Things to do in Bedford

Top Things to Do in Bedford, Bedfordshire - Bedford Must See Attractions

Things to Do in Bedford


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Top Attractions in Bedford

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Farms
We began selling chilli pepper plants in 2001. The plants, and later pickles and sauces, gained very favorable attention and in 2007 we purchased Cherwood Nursery in Chawston which we renovated. Known for its 'Pick Your Own' chilli tunnel which is open to the public, the nursery has become the destination of choice for European hot pepper enthusiasts. In addition to fresh retail and wholesale chillies we also produce a selection of gourmet sauces, spice rubs, dried, smoked, frozen, and pickled chillies processed onsite in a 5 'Stars On The Doors' production kitchen. We also 'grow-to-order' for many other European hot sauce producers, restaurants, farm shops, delicatessens, and distinguished retailers such as Harrods and Fortnum and Mason. We host tours and workshops. Our chilli sauces are available from the nursery and local Waitrose stores. Edible Ornamentals has featured in the national daily press, The Economist and leading national trade publications The Grocer and Fresh Produce Journal. Joanna featured as a chilli expert on BBC's 3 Counties Radio, Radio 2's 'Chris Evans Show', and Radio 4's 'You and Yours' and has appeared in many TV programmes including Ready Steady Cook, Economy Gastronomy, Market Kitchen, Countrywise, Gordon Ramsay's 'Ultimate Cookery Course', 'The Hairy Bikers' and ITV's 'Sunday Brunch'. Heston Blumenthol visited and filmed an episode of his Channel 4 series "Great British Food" which featured Shawn and Heston eating a Trinidad Moruga Scorpion, hottest chilli in the world at that time. Edible Ornamentals won an extremely prestigious "Grower Of The Year Award" at the annual Horticultural Weekly sponsored event in 2011. That same year we were crowned "Best Chilli Grower UK" at the Fiery Foods Festival in Brighton. We were also named 'Local Food Hero' for East Anglia by the Good Food Channel's Market Kitchen and in 2015 awarded an extremely prestigious TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence.
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What travellers are saying

  • 860marie
    Norfolk, UK100 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    We really enjoyed the chilli workshop. Shawn's knowledge was amazing and he was passionate about the subject . We started with propagation right through to a taster section at the end . Fingers crossed the seeds we planted and brought home with us grow into fantastic plants .
    They sell some amazing products . Hope to visit again in the summer to see some of the different varieties of chilli plants .
    Written 7 January 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • wioletta w
    Bedford, UK5 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    I visited the museum with my partner and grandson. We wanted to buy some souvenirs from Bedford for our guests, because our Airbnb is a minute from the museum, and at the same time visit the new exhibitions. My grandson had a great time. I recommend it for children because there are many interactive exhibitions. Interesting information about Bedford.
    Written 15 March 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • linskitours
    Harpenden, UK588 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    This is an extremely well run and documented museum. The story of the Panacea Movement was unknown to us and we had spent time studying it on their website. On arrival we found there was a very clear introduction video and the signage and story boards are very clear. We were there for about two hours. Everyone will have a different view of the story and the merits of the movement, the story of the box and the healing waters. But I have to congratulate the trustees and staff for the quality and clarity of the Museum
    Written 5 November 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Win Task
    Bedford, UK80 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Been there couple of times and every time feel relax to walk around, enjoy the views and explore more nature.simply love it to be there specially at sunset time which is one of my favourite.
    Written 30 January 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Brian
    Westoning, UK2 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    My adult son bought us a Hunting with Hawks day at Herring Green for my birthday, we arrived prompt at 9:00 am and although they had not opened yet we were greeted by Laura who introduced herself as our falconer for the day. Started the day with a nice Latte and a briefing by Laura and then we were introduced to the birds a very handsome pair of Harris Hawks. After some instruction on safe handling of the birds we proceeded to thaw land where we would be hunting this would be in two sessions a morning one with some young less experienced birds and then the afternoon with two very experienced birds. Sadly we saw no game to hunt but enjoyed a great walk in some nice weather whilst sending the birds out and calling them back to the glove. As we hadn’t seen any game Laura organized for us to have some large eagles to handle. On the whole despite no hunting we had a great day, yes the birds were the stars by Laura made the day great with her instructions and in the ease that we had a rapport with her. Will we go back, well this is our third visit we had an experience day and did a three day course on bird of prey management so the answer is yes absolutely we will be going back.
    Written 17 February 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Roastspud
    South Coast260 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Quite simply the best motorsport day you’ll ever experience. The staff are beyond amazing and the pro drivers just want you to go as fast as is individually possible. Thank you to everyone at the venue. I’ll be smiling for a long time!!
    Written 9 June 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • barbara00
    Bedfordshire, UK23 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    What a lovely afternoon the gardens are amazing and very pretty at the moment. kathy is very welcoming and makes you feel at home -wishful thinking!!! We had coffee and cake on the lawn and listened to music a very relaxing experience will definitely visit again.
    Written 19 August 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Happiness637623
    6 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Fantastic park for family time . Great cafe with loads of choice for all the family. Play park, lakes and plenty of open space
    Written 13 March 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Thecatsmum4
    Kettering, UK2,234 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Nice park for a wander around the lake, adequate parking and entrance free, although they request a £1 donation which is very reasonable.

