The 23 best things to do with kids in Bedford

Great for kids! Variety of pools and a couple of slides. Loads of staff ready to assist and help is needed. In addition to the various depth pool, they put up waves every so often (perhaps 30min?)- that's additional fun part. Recommend for kids of all ages

First time visiting this week. Kids loved it. Red slide was too fast for me but I can see why kids love it. Small pool was deep enough for kids to practice swimming, and to play in, loved the bubble seat. Seemed to be some parts closed off but having never been before, not sure what we were missing. Wave session is awesome but not long enough/not often enough. Like the fact it does have some deep parts unlike other pools where it’s 1m all round.

First time using this pool and really really impressed! Water nice and warm! Waves great! Not over-crowded and more to do than most other pools in the area! And totally agree with the other reviews about the life guards........ there were loads of them AND they were actually doing their job! Will definitely be making the 30 minute journey from Northampton to come here again! (and really hope the outdoor part does open in the future.....would be the icing on the cake!)

Fun place to visit, can get busy but staff are always helpful and friendly. Nice warm pool which we love! And wave machine is a big hit and lovely chips in the cafe x

Reasonable price for families, nice warm temperature so kids can play longer. Lots of staff cleaning changing rooms regularly. Reception team and cafe staff are very friendly and helpful. Lifeguards are professional and remain focused the entire time and swap posts regularly. Some floats are our for children to play with, but a few more would be good. My daughter loves coming here, shame is will be closed soon as there are so many children and families having fun here. Staff are doing a great job!

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 We have a fantastic time at Oasis Pool – it’s such a brilliant site and perfect for a fun family day out! The facilities are spotless, everything is really well maintained, and it’s super easy to get to. The pool itself is great fun for all ages, and the atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming. What really stands out to us is how friendly and helpful the staff are – they couldn’t be nicer. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a clean, accessible, and family-friendly pool!

Fantastic facility. Kids had a great time. Easy booking a time slot online. Only 4 stars as the facilties (changing rooms and toilets) could be cleaner.

The Edward Bawden exhibition is just wonderful, and there's a lot more in there than you would expect. The first displays on the history of Bedford, are looking a bit shabby but get past that and there's just so much here.

Outstanding! Welcoming team, well curated exhibitions (e.g. 🇺🇦 folk art , modern currently...) Well worth exploring every "nook & cranny" both local ,nationally important exhibits.

Fantastic museum , lots to see over several floors and multiple rooms , a nice cafe and gift shop and most important of all its free entry !!

I went to the beer festival here with my friend. We liked it once we were able to get in after a lengthy wait.

This is such a great place to learn the history about Bedford. The items here are so amazing and mind boggling, you would love it. Families and kids are welcome here. This is where you must spend your time whenever you visit Bedford.

Lovely museum with plenty of things to see. My son is home schooled and he loves to go there and see different objects from the periods that we are learning about in our History lessons. It is always calm and peaceful there and itnis absolutely free although a small donation will be appreciated.

Brilliant museum with an excellent collection. Well laid out, with clear information. In addition to galleries telling the story of Bedford and the region, there are some remarkable specialist collections. The arts & crafts and gothic revival furniture are wonderful. The Bawden gallery is a great treat too. Level access throughout. All is fresh, tidy and accessible to all. Best of all, it is FREE!

This is a very impressive small museum, packed with interesting exhibits and information. You certainly don't need to be a John Bunyan fan to enjoy it. There are only a couple of rooms but the space is well used to tell the story. Unlike pretty much every local museum we have visited recently, photography within the museum is very restricted which we feel is a great shame. With the prominence of social media in gaining traction on the visiting public, denying the right to take pictures of 99% of the exhibits seems very shortsighted, though there may of course be particular reasons for this.

I’m a fan of John Bunyan it was a dream to go see the town he lived in. His beliefs gave him his biggest inspiration, and blessings while he was in jail. That is when he had a dream to write Pilgrims Progress. God has blessed me to go see his museum in Bedford. It’s a must see if you’re a fan!

A short, sweet and very interesting tour of the life of John Bunyan, author of passages including the Pilgrims Progress. The Museum gives you information about his upbringing, all the way through to his death, with visual elements giving you an idea of what it was like throughout his life. The guide was very knowledgeable and grateful for taking an interest in John Bunyans life, highly recommended.

If you are visiting Bedford and appreciate John Bunyan, visiting the John Bunyan Musium is a must. This museum houses the best collection of information and artifacts related to Bunyan, including the metal violin he made, a replica of the jail, and much more. If you are a Bunyan enthusiast, the Bunyan Musium is well worth the travel expense. Bunyan did not have much in the way of possessions in this world, but this musium gives an excellent glimpse into his simple life. I highly recommend visiting this musium.

Excellent history of a truly remarkable book. Old and young find this a fascinating read still, centuries later. The history of Bunyan in the time of Charles I, II and Cromwell is well worth a listen too if you ask for a guide to run through it for you.

A small museum with a small exhibition. I'm not quite sure if the exposition reflects the path (pilgrimage) of John Bunyan, but it shows the features of the life of his time. The museum is located on the territory of the functioning church "Bunyan Meeting Free Church" in the left wing of the building.

A truly fascinating and inspiring museum – it beautifully captures John Bunyan’s life, faith, and enduring legacy.

A great park for children to learn to ride as is flat and has a lovely paved loop around the fields. Then there is a cafe to visit and two parks at either end. Lots of grassy area to play on and have picnics. There are tennis courts and basketball courts available (unsure if you have to pay to use). Lots of parking available. There is a car park on Foster Hill road or you can park on the road of Park Avenue.

First time at Bedford Park. Really great place for concerts. Big open space was lovely in the sun. But there is also places for shade. As with all venues price of food & drinks is expensive but quite a good selection. Saw Human League here they were brilliant.

I love this park. Relaxing walk, great coffee, plenty of playground for everyone.

