Top Things to do in Bedfordshire
Top Hotels in Bedfordshire
- 1. The Waterfront Hotel, Spa & Golf
- 2. Premier Inn Luton Town Centre hotel
- 3. Holiday Inn Express London - Luton Airport, an IHG Hotel
- 4. Flitwick Manor Hotel, BW Premier Collection
- 5. Courtyard by Marriott Luton Airport
- 6. Thistle Express London Luton
- 7. Premier Inn Luton (Airport) hotel
- 8. Travelodge Luton
- 9. Hilton Garden Inn Luton North
- 10. ibis London Luton Airport Hotel
Things to do in Bedfordshire, England: The Best Gardens
Discover the best top things to do in Bedfordshire, United Kingdom including Shuttleworth Swiss Garden, Kathy Brown's Garden, The Shuttleworth Collection, Bedford Park, The Walled Garden, Swiss Garden, Old Warden.
Restaurants in Bedfordshire
1. Shuttleworth Swiss Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 229 reviews
The Swiss Garden is a late Regency, nine acre garden, which is adjacent to the Shuttleworth Collection. The garden was created by the third Lord Ongley between 1820 and 1835, and is laid out in the romantic and Swiss picturesque style. It is the only complete example of this period and is open to the public all year round. The Swiss Garden has 13 listed structures including a Swiss Cottage, Indian Kiosk, and Grotto & Fernery and Victorian embellishments such as Pulhamite rockwork. It is licenced as a civil wedding venue, and outdoor events run throughout the year including the annua Mad Hatters tea party and open air theatre.
Reviewed By vm0z - Lincolnshire, United Kingdom
A lovely day out, made more exciting for the grandchildren because some of the vintage aircraft were flying! The gardens are pretty with interesting features that the adults and children all enjoyed. The play areas are well laid out with a variety of equipment, the children enjoyed exploring these. There was plenty of space and seating to have our picnic. The cafe was open for take-out only due to the government guidelines but the coffee was good! Henry provided directions and advice, thank you. I think it is good value for money at £15 per adult as there are no charges for children or parking.
2. Kathy Brown's Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 42 reviews
A beautiful private garden nestling in the Great Ouse River Valley in Stevington, North Bedfordshire, open regularly to the Public from end April through the summer months on all Tuesdays and Bank Holiday Mondays in the afternoon 1-5pm; delightful home made teas served in the garden. Please check website for full details. Groups also welcome at pre-arranged times.
Reviewed By ZGC65
We visited Kathy and Simons' beautiful gardens on a very hot summers day with family and friends. We ranged from my 105 year old grandmother to our friends 13 month old grandson, but we were all very happy under the shade of the enormous fig tree. We were lucky enough to savour the delicious homemade carrot and marigold cake before wandering through the very pretty, unusual and interesting gardens. The owners were delightful, much more than simply hospitable. Hope to return soon for another Perfect Afternoon.
3. The Shuttleworth Collection
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 632 reviews
Started by Richard Shuttleworth, who collectected some of the exhibits still here, The Shuttleworth Collection is home to the best collection of genuine WWI aircraft that all still fly in Europe, alongside over historic aircraft from 1909 to the 1950s. The Collection includes the oldest aircraft still flying - the 1909 Blériot. Also, the oldest airworthy British aircraft 1912 Blackburn Monoplane, the 1934 race winning DH88 Comet, record breaking 1936 Mew Gull, 1938 special ops Westland Lysander and many more. Vintage vehicles including a steam locomobile and early buses, cycles and motorcycles are also part of The Collection. Shuttleworth is based at an aerodrome with a grass runway, PPR required but there are no landing fees and aviation fuel available at self-service pumps. It's just off the A1 at Biggleswade with free parking, on-site Play Area, restaurant and adjacent Swiss Garden, and a period Mansion (open event days). May to October it is a top class vintage airshow venue.
Reviewed By BarbaraV340 - Bedford, United Kingdom
It is many years since I last visited the shuttleworth collection and that was on a flying day when many of the planes were out of the hangars. This time my sister and I went on a weekday - it was the school half term holiday so we were expecting it to be very busy. It was, however, very quiet and we were able to walk around in comfort and take our time exploring the exhibits and reading the excellent information boards. I was blown away by the way the planes, cars, buses and bikes were kept and displayed. Those aeroplanes were polished to within an inch of their lives! We were fascinated by the planes used in the film " Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines " and the gyrocopter used in the James Bond film " Live and Let Die " as well as the iconic planes of the two world wars. The display of bicycles from the Ivel factory with local connections was also fascinating. It was good to see the bicycle Dorothy Shuttleworth used into old age. The story of the collection told in a leaflet given to us on the way in is moving. We combined our visit with a visit to the Swiss Garden - a combined ticket was good value and we had a full day out. I know that flying days at Shuttleworth are very popular but my recommendation would be to visit the museum on a normal day- a day out to be recommended for the whole family.
4. Bedford Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 247 reviews
Reviewed By RLDuke - Bedford, United Kingdom
Bedford Park is quite simply a stunning park with plenty of space for picnics (no BBQs!) and long walks with your friends. Picking up dog poo is an absolute must as this park is immaculate!
5. The Walled Garden
6. Swiss Garden, Old Warden
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 5 reviews
