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Day 1

Bedford to Luton Hoo

1 Trip item 1 of 5 for day 1
1 Trip item 1 of 5 for day 1

Discover Bedford Castle

  • Sightseeing
  • Suggested time at location: 1.5 hours
  • Free

Begin the break with a visit to the castle grounds of what was once Bedford Castle – a 12th-century fortress, which fell in the Great Siege of Bedford Castle in 1224. Explore the area, or take a guided tour and hear about its fascinating history.

2 Trip item 2 of 5 for day 1
2 Trip item 2 of 5 for day 1

Explore the galleries

  • Sightseeing
  • Suggested time at location: 1.5 hours
  • Free

Another popular thing to do in Bedford is to visit The Higgins, which is a popular art gallery and museum complex in the boundary of Bedford Castle, with a treasure-trove of artefacts.

3 Trip item 3 of 5 for day 1
3 Trip item 3 of 5 for day 1

Wander around the town

  • Sightseeing
  • Suggested time at location: 1 hour
  • Free

Photo by: Visit Wales/Crown Copyright

Explore the country town, famous for its many markets, and indulge in one of the classic things to do in Bedford – eat a Bedfordshire Clanger. Pop into Gunns Bakery for a taste of the traditional suet pudding with meat filling, originally made for farm labourers.

4 Trip item 4 of 5 for day 1
4 Trip item 4 of 5 for day 1

Splash out on a spa treatment

  • Sightseeing
  • Suggested time at location: 1.5 hours

Photo by: Alamy Stock / Cultura

A woman getting a face massage at a hotel spa.

Check into Luton Hoo Hotel – a magnificent country house hotel with a huge spa, set in 400 hectares (1,000 acres) of grounds, on the border of Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire. Treat yourself to a facial or massage, or swim in the pool and spend some time enjoying one of the most relaxing things to do in the county.

5 Trip item 5 of 5 for day 1
5 Trip item 5 of 5 for day 1

Enjoy some fine dining

  • Eatery
  • Suggested time at location: 1 hour

Then finish with some fine dining in Luton Hoo’s Wernher Restaurant, one of the best restaurants in Bedford. If you’re looking for something more laid-back, try its brasserie.

Top Tip - Harrison & Simmonds

  • Shopping

For a special souvenir, head to one of Bedford’s oldest shops, the 100-year-old gentleman’s emporium Harrison & Simmonds, abrim with treasures.

Wrest Park to Woburn

1 Trip item 1 of 5 for day 2
1 Trip item 1 of 5 for day 2

Wander around Wrest Park

  • Sightseeing
  • Suggested time at location: 2 hours

Start day two at Wrest Park – a magnificent English Heritage 18th-century house in 36 hectares (90 acres) of beautiful gardens, which Bridgerton fans will recognise as the family’s country retreat. One of the best things to do there is to take a tailored tour – from a garden tour, showing the hidden highlights, to a wallpaper tour, showcasing the sumptuous interiors.

2 Trip item 2 of 5 for day 2
2 Trip item 2 of 5 for day 2

Amble to Ampthill

  • Sightseeing
  • Suggested time at location: 1 hour
  • Free

Stop off in lovely Ampthill, the pretty, nearby market town, dating back to Anglo-Saxon times. Look around the town and stop for something to eat in one of its cafes, such as The Hide Café Bar. Taking a walk on the Greensand Ridge is another popular thing to do.

3 Trip item 3 of 5 for day 2
3 Trip item 3 of 5 for day 2

Visit Woburn

  • Sightseeing
  • Suggested time at location: 1 hour
  • Free

Heading a short distance west, make a second stop to explore one of Bedford’s prettiest villages, Woburn. This gorgeous Georgian village even has its own outdoor swimming pool, which is a popular thing to do in the summer, for locals and visitors.