What a forgotten, dirty disappointment. Bedford Park could be a wonderful community space, but instead it’s been left to rot. Everywhere you look there’s graffiti, rubbish, and filth — a clear sign that the Council simply doesn’t care. The neglect is obvious and embarrassing. The playground, once a place for kids to enjoy, now feels unsafe and unloved. It desperately needs repairs, cleaning, and some real TLC. Families deserve better than broken equipment and dirty surroundings. It’s heartbreaking to see a local park fall into such disrepair when it should be a clean, welcoming space for everyone. Until the Council steps up, Bedford Park will remain a shameful example of neglect.

Awesome venue for yet another Bedford Summer Sessions gig, keep em comin'! Excellent food choices and quality, only down side was the mega expensive drinks (£6.60 for a 330ml can of beer???). Still a damn good venue though. Lots of free local parking too after 6pm

Another great day out for the Bedford Summer Sessions, MC fly this time. Great place, great atmosphere and really good food stalls. Everybody was nice and polite, staff friendly and helpful.

Went to see Simple Minds. The Place is well organised for people to have fun and enjoy the Music 🎶

The park is easy to access off Barkers Lane across a bridge over the river and into the car parks area. One is straight on and there's another to the left after going through the Park gates. The cafe is located by the car park that is straight ahead. Toilets are behind the cafe. Wheelchair access is via a ramp. Dogs aren't allowed in the cafe but there is a large deck seating area out front where dogs are allowed. The country park has picturesque lakes, river walks woodland walks and large open grassy areas for picnics and playing with the dog. There is a large enclosed play area for the children. Fishing is available and the site does observe the close season, see the notice boards for details. There is also a sailing club for those who like to get out on the water. Birdwatchers won't miss out either because there is a lot of wildlife in the park with purpose built hides around the main lake. The main lake has a tarmac path all the way around and is good for wheelchairs etc, it's nice and level, wide too. To go all the way round is 1.3 miles and about 45 minutes. Enjoy

Decided to try this country park after coming across it on Google search. There's plenty of parking, with an overflow car park and parking was free, with no time limitations. We downloaded and printed off a map from the website before we left and decided to walk the red 4.5 mile circular route. Lovely area with lakes and rivers. We took a packed lunch with us and stopped on the way round at a bench and had our lunch. We was able to have our dog off the lead pretty much the whole time. Only in the conservation area we had to keep him on the lead. We only managed half the route as we had our 7 year old with us. We found a suitable point on the route to head back to the car. On the way back we stopped in the cafe for a slice of toffee cake and an ice cream. Our son played in the park which was very well equipped. We are already planning to go back and finish the other half of the red route.

A hidden gem in Bedford! One of the most pleasant country parks in the area. Tucked away behind an industrial estate on the east side of the town - made up of flooded brick quarries, Priory park is very picturesque, lined with mature willow trees and has a set of interesting walks and paths around the lake. The café is a treat. Good food and teas/coffees.

Such a beautiful park in the heart of Bedford! We went in for picnic and there was so many spots for us to sit around on our mat! Highly recommended for people watching and sun tanning during the hotter weather!

Great place to visit, needs more signs to help people get around because for someone like me... it ain't so obvious!!! Great activities for kids and family

Lovely clean and tidy country park. The circular walk around the main lake takes less than an hour. The path is hard stand so suitable for walking cycling pushchairs and wheelchair users. A couple of smaller lakes too, if you don't mind the mud this time of year, you may see the heron too. Free car parking too which is a plus point these days. Nice cafe on site, prices are what you expect them to be, £3 latte not that bad. Can imagine it gets very busy in the good weather.

Beautiful place to walk, run, ride, have picnics. The paths are tarmac so nice and even to use for buggies bikes and wheelchairs. Huge lake with plenty of ducks, geese, and swans to feed and a nature reserve, too. There are other lakes to walk around too and a lovely marina where you can see the boats. I'm not sure if they still actually sell boats there, though. A cafe, serving hot and cold drinks, ice cream and snacks, overlooks the lake, and its very nice too. The closing times depend on the amount of business. If its busy they stay open later. There are public loo's and plenty of parking. There is also a Beefeater on the grounds that serves a lovely Sunday roast! There is a sailing club on the lake as well. A beautiful space for all to enjoy

Lovely park and play area. Great space for the kite and motoring festival this weekend. More bins needed for the likes of this festival, especially away from the food areas.

Lovely little setting, kids really enjoyed the park and walk over the bridges, would recommend highly on a sunny day. Suitable for all ages and great for a cheap family trip.

Lovely Park! and looks great after the recent refurb. I've been coming here since I was little and always loved it. There's a park which has been sectioned got older children and infants. There is also an sensory garden nearby and a cafe called the kiosk where you can buy duck food!

Russell Park in Bedford is an absolute gem! I've spent countless relaxing hours here. The lush greenery, serene lake, and well-maintained paths make it the perfect escape from city life. It's a great spot for picnics, leisurely walks, or simply unwinding by the water. The park is always clean and beautifully landscaped. The friendly atmosphere and the occasional events held here add to its charm. Whether you're a local or just visiting, Russell Park is a must-visit. I can't recommend it enough! 🌳🌞🚣‍♀️

A pleasure to walk and enjoy a good coffee in this lovely park

Beautiful park with play area for kids, big space fir picnic or a dong walk. Really beautiful now a days because of its autumn views. Love autumn n its beautiful colours. Just before entering in park, don’t forget to enjoy the river side walk. Amazing place makes me feel soo good. Full of nature n I love nature

The Embankment is extremely beautiful. It is great for walks or photography. I enjoyed looking at the swans, ducks and gulls. You can sit and read or watch teams practice their rowing. It is very near to hotels and restaurants in Bedford. Personally, I think the best time to visit is on a Saturday when there is market. There is a homeliness with the market, the coffee vendors, you can get fresh bread, have a seat and enjoy the morning. This can be completed with a visit to the city center and it's shops.

