens near the mansion.
Some unfurnished but opulently decorated State Rooms in the French-style Mansion are open. Exhibition on the
history of the de Grey family and their estate. Café.
Open Apr-Oct, Daily 1000-1700. Nov-Mar, SSu (and WThF in Mar) 1000-1600.
The Mansion may be closed if an event is booked, please check the website.
www.english-heritage.org.uk
Bus MK1 from Bus Station (½ mile from Bedford Rail Station)
to Silsoe Church (about 35 minutes journey) then ½ mile walk. M-S hourly.
Operated by Stagecoach.
Buses also operate from Luton.
Wrest Park is 4 miles from Flitwick station.
