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 Nature & Parks
Discover the best top things to do in Bedfordshire, United Kingdom including Animal Edge, Shuttleworth Swiss Garden, Dunstable Downs, Birds of Prey Centre, The Shuttleworth Collection, Greensand Ridge Walk, Priory Country Park, Stockgrove Country Park, Parson's Close Recreation Ground, Jungle Jim's Playland Ltd.
Restaurants in Bedfordshire
1. Animal Edge
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 7 reviews
Reviewed By clairedG1497MN
Fantastic well run place, my 2 year old loved it and we’ve booked to go again. Felt safe with COVID precautions and we were the only ones there. We fed goats, sheep, pigs and stroked the small horse. Also saw bunnies, chickens and ducks. An hour was plenty enough time.
2. 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.
3. Dunstable Downs
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 721 reviews
Soar above a breathtaking landscape, sculpted over time, decorated by nature and enjoyed by generations.Stand on top of Dunstable Downs for a view that will simply take your breath away. These Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) are designated for the quality of their chalk grasslands.As well as two Scheduled Ancient Monuments (Five Knolls and Medieval Rabbit Warrens) there are many other historical features and the site has much to offer you.The chalk grasslands of the Downs have miles of footpaths and several circular walks, a fascinating history and an abundance of plants and wildlife.Dunstable Downs is within the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and the highest point in Bedfordshire.The wind-swept ridge provides ideal conditions for a variety of air sports, especially kite flying. On calmer days it's the ideal site to enjoy the view and a picnic.Please note: Chilterns Gateway Centre is owned by Central Bedfordshire Council and managed by the National Trust.
Reviewed By fly2thai - Exeter, United Kingdom
I took my 2 grandsons to the National Trust Summer of Sport during the summer holidays last week, and although it poured with rain, it was still a great day. It's such a beautiful relaxing area, and we plan to return next week, and hope the weather is better. We arrived at 11am and left at 4pm. The children played cricket and football, did some colouring and we ventured to Chute Woods to visit the adventure playground, which they loved, in fact I could hardly make them leave. We did the walk around the woods too and saw all the dens previous families had made. The NT are happy for you to make a den of your own or build on others, which is a great idea. Next week we plan to visit the tree cathedral and do the stone age walk, and play cricket/football again and try our hand at flying a kite. It was a free event, the staff were great especially the gentleman on reception, who couldn't be more helpful and we had lunch and afternoon tea in the cafe. The toilets were spotless, and I thoroughly recommend a visit, as even if you only visit the cafe the views are stunning. It looks as if in hot weather they open all the sliding glass doors in the cafe which must be lovely. There are some great historical photos on the back wall of the cafe too, which were really interesting. Am really looking forward to our return, and I am coming up all the way from Devon !!
4. Birds of Prey Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 793 reviews
Reviewed By andysgood - Northampton, United Kingdom
Great afternoon out , thoroughly enjoyable. Arrived for a Birds of Prey experience , quite a few in our group to start with and was not sure how much we were going to be able to do . However the staff were excellent in all people that wanted to handle the birds were given ample time and were able to spend time with different birds , Owls , Falcons and Hawks to mention a few. After a while the group was split into two one group continued with the birds while the others went to a flying display , then the roles were reversed . As for the flying display we were treated to standing in the arena firstly with an African owl flying and landing on your hand then afterwards an eagle do the same great to watch and take part in , again everybody had the opportunity. We also were able to watch the American Bald Eagle fly between the falconers.The staff were very friendly , helpful and knowledgeable and helped to make it a great time.Will come again.
5. 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.
6. Greensand Ridge Walk
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 27 reviews
Reviewed By gourmetflaneur - York, United Kingdom
Set above Ampthill and flowing back into it at many points and linking with the Park Greensand ridge is a good for views of the surrounding area, a great place to get fresh air and to weave in and out of tree lined avenues that served eventually Houghton House and open ridges. Many dog walkers and kite flyers like this area and you can see why. Great for a stroll or as one of the routes to Houghton House.
7. Priory Country Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 369 reviews
Reviewed By LINDAE129 - Grimsby, United Kingdom
Took the family to the Beefeater Restaurant, found on entering the park, for lunch, which was appreciated by all then decided to walk it off around the park and lake This park is well worth a visit A beautiful lake is the centrepiece and sets the scene and this is surrounded by the park This consists of a large area of grass (this was being cleared of equipment following a concert) but there was an enormous area for children to run about kicking a football or playing chase games There was also an area with weird park equipment which the children loved as it was so different There was also a couple of woodland walks which we ventured on These passed a hidden lake and had beautiful narrow walkways covered by overhanging bushes which formed an archway in places and made it all seem a bit fairytaleish. Quite idyllic We then stopped for a very nice ice cream from the small cafe on site Delicious All in all a good afternoons enjoyment was had by all Well worth a visit
8. Stockgrove Country Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 61 reviews
Reviewed By Andy-S60 - London, United Kingdom
We enjoyed a good walk through the park yesterday, hiking along mostly well-marked paths through the woods to the Rushmere area, latterly via the Greensand Ridge, and back again to the Stockgrove car park for a well deserved take-away coffee and baguette at the excellent kiosk there. And I've never had a chicken and bacon baquette like it - it was huge! A great morning out!
9. Parson's Close Recreation Ground
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 71 reviews
On 9th May 1848 Parliament passed a private act to allow for common land owned by the church to be awarded to the then Leighton Buzzard Urban District Council “as a place of recreation for the inhabitants of Leighton Buzzard and the neighbourhood”. In 1974 the land transferred ownership from the Urban District Council to the newly formed Parish Council of Leighton-Linslade, who retain ownership today. A dedicated grounds team take pride in managing the park on a daily basis and has overseen the park taking shape to incorporate the many facilities it now has to offer. These include toilet facilities, children’s play area, skate park, youth shelter, multi-use games arena and splash ‘n’ play.
10. Jungle Jim's Playland Ltd
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 91 reviews
Reviewed By Westies20 - Sandy, United Kingdom
I have taken my children here since my 7 year old was a baby so we have loads of happy memories of this place. It is kept beautifully clean, Jungle Jim's has ruined other soft plays for me as I have yet to take the kids to one that has the same standards of cleanliness. The food is a good standard too, there is quite a wide variety of hot and cold drinks at a reasonable price, I particularly like the smoothies. The staff are really lovely too. The covid system works well, it's easy to use the online booking system and they don't allow too many people in per session. I had to cancel a session as we were self isolating and they moved it to another day with no charge which I really appreciated.