The soft play is brilliant. Safe, sprawling and full of fun ideas. I’ve marked down a star because there was no one on reception to let us in on the cusp of our session start time. There are expensive ‘play’ machines which take the children’s attention and give you a lot of explaining about a machine that promises gift and delivers nothing , unless by a miracle you score, like a fairground swizz.

From the day of initial enquiry to our party on the hottest day of the year, I cannot fault Kids World with special mention to Becca. All communications were prompt, informative and professional. Pricing and packages were clear, reasonable and payment easy. But more importantly, the over and above efforts Becca and her team made to accommodate us were amazing. From adding an extra day so we could have an exclusive party as all the available dates had been booked, to moving around the meals and ice lollies to help us in the ridiculous heat. All these efforts were greatly appreciated and made for a fabulous party. Even the party bags went down a storm. A 5 star review from us. Thank you

We held a function today at both Kidsworld and laser world for 33 people (adults and children). Everyone had a wonderful time. The staff were lovely and very helpful. The whole process from booking to party was seamless, nothing was too much trouble. We highly recommend and we'll definitely be rebooking.

Kids World in Bedford is a really great place for children. There are lots of attractions, a huge play area with different levels of difficulty, and it’s all clean and safe — the kids were thrilled and ran around to their hearts' content. I really liked that there’s also a separate zone for younger children, so everyone can find something fun to do. The staff are very friendly and helpful, and they keep everything in order, which gives parents peace of mind. The café prices are also reasonable — you can grab a snack without spending too much. The only downside is the parking. It’s really small and poorly organised. Finding a free spot is tough, and manoeuvring during peak hours is a nightmare. It’s a shame, because the place itself is fantastic. Overall, I definitely recommend it and will visit again — just make sure to arrive a little earlier to avoid parking stress.

A very nice option for indoor playing area for kids especially during the cold months and rainy UK weather. It includes various areas for different ages. The 3 years and below years area is very convenient and everything is safe for toddlers. Parents can either sit in the seating area or l accompany their toddlers inside the toddlers area. Options for food and drinks are available to order. The prices are cheap. There are options for monthly or more membership where frequent visitors can save lots of money. For example, the cost for one day without membership is £5 for each child and £1 per each adult. If there is a 3 months membership, the child can have unlimited access for 3 months for £30 only and £1 for each adult everytime.

Thanks Kids World for making my daughter's 4th birthday so enjoyable. From start to finish, even before whilst booking, they were so helpful. Anna was our party host and looked after us very well, nothing was a problem for her and she organised things really well despite changes on the day to numbers. They made my daughter feel really special from the second she entered with a big friendly welcome, the birthday throne in the party room is a nice touch too.

Our daughter had an amazing 5th birthday party today becca was great throughout booking up to end of party all staff were friendly. We need the new vip exclusive hire party the children loved the food and party bags etc thanks so much

It’s a big park and we used to play cricket there. Ground surrounded with trees and bushes. Nice views and greenery

Beautiful well maintained park 👏 with a perfect cafe for the hungry ,nice meals.on menue to suit all . Park has lovely walks an area for peaceful family picnics too All in all a fab park for the family

Mowsbury Park is a true gem for the town spacious, green, and well maintained, offering peace the moment you step in. It’s perfect for walks, picnics, or simply escaping the noise. The pathways are clean and easy to follow, and the wide open fields are ideal for games and sports. There’s also a golf course, children’s playgrounds, and plenty of benches to sit and relax. The parking is convenient and accessible, making visits hassle free. The only suggestion would be to add more bins in certain areas to help keep it spotless. Peace, nature, and space a place worth every minute.

We always visit Mowsbury Park whether with the dog, the children or both! Plenty of things to see and do with lots of open space! The only real negative is the opening of the cafe are very poor, they were closed today on a bank holiday Monday when the park was heaving🤷🏻‍♂️ if it rains they're closed, poor weather it's closed, I get that the staff need time off as well but I'm sure others who visit would pop in for a drink and food more if it was open more🤷🏻‍♂️

A wonderful park with lots of parking available (which is free). There is a closed in children's playground, that is sandy. It is good for a range of ages. We didnt use, but there is a cafe.

Huge area of fields with a long footpath around the whole thing. Regular football training and pitches of varied sizes are marked out. Lovely area and even has a huge free car park. There are public toilets but you need a code I think

A very 70s park but still nice. Good play area, lots of open space and a lovely cafe.

Lovely location for a dog walk. Took about an hour to walk around. Reasonably priced parking and well maintained paths.

A beautiful forest trail in Marston which leads to Stewartby Lake. Suitable for walks and cycling with family and friends. Beautiful views on a good pleasant day along with a few locations to relax.

Came as part of a works event and Sat downstairs to have a coffee. I fancied a bacon sandwich but have a yeast intolerance. I explained and asked if they had any yeast alternatives and they kindly went and checked, offering me a bacon wrap. It was delicious and I was made to feel as though I wasn't being a pain. Couple of coffees later and a nice wrap I will return. Thanks

A rather futuristic and foreboding place.. but worth a visit to see the lake and the wind turbine up close. Its actually rather a beautiful view in its own way in the summer..

Great place to come with family and children. Parking is cheap and it's a spacious place with lots of things going on for families and children. Food is also decent

Myself and my family really enjoy our weekly walks around the park. You see lots of friendly people and the nice scenery:)

Takes about an hour to walk round the lake. Mostly hard surface if you stay on the path. Always something nice in the cafe. Car park accepts card/Google pay.

Just back from an epic day at the Herring Green farm. My family and I had booked my husband an eagle experience which I would highly recommend. The falconer Erin was fantastical she took time to show us so many of the eagle and some eagle owls. My husband held and flew the massive beautiful birds and really enjoyed his experience. We had young children with us and there was lots to play on and keep them amused. All staff were very welcoming and friendly We went on a Sunday and it was very quiet which was perfect for us to look around.

