Bedfordshire

Welcome to Bedfordshire, one of England's smallest counties

Its’ county town Bedford is just a 35 minute train journey from central London and enjoys a fine riverside setting. Bedford has many attractions for the visitor including a museum dedicated to John Bunyan, the author of The Pilgrim's Progress.

The Higgins Bedford showcases wonderful and varied collections including the Cecil Higgins Collection of fine and decorative arts, with its world-class watercolour and print collections and unique groups of work by the designers William Burges and Edward Bawden.

The Higgins Bedford explores the inspiring stories of local people and encourages a 'sense of place' for Bedford and the surrounding area.

Or why not relax by the beautiful River Ouse at the renowned 18th Century Old Swan Hotel and enjoy the finest local and seasonal ingredients at their 2 AA Rosette River Room Restaurant, or treat yourself to afternoon tea in the grounds of Woburn Abbey. Afternoon Tea was popularised in the 1840s by Duchess Anna Maria, wife to the 7th Duke of Bedford.

Wrest Park, is another fine stately home, well worth a visit which boasts glorious gardens and hosts an annual St George's Day Festival. Shuttleworth near Biggleswade is home to the Shuttleworth Collection, a unique collection of over 50 aircraft charting the history of aviation.

Or soak up the atmosphere of events such as the Carnival in Luton or the River Festival in Bedford

There is no shortage of great places to eat and drink in Bedfordshire. Spanning all styles and cuisines. Bedfordshire is also home to surely one of the most unusual dishes in England, the Bedfordshire Clanger. This unique dish is a complete meal in itself, savoury at one end and sweet at the other.

In the 19th century it was a daily staple for Bedfordshire farm workers out in the fields. The boiled suet 'pudding' has a savoury end, traditionally filled with meat with diced potatoes and vegetables, and a sweet end filled with jam or sugared fruit.