4 Trip item 4 of 5 for day 2
4 Trip item 4 of 5 for day 2

Be wowed by Woburn Safari Park

  • Sightseeing
  • Suggested time at location: 3 hours

Photo by: Alamy Stock / Kevin Sawford

A lion roaring in a Safari Park.

The mane – pun intended – attraction in the area, however, is Woburn Safari Park, top of the list of things to do in Bedfordshire. You can go on a road or foot safari through animal enclosures. Nearby is also Woburn Abbey, home to the Duke and Duchess of Bedford, but it is closed to the public until 2026.

5 Trip item 5 of 5 for day 2
5 Trip item 5 of 5 for day 2

Dine with a difference

  • Eatery
  • Suggested time at location: 1.5+ hours

For a memorable dinner in a stunning location, book a tasting menu at another one of the best restaurants in Bedford – Michelin-recommended Paris House,  which is set in the middle of Woburn Estate’s deer park.

Top Tip - Gardener's House

  • Accommodation

For those who want to make like they’re in Bridgerton and stay longer at Wrest Park, you can book the Gardener’s House holiday cottage.

Knebworth to Whipsnade

1 Trip item 1 of 5 for day 3
1 Trip item 1 of 5 for day 3

Visit Knebworth

  • Sightseeing
  • Suggested time at location: 2 hours

Start day three at Knebworth House, which is technically in Hertfordshire, but we won’t mention it if you won’t. This stately house and its grounds are a top thing to do in the region and famous for hosting live music, as well as appearing on-screen in everything from The Crown to (you’ve guessed it) Bridgerton. Don’t miss the On Location exhibition inside.

2 Trip item 2 of 5 for day 3
2 Trip item 2 of 5 for day 3

Have a picnic

  • Sightseeing
  • Suggested time at location: 1 hour

Photo by: Alamy Stock Photo/Luke Farmer/National Trust

Deer in a park

Pick up some sandwiches from the tea room or kiosk and leave time to explore the formal gardens and maze, as well as the wider Knebworth deer park. Covering 100 hectares (250 acres), it’s great for picnics – one of the most memorable outdoor ‘restaurants’ in the region, if you use your imagination.

3 Trip item 3 of 5 for day 3
3 Trip item 3 of 5 for day 3

Go to Dunstable Downs

  • Sightseeing
  • Suggested time at location: 1 hour
  • Free

Photo by: National Trust Images/Justin Minns

Panoramic view or rolling green farmland and pastures with a cloudy sky.

Heading back into Bedfordshire – past the National Trust’s Shaw’s Corner, the country home of playwright George Bernard Shaw; another great thing to do, if you have time – stop off at Dunstable Downs, a National Trust Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, with the all-important cafe.

4 Trip item 4 of 5 for day 3
4 Trip item 4 of 5 for day 3

Head to wonderful Whipsnade

  • Sightseeing
  • Suggested time at location: 2.5 hours

Photo by: Alamy Stock / Andrea Ward

A family of giraffes sharing a tree branch at a safari park.

Leave plenty of time to enjoy Whipsnade Zoo, which has been one of the best things to do in Bedford for decades. You can see everything from aardvarks to wolverines. It’s part of the ZSL (Zoological Society of London) conservation charity. 

5 Trip item 5 of 5 for day 3
5 Trip item 5 of 5 for day 3

Climb aboard the train

  • Sightseeing
  • Suggested time at location: 1 hour

Photo by: Whipsnade Zoo & Railway (ZSL)

A steam train travelling through a zoo.

Don’t leave without a trip on The Great Whipsnade Railway – the most popular thing to do in Whipsnade. The steam train weaves its way around the park for an unforgettable safari adventure.

Top Tip - Military Intelligence Museum

  • Sightseeing

Another great thing to do is take a top-secret visit to the fascinating Military Intelligence Museum – you need to book ahead, as it’s on an active base.

Find more things to do in Bedfordshire

Photo by: Destination Plymouth

Location: Plymouth, England

A lion and lionness looking at each other in Dartmoor Zoo

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