On the positive side -The woman that did the display was fantastic. She really knew her stuff, she answered everyone’s questions and was entertaining. - Lots of amazing beautiful birds when we walked around in cages and used in the display. - They released lot of birds at a time to music which was really good to see so many flying at the same time. On the negative side - The receptionist was rude to all 4 of us when we arrived. She was clearly annoyed she had given us 4 stickers before our 2 other friends had arrived, like we’d deceived her for some reason ! She also denied telling us to wait in the field as the display had started elsewhere. We all very negative about the place before we’d even started. - The display group was far too big. We were in a group of 28 people so when the birds were being passed around we waited for ages before we could hold the birds. Also taking part in the displays took ages to include everyone. So became very boring which was a shame because the display was good otherwise. Overall, good quality but needs to be smaller groups 1/2 the time, and better reception.

My 2nd time booking a 90 min 1 on 1 experience while visiting from the USA. I’d give them 10 stars if I could. Ask for Laura - who I’ve dubbed as Master of the Feather. Extremely knowledgeable and tailors the experience to your liking. Great deal for the price.

I booked the 3 hour falconry experience for my dad, partner and child. They said it was absolutely brilliant and completely exceeded expectations. We were worried that 3 hours was too long and that the rain would ruin the morning, but they said it was jam packed, the group was lead by Laura who was great, there were sooo many amazing birds that each member of the group got an opportunity to hold, they watched a great display and learned a lot. The rain didn't put them off at all and everyone left very happy. On a different note, my partner said the coffee in the coffee shop was the worst he had ever tasted in his life! I did have a look and opted to go into Bedford instead to have a coffee and wait for them to finish. I guess the facilities could be better but that's not what they were there for.

We had 3 hours today in Colchester at the kings arms with some of the amazing birds, it was great to be able to hold the birds and learn so much about them, the keeper was amazing and she did an amazing job, she was funny, informative and basically just lovely x thank you for a lovely afternoon getting to know your birds x Sarah & Claire x we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves

The centre has a wide range of birds of prey and a good flying exhibition. Small people can also hold an owl, which is quite special. The rest of the facilities are looking rather tired - for example there were lots of nettles growing round the kids activity area. It’s not too expensive so, on balance, a good half day out for the family.

Herons Green Falconry Centre offers a truly unique and memorable experience. The setting is beautiful, and the birds of prey are simply stunning. The staff were warm, knowledgeable, and passionate, making sure everyone felt involved and well looked after. Being up close with these magnificent birds was incredible, and the hands-on experiences made the day even more special. Highly recommended for anyone seeking an exciting and educational day with nature!

I highly recommend this park for a day out with the family. It's a wonderful spot for a leisurely walk, with paved paths that loop around a scenic lake. A big plus is the beautiful on-site café, which offers both indoor seating and a spacious outdoor terrace. Best of all, the terrace overlooks a children's playground, so parents can relax and enjoy a coffee while the kids play.

We have been here twice now. It's a beautiful place. It's an hour away from where we live but worth the travel. Plenty of toilets, one in cafe and one outside. Good open space and walking. Good facilities. Cafe, table and chairs and a playground for children. Only thing I'll say is to put signs up at the cafe and the on the tables to say no smoking. Unfortunately we had to move twice with our young child from our table and leave the playground due to a gentleman smoking when we were eating and the smoke was also travelling in the playground where the children were playing. Hopefully this was an isolated incident but signs may help chain smokers be more aware around others, especially children.

We used the marston vale forest centre for our wedding venue. It was the perfect setting with lovely rooms for the ceremony, brilliant views and perfect areas for photographs. Helen (manager) was excellent, she made the whole experience a perfect dream and took loads of pressure off of us by managinging the whole day from DJ’s to food, seating the guests, and sorting the little things like table decorations. We obviously had some things to do, but was prompted at the things we needed which was a massive help. Helen made the day run like clockwork and we are so grateful we chose this venue and had Helen to guide us along this journey. We looked at some lovely Manor House’s as venues, which also come with hefty prices. The forest centre was so much more competitive in pricing and at a dream of a venue. We would really recommend this this to anyone who asked about getting married, and if you have Helen and her wonderful team to steer you day you will have the bestest day like we did. Thank you Helen and the team Regards. Barry and Stef

Good small play area. Plenty of tables for picnicing. Well stocked Cafe. Big queues for coffee. You can pay for ice creams at reception, good job otherwise they’d melt before you get to the tills. They’ve got bike hire there, so will be good back to do that. You have to pay for the car park, but not overpriced.

This place is such a wonderful spot to explore, whether you're with kids or just enjoying some time to yourself! The café is amazing, offering a tasty variety of food and drinks that you won’t want to miss. I’m excited to keep coming back for more events with my daughter! I wholeheartedly recommend it to everyone!

Visited yesterday with our two rescue dogs, it was a hot day so we took them into the cafe and had lunch. The staff were absolutely fantastic. Everything was clean, the food was delicious and great portions. There were 4 of us, two had toasted sandwiches and 2 had jacket potatoes. Absolutely delicious meal, a lovely coffee. I definitely recommend it for a meet up. Far too hot outside for us to enjoy everything outside, but we've decided we'll visit again after the heatwave!

Beautiful country park, great for walks and exercise. Came during the weekly parkrun. Parking is reasonably priced but no option for 2 hours. Found the cafe to be okay, decent quality food but a bit overpriced for portion sizes. Does have good outdoor seating at the back.

Lovely park for a slow walk around. Not too long and plenty of benches for those that need to rest often. Wonderful views over the central lake. Would be 5 stars but unfortunately we have found the cafe to be quite overpriced.

Lovely circular walk which takes around 45 minutes, with a play park, skate park, and exercise park. Benches dotted around. We didn't eat or drink from the cafe but this is wheelchair accessible. A lovely place to take a walk around the lake. Harrold village is also a lovely place to go for a walk. It's a riverside village, you will find a chip shop, Indian and a coop in the. A old lock up still stands in the village.