    Suitable for families and reasonably flat walkway around the lake for disabled people.

    Plenty of viewpoints and the option to wander through the fields with cows if you wish.

    Cafe on site by the entrnace and decent clean loos.
    Written 31 August 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • marliwelshmonkey
    2 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Small but crammed of some lovely and very interesting artefacts. This is Glenn Miller country, Twinwood, where is made his fateful flight is a few minutes drive away. He did a concert here, and there is a small, but with lots about him and the band tribute.
    The volunteers were wonderful, very friendly and informative and welcoming.
    It's a museum that you can return to over and over and still see something you missed.
    There is no visiting fee. Visitors are asked to make a donation.
    Great area for picnics.
    Please visit this wonderful place and help with its continuation, you won't regret i
    Written 18 September 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • AlinaRC
    Hertfordshire1,526 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    The majority of visitors are families with younger children looking for an easy walk and dog walkers. There is however much for other visitors without either dogs or younger children to enjoy. The Wetlands Nature trail around the Pillinge has three bird hides with views across the lake and reedbeds. There are also several other viewpoints. Any binoculars, including an old/cheep pair are strongly recommended to be able to enjoy the varied birdlife. Two have bird feeders which make it easier to spot the smaller, woodland birds. The paths are all very well maintained around the Wetland Nature trail, and despite very wet conditions in the countryside, the paths were easy to follow. We spent about two hours and were rewarded with a wide variety of ducks - tufted duck, shoveler, gadwall, wigeon, and teal, as well as little grebe, great crested grebe, cormorants, lapwing, herons and a little egret. The highlight of our visit was in the bird hide overlooking wetland three - getting excellent views of a shy water rail.

    After lunch we spent a bit of time at Stewartby Lake. The brickwork heritage was more obvious here - in the form of sticky clay. The unsurfaced footpaths adjacent to Stewartby lake were really heavy going, with deep puddles that were difficult to get around even in walking boots. The combined walking/cycling trail however, while wet has a surface and is easy to walk on.

    At the time of writing - December 2023 sections of the boardwalk overlooking Stewartby lake were closed for repair. Also closed was the tower hide (the other three hide are open fine). Hope this is opened again soon as it provides excellent views across the wetlands.

    There is a spacious cafe at the Forest Centre with lots of indoor and outdoor seating. It has a pleasant setting overlooking the reed beds. The cafe appears initially focused on family pleasing and 'fast food' options. However, when it arrives it is more promising than the description. The bagels were especially tasty, there are also jacket potatoes with a good choice of fillings. There are several vegan options on the menu. The day we visited there were also two vegan cake choices. Service was prompt and staff friendly.

    There are also toilets available when the visitors centre is open. In the winter this closes at 4pm although the car park is open until 5pm. There is a modest charge for car parking and a small additional charge to visit the wetlands nature reserve of £2.50 for adults (1.75 concessions). Car park is well maintained and despite the intense rain has a good surface.
    Written 29 December 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Beanie501
    Milton Keynes29 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Visited with Grandchildren. Staff were excellent, especially the falconer who presented the flying display. She was so knowledgeable and friendly. It was brilliant! We took a picnic so cannot comment on the cafe or food. Had a great ride in the tractor. There were a few reasons I’ve not been able to give five stars. Top of the list is the miserable state of the toilets which are in portacabins in the car park. Really horrible. They need replacing. The central flying display field has a sad, green scummy pond and a few rocks. Surely the appearance of this could be improved to match the brilliant flying demonstration? It needn’t be a Disney landscape but a lot could be done. The children’s playground equipment was shabby but this did not affect the children’s enjoyment. The farm area with the goats next door definitely needs a tidy up and the pedal cars need replacing. Having said all this we will visit again to see the Birds of Prey close up.
    Written 9 September 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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