Decent car park. Voluntary donations go in a secure box. The old cafe has been replaced a while ago. It is nowhere near as good. I wouldn't bother now. The public toilets are in a slightly sorry order... when they're open. Annoyingly, not often enough. Walking is good though flat. Views are lovely most of the time. There is a large lake a smaller one and a river. There is a ton of goose/waterfowl and cattle poop to navigate through in some areas. There is a sport/ training spot frequently ruined by screaming, out of control children. Some circular dog walking paths, and waste bins strategically located. A couple of well-placed benches with lovely views, in honour of certain locals who passed away. There can be evenings with huge clouds of midges, usually warmer times, but they're usually not a problem. Wildlife is happy there and the rangers look after the area rather well. It can and has flooded dramatically in the area, but work to deal with that is underway and in some areas, completed too. It's close to Olney, a small village with further pubs, restaurants and more hairdressers than anyone could need. A couple of reasonable pubs nearby.

The country park is easy to access with plenty of car parking spaces. There are a few disabled spaces on the left as you enter. Facilities include a dog friendly cafe, enclosed children's adventure playground, an outdoor gym and a bike course. There are also public loos. There are lovely lakeside walks, river walks and woodland walks with bench seats along the way. The paths are all gravel or grass but are mostly flat, however a wheelchair might be difficult to manoeuvre in some places.

Such a lovely park 😍 It was our first visit today, and I was blown away how lovely it was. Loads of ducks, which you can get feed for, a lovely walk round the lake with bird hides and sculptures, and a cafe. It was a lovely place to spend a couple of hours 🌞

Some good parking space. £1 voluntary donation. The cafe (open to 4ish) provided hot and cold refreshments and were friendly. Sauntered around the lake and took about 50 mins. Looks like lots of spaces for picnics near the cafe and a playground and toilets.

Another fabulous country park to go for a walk around. There are 2 lakes that combine for a nice hour or so walk, depending how strenuous you want it to be. Grebe Lake takes around 45 minutes at a steady pace. Plenty of paths off into the nature reserve and a walk along the Ouse. Great for all exercise and dog walks. Very well kept and clean, although a few bins would be useful if you stop for a picnic etc. Kids play areas and outside gym too so caters for all. Cafe doing various tea and coffee along with food, staff very pleasant. Toilets very clean too, another plus point. Small honesty box for car park, suggest donation of £1, can't beat that.

A beautiful serene setting next to the river with green grass and trees. Lovely seating areas and very dog friendly. The food is a bit pricey and when it is busy you can expect to wait in a queue to order and also for the food to arrive, which is not a problem when you have that beautiful view and don’t have anywhere else to go. We felt it was a bit under staffed and that the staff that were there were a bit under pressure. Still a lovely little spot to go and have a bite to eat.

Loved the atmosphere with the live band creating a great vibe. The set menu of pizzas and hotdogs is simple but spot on! The pizzas, in particular, were fantastic. Perfect spot for a relaxed Friday night with family by the riverside. Great food, excellent service, and an overall wonderful experience.

Free parking. No cycles allowed. No picnics. No brought food or drink. Dogs allowed. A few areas to eat, one of which is dog friendly. There's a terrace. There are plenty of outside benches but signs saying food is not served to benches. Outside bar. Boat hire available at £45 per hour, plus deposit. Walkways to walk run or cycle just next to the camp. The food was nice, but the staff have said NO SUNDAY LUNCHES until next year, despite this still being the case in the website. My chicken was quite dry, so luckily, the coleslaw covered this. The cutlery, table, and floor were very dirty, with cobwebs hanging from the ceiling. We had to clean our own table with hand sanitiser and a napkin. The log cabin could generally do with a deep clean. Card payment only. Generally ok, but with room for improvement.

Lovely place more suited to the summer as seating inside was full and the big section was closed. Outside bar was open but unattended. Great atmosphere. Slow service for drinks. Great for the kids too with a bit of a bird sanctuary and lovely location on the river. I belive there's also boat river trips in the summer.

This is such a lovely place by the river. They do food and drinks and have great views along the river and you can also hire bikes and boats at different times. I visited this place over many years and the only issue I ever have is the time they take to serve and to put food out. If you're in a hurry, maybe give it a miss, but if you've got a lazy afternoon planned, this place is ideal.

love the place and the river there is stunning! kayak/paddleboard friendly. can even rent a little motorboat to explore!

Lovely place for breakfast, I had the vegan wedge. I would highly recommend

Excellent Sunday roast (Topside of Beef - 3 thick slices) with trimmings. Well cooked and tasty or not overcooked as in some venues. For me, the portions were just right but for others may want more potatoes and vegetables! Beer, Adnams, well kept as I would expect from Ghost Ship! Certainly call again!

Really great sunday lunch at the White Horse. The roast beef was amazing! In a lot of places it will be tough and/or overcooked. Here it was fabulously medium rare and had great texture. The staff were friendly and helpful. They made us and our two dogs feel very welcome. The chef even came and gave the dogs some scraps of beef as a treat. We'll definitely be back here for sunday lunch again.

We meet, as a group of between 4 and 7 every Thursday. We have been, made to feel welcome. I believe Aimee, a member of staff, to be one of most welcoming and efficent bar worker I have seen for years. It's hard to say much about the atmosphere as we tend to bring our own. I haven't eaten at the pub.

Lovely food. Would have been 5 stars for atmosphere if music had been quieter when sat down and if we didn't have to keep asking for it to be turned down, but after it was, the atmosphere was great (5 stars). We were particularly impressed with Jasmine, our waitress. Such a sweet, caring lady, she was very attentive to us and couldn't be more helpful! Nothing was too much trouble tor her, and she was very friendly, patient and cheerful and kept checking everything was ok. It made our visit very pleasurable and wanting to come back again.

Lovely evening here to celebrate a birthday. There was a wait for the food but it was delicious when it arrived. Aimee our waitress was excellent! She didn’t seem to stop all evening and did it with a smile.

Visited as part of a large group for a Sunday roast. Food was good. Our server Ruby was friendly and attentive. Had a lovely time

Food was...well bloody amazing, the homemade steak pie (missed that word pie out 1st, because of course steak on its own is meat. Lol) was absolutely stuffed with meat, never had so much in a pie before. The fish was beautifully cooked with quite literally melt in your mouth homemade batter. Was on a Monday so was relatively quiet, but very relaxed atmosphere no harassment every 3 mins like in some places. So in all I would go back again. I suggest you go .

Was served by a wonderful lady called Sarah behind the bar. She was very attentive, polite and customer focused. I will definitely be going back. Thanks for the cocktail recommendation Sarah.

Came for food on Sunday. Food was excellent! Had a mixture of different plates and all we're lovely, fresh and piping hot. Service was brilliant, all staff were welcoming and friendly.

Came in on Sunday for the first day of Sunday Roasts!!! Place was heaving. Food was spot on. Loads of meat on the plate. Kindly reused the cauliflower cheese. Whole family thoroughly enjoyed the food. Service was prompt aswell. Highly reccomend and you'd be best off booking. Looking forward to the growing menu. Keep doing what your doing!!!

What can I say I was served fast made to feel welcome and had an amazing time watching England, it’s all thanks to Sarah top barmaid and top lass credit where it’s due she deserves it.

Sarah He's a very nice person. He takes great care of serving.

Thank you Jess for great service, drinks always ready at the bar :-)

Patty offered great service and is a very friendly girl to talk to and ther is amazing food and great atmosphere

We played here weekly with no issues until recently. Overall, decent facilities for badminton... When you can get booked in... We booked badminton online which was then cancelled days later because there was a boxing event. Why allow customers to book when you know there is an event on? And then you offer a credit instead of a refund. Effectively taking customers money when you know the courts aren't available. Unacceptable. We then booked for another time only to be told 20 minutes before our booking that it was cancelled. The manager informed us that it was cancelled as another group had a block booking. Why is your system allowing multiple people to book onto the same slot? The manager was apologetic and offered a refund. However, as this unfortunately keeps on happening we will not be returning to a Better leisure centre for the foreseeable future.

Since the takeover by "Better" it's not better but worse. I volunteered for this year's Bedford Games Expo, and 2 hours before the hall was booked for 6pm over a year ago, they called and said we can't go in until 7:30pm. Then until 8:20 pm we had to stand around waiting for their staff to move a wall and wait for the table tennis and another class to finish. Really badly run and very poorly managed, you need to do much better next year!!

9 times out of 10 the experience is very good. The sport hall itself is very nice, the staff are friendly, and it doesn't feel like its rundown or decrepit at all. I do think the price to hire out the hall for an hour is a little steep, but thats on Better, not on the stadium itself. There was one time a couple of years ago where our badminton booking mysteriously got overridden resulting in us losing our slot and us not knowing until we got to the stadium, but every time since then has been fine.

We got dragged, kicking and screaming, to the track play day at Bedford athletic stadium. 4 different sizes of trains to play with, including ride ons, hot wheels tracks, a bouncy castle, optional face painting and snack bar. It is wild!! Great fun, loads for us dads to help the kids with. I'm not sure when the next one is, but if you and the kids love trains, get booking!

Went to this for an event, car parking is limited but otherwise it was nice. The staff seem great and seemed great for sports

Useless! Booked the track, travelled 30 mins then to be told I couldn’t use it

A lovely athletic track. Good facilities. Very accessible.

Decent, it’s good a good range of shops. I mainly enjoy the harper basement as it has places to sit and a public bathroom, even a spot to fill up your water bottle. The harper centre is great for whatever you need, there’s food places, clothing shops, and even a florist. My only problem is the extremely early closing time but that’s just Bedford in general, town kind of dies after 6pm.

Central location and with good car parking, although this does get full at peak times very quickly. Small centre with a number of decent stores, the highlights are the independent shops. The Italian supermarket near the main roadside entrance and Asian supermarket are particularly good.

A vibrant shopping center located in the heart of Bedford. Clothes, pharmacy, personal care product, thrift stores, kids' stuff, there is something for everyone. My personal favourite is the Italian produce store selling cheese, tomato sauce and different types of pasta. It's fun to take a stroll and spend some time shopping here.

Welcome to Bedford. Today it was their. makert Day. Had a nice day out. Saw some cool pumpkins 😎. Market was busy. Had a look in the mall. Had a good fry up in one of the cafés.

A rather small shopping centre that, I can imagine, used to offered loads more. Very clean, and well maintained, with a massive potential to offer more...

Only used this as a walkthrough. So took in the sights of Bedford. Some tidy areas, some not, but it does look like they are regenerating the town centre. It should look great once completed and all the scaffolding and footpaths/roads are restored.

Grew up with this shopping centre and it has changed so much over the years. Not for the better or the worse.

We often go most summer hols... it is a great place to be able to spend all day, if desired Range of activities to meet different ages and abilities. Could do with a couple more benches, or existing benches could be repaired. There is an activity park for play... but also pathways to walk around the green of the park to get in those steps. Shops nearby to grabs drinks and refreshments. Not enough bins though. Not enough public toilet access. Overall reccommended 👍🏾

Nice and big and spaces. Good for kids and children. There's a huge field surrounding the park, with football posts on one side. -Lots of playground attractions to go on. Wish it had more shade. This place hasn't changed in years. -Fix the zipline. On of the best things there. It's been broken for years.

I've lived in Kempston for nearly 6 years, and I always come for a walk around Addison Howard Park when I need to clear my head. I love it here, it just feels like home 🏞🌳

Addison Howard Park has a great soft play area for kids, and the park is always well looked after. There is currently some landscaping going on which will only add to the quality of this park.

Lovely park to walk in, has a tennis court near the back, a football field section, a toilet, and a play area for children.

Great visit. Large changing rooms. Clean and tidy which was nice. Always busy but the staff are nice. I think this is the best centre personally.

Me and my partner come in most Sundays and Mondays for a game of badminton. Although the flight attendant looking receptionist is moody and a bit rude, we don’t let this ruin our exercise. The courts are big with space and room for everyone! It seems to have so much more- gym, soft play, cooking classes, squash rooms, sensory rooms and more! Every time we finish a session we replenish our calories with cake and coffee which is served by the lovely Imogen, Leah and Shayne (with a y) I think we have tried every cake and each are lovely. Wish parking was a bit better but everyone and everything is amazing!

On 20/7/2025, me and my badminton partner were in the middle of a game, with the score being 19-19 level in a really intense game the assistant manager (Onana) came onto the side of the court saying the session is over with still 2 minutes to go. I really didnt appreciate this annd the basketball boards were coming down right next to my partner's head if I had played a shot and he were to stretch he would definitely hit it causing an injury. They don't allow us to play before our start times, so why are we being told to stop playing before our finishing time. This is very unprofessional and very rude.. The receptionist Mena was very helpful after I spoke with her.

I was having trouble using my card to tap in. I went to reception and spoke to Meena and she was very polite and helpfull. She got me set up and was very nice. Will be visiting again soon.

Absolutely love John Buyan Sport Centre! Every single team member here is incredible – so kind, helpful, and truly passionate about what they do. I come on a regular base and I see no changes in their attitude they always the same. Amy, the manager, leads with heart and makes sure everything runs smoothly. You can tell she really cares about both the team and the members. Ashley, the sport coordinator, is so organised, friendly, and always ready to help. She goes over and beyond to helps and looks out for you Donna, the gym instructor, is full of energy and always so supportive. Her workouts are great, and she knows how to keep everyone motivated. Owen gym instructor One of a kind he is so amazing! Meena at reception is the first friendly face you see – always welcoming, kind, and super helpful with any questions or bookings. Honestly, the whole team at John Buyan Sport Centre is just amazing. They create such a positive, supportive environment – it’s a pleasure coming here. Thank you all for being so fantastic! 👏👏👏 Everyone is amazing they supportive with everyone take extra care of people who unabled they look out for them more to ensure they are okay and not stuggling

Went to the National Brick Event and had a good time, they also have a soft play and a gym on site and hold all kinds of events like roller skating and basketball in their hall

I visited centre 3 weeks ago got serverd by Meena on reception she has so much knowledge and always very Helpful will see u soon meena top girl.

Just returned from the most amazing trip to Algonquin National Park in Canada. Wow - what an experience! We had some experience in kayaking but new to Canadian canoes and wilderness camping. The instructors were the best bunch of people you could wish to spend 8 days in the wilderness with! They were so friendly, inspired confidence and were generous with their knowledge and all of this done without sacrificing safety or fun. We highly recommend the Canoe Trail team for any canoeing or kayaking fun.

My wife and I recently did the 3 day Jurassic Coast expedition. We throughly enjoyed it. Importantly my wife did as she is new to kayaking so now we can look forward to the nrxt one. The trip support person, Nathanial was a very support, both on the water and back at the campsite. Would go again.

Canoe trail offer a truely memorable experience. We chose the half day Kempston to Bedford with paddle boards, a kayak and a canoe for the whole family. After a short safety talk we were ready and set for the day. It was so much fun we didn’t want the day to end. The river is beautiful, clean and it was easy paddling. We swam, paddled and frolicked our way to Bedford and back. Best day ever. They were helpful, the boats were clean and the booking process easy. For making memories, fun on the river and being together as a family, it was simply the best. Thank you Canoe Trail!

I joined Canoe Trails on their Yukon expedition this June as a Woodland Ways customer, and it was honestly one of the greatest experiences of my life. Ash and Rich were outstanding leaders, professional, approachable, and so dedicated to making sure we all had the best possible adventure. The group was managed brilliantly, our safety was always a priority, and the teaching and guidance were delivered with real care and patience. Both Ash and Rich were fantastic at managing group energy knowing when to encourage us to push a little further, but also respecting people’s boundaries and supporting us when we needed it. That balance made a huge difference to the whole experience. A special mention has to go to the food. Ash’s camp cooking was incredible and kept us fuelled and happy throughout the journey. What really stood out was the ethos of the company. Spending time with Canoe Trails gave me a deeper appreciation of the work they do, not just on expeditions but also through projects like Planet Patrol. It’s clear they care deeply about both their students and the environment, and they put a huge amount of effort into everything they do. Their passion really shines through, and it was inspiring to see. I came away not just with skills and confidence on the river, but with unforgettable memories and a real respect for the values this company holds. Canoe Trails are a phenomenal organisation, and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them to anyone looking for a true once-in-a-lifetime expedition.

Arranged a 2 day Kayak + camp from their Bedford site. Really enjoyed it. The river was a nice paddle and around 10km each day. The campsite was basic but really a great experience that felt like wild camping but didn't need us to travel to remote parts of Scotland! Despite a race event which caused issues with pickup at the end their team was accommodating and really helpful. Would strongly recommend going with them as they are a friendly company.

Just returned from a 5-day canoe expedition with Canoe Trail on the River Spey in Scotland. As novices, we didn’t know what to expect, but we were really impressed! The team are fantastic — skilled, friendly, and strike the perfect balance between guiding you and letting you feel like it’s your own adventure. With breakfast, dinner, all canoeing gear, and expert guidance provided, it’s really accessible even for beginners. We ran rapids, camped under the stars, and even paddled with seals on the last day. Highly recommend this trip and this company to anyone looking for a unique and adventurous holiday!

Dan and Nathan were super friendly and helpful. What a joyous super chill way to spend a Sunday morning. 10/5

We held our son's party here. Becca and her team were brilliant through from booking experience to the party itself. Our son and his friends had a fantastic time. Would definitely recommend.

This was great fun. We had our son's 7th birthday here. Ben, our host, was lovely. It was great value for money and the kids had a blast

My son had a brilliant birthday party here, Becca was so helpful, answering my questions really quickly on email before the party and everything was so easy when we were there. The kids had the best time, thank you so much

A lot of fun with children!! Definitely go back there again!

My daughter had her 10th birthday party. Customer service very good. Becca the manager and her team were excellent with the children. Thomas was our party host and nothing was too much for him. He was patient with the children . The children had so much fun. We had a party room to ourselves. Food was good.

My son bruissed his face during games and other kids bumped into his face with the laser guns. Due to the inside lights, his face didn’t look so bad, but when I arrived home it got worst.

A really good alternative to paintball, a great family day out. Fun for adults and kids. They also give you a free drink which is nice.

I would love to review the facilities however they cancelled our booking 24 hours before we were due to attend. They said we could come back in 7/8 months time to re-do it. I asked for a refund they refusing stating they don't offer refunds.

Fabulous team building experience. Well organised and our leaders, Callum and Ash were brilliant. . . Positive, encouraging and friendly. A definite recommend!

Very confusing you can book online.but Google says not open. so you ask someone that works there and he says they are closed today but if you ring his boss you can maybe sort it for today or maybe tomorrow or a few days.so I'm just going to take my money else were what a waste of my time

Called several times over a few days but no answer The calls keep going to John Bunyan Centre and they unfortunately are unable to access the outdoor centre's booking system. Seems as if the phone is never answered. There is also no contact form online.

Visited 5th August 2021, the whole team looked after us all so well, large group of 12 kids and 6 adults. Great expereince, great fun and would highly recommend a visit! Thanks for looking after us all.

Came for a Planet Patrol session and was thoroughly impressed by the friendly and helpful staff and the good quality equipment! Will be coming back again.

My kids love this place. Especially paddleboarding with the Fun 4 young people team.

We spent a lot of our time at the Subtropical Swimming Paradise at Centre Parcs Woburn and it was a really fun experience overall. There are five main areas, each catering to different ages and abilities. • Children’s Pool: This starts super shallow and goes up to around 2ft. It has three slides with two small slides – suitable for children around 3+ and one that’s a little longer, windier, and faster (better for ages 4+). Younger ones will probably need someone waiting at the bottom to catch them. • Pirate Play Area: A great splash pool with a climbing structure, plus a couple of smaller slides for younger kids and two larger ones suited to children around 4+. • Wave Pool: The main swimming area doubles as a wave pool. When the sirens sound, there are 5 minutes of waves, which can be quite strong and not ideal for very young children. Between wave sessions, though, it’s a lovely family-friendly pool, starting shallow and going to about 150cm deep. • Big Slides: There’s a separate area with three large slides, which are only suitable for older children and adults. Some even require two or more people to ride together. • Lazy River & Rapids: The lazy river was enjoyable, though you do need to be careful – some people treat the floats like bumper cars. Unfortunately, a group of teenagers crashed into me, and I hit my head on the wall, with lifeguards not stepping in despite seeing it happen. Thankfully, most visitors were respectful and we still enjoyed it. The rapids are fast, fun, and definitely more suited to adults or confident older kids. ✨ Overall, it’s a brilliant facility with lots to do for all ages. Despite a couple of downsides with supervision in the lazy river, we had a great time and would definitely recommend making it part of your trip.

Lovely pool with a nice amount of activities. The outdoor rapids were excellent as was the Typhoon Twister (forgot the name), though queues for the latter were quite long. Agree with comments about the pool, which is quite small so easily filled once adults jump in. Sadly the day after spending a few hours here I came away with a reddish rash on my chest and legs so I never returned after my first visit - not sure what the itchy rash was about but I guess it'll vanish in a few days.

Great fun for all the family, take your pick from baby pool, pirate ship, wave pool, lazy river, rapids (outdoor), Twister, Typhoon, Tropical Cyclone (for the daring) or do all of them over and over again! Good to kill an hour or spend all day there. Still lovely and warm even when freezing outside. Lots of seats. Decent food and drink from cafe or Starbucks.

Nice place. Not so many rides like long leet but the rapid river is lot better than long leet, never hurt once in rapid river.

Great family, fun, good place to spend a few hours, with good facilities.

We went for a 5 day staycation to Woburn and went to subtropical paradise on day 5. I do wish I’d known earlier, as it’s great for people who want to use the facilities and also lots of space for people who just want to take photos or sit down and not get in the water (which I didn’t know about until going in). Also, by the by, it was free! This is actually part of the package unlike all the rest of the activities which you have to pay for. My three star review is only through comparison with the Longleat Center Parcs. I strongly recommend adding a whirlpool and raising the temperature of the outdoor rapids. If both of these happened I think the pool would be level with the others. A good choice of slides but nowhere to go for a 'proper' swim, the main pool is too small and aimed more at children. The wild rapids are a lot of fun but I think the water temperature could be turned up a degree or two as it was cold unless you stayed underwater up to your shoulders constantly (quite impossible when you're being chucked about on the rapids), due to them being outside. There is a pirate ship with slides and also a pool for very small children but there aren't many places to sit or attractions for adults- such as a jacuzzi, luckily we came at a quiet time, it must be difficult to move in peak times. The lazy river is too short in my opinion and the hydro features blasting in your face take away the relaxation element of it. It was good but I preferred Whinfells' pool and would like to try another CP such as Sherwood in the future.

Nice area. Long walk down to pool area from changing room and pool seems smaller then other parks. Small child areas are very good. Water flumes kids loved and outside rapids ni e and warm.