Browsing local attractions within 8 miles of The Great Ouse
The Lodge, Patton Road, Sandy, Bedfordshire, SG19 2DL, Tel: 01767 680541, Email, (7 miles, 12kms)
The Lodge is the UK headquarters of the RSPB. Stroll along 5 miles of signposted trails that take you on a journey around the reserve, through woodland, heath land and the formal gardens surrounding the Lodge house.
Nature Reserve
Old Warden Aerodrome, Old Warden, Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, SG18 9EP, Tel: 01767 627970, (6 miles, 9kms)
A unique historical collection of aircraft from a 1909 Bleriot to a 1942 Spitfire in flying condition, and cars dating from an 1898 Panhard in running order.
Museum - Transport
Group Visits
Educational Visits
The Forest Centre, Station Road, Marston Moretaine, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK43 0PR, Tel: 01234 767037, (7 miles, 11kms)
Country park with visitor centre. Bike hire, exhibition, cafe and bar, art gallery and shop.
Country Park
Cycle Hire
Colmworth, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK44 2LD, Tel: 01223 582700, Email, (7 miles, 11kms)
A small Augustinian priory founded in about 1195 with a magnificent 13thC timber roof of crown-post construction. There are also medieval wall paintings and stained glass.
Abbey
Ampthill, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK45 2, Tel: 01223 582700, Email, (7 miles, 12kms)
The ruins of a 17thC country house, built in the heights near Ampthill and believed to be the, House Beautiful in Bunyan's, The Pilgrim's Progress.
Historic Site
10 Cambridge Road, Sandy, Bedfordshire, SG19 1JE, Tel: 01767 682728, Email, (6 miles, 10kms)
Information Centre
Church End, Willington, Bedfordshire, MK44 3PX, Tel: 01480 301494, Email, (2 miles, 4kms)
Tudor dovecote and stable, part of a now vanished manor.
Old Town Hall, St. Pauls Square, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK40 1SJ, Tel: 01234 221712, Email, (2 miles, 3kms)
This historic market town, famous for its association with John Bunyan, nestles on the banks of the picturesque River Great Ouse. There are award winning parks and gardens, colourful markets and year round events.
The Gallery, Harrowden Lane, Cardington, Bedfordshire, MK420TD, Tel: 01234 741677, Email, (2 miles, 3kms)
Set in barns around a farm courtyard we are a collective of potters, artists, sculptures, wood workers and musicians.
Art Gallery
Bridge End, Bromham, Bedfordshire, MK43 8LP, Tel: 01234 824330, Email, (4 miles, 7kms)
Restored watermill in working condition. Selling stoneground wholemeal flour, static displays of machinery. Art gallery, craft sales, gift shop and cafe. Picnic meadow.
Watermill
Bedford Makers and Designers, Cardington Workshops, Harrowden Lane, Cardington, Bedfordshire, MK42 0TD, Tel: 01234 741677, Email, (2 miles, 3kms)
Situated round the courtyard of renovated farm buildings The Gallery houses an exhibition area, workshops and showrooms of 5 local craftsmen.
Stevington, Bedfordshire, MK43 7QG, Tel: 01234 824330, Email, (6 miles, 9kms)
A fully-restored 18thC postmill.
Windmill
Cross End, Thurleigh, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK44 2EE, Tel: 01234 771597, Email, (5 miles, 8kms)
Thurleigh Farm Centre is a working farm with indoor and outdoor play facilities and tearoom where families can have relaxed fun together.
Farm
Tea/Coffee Shop
Church Road, Stevington, Bedfordshire, MK43 7QB, Tel: 01234 822064, Email, (6 miles, 9kms)
A garden of four and a half acres, developed and entirely looked after by owners Simon and Kathy Brown over the last twenty years. It has over eighteen different areas of interest.
Garden
Council Offices, 10 Cambridge Road, Sandy, Bedfordshire, SG19 1JF, Tel: 01767 681491, Email, (6 miles, 10kms)
A permanent 'mini' museum telling the story of Roman Sandy.
Museum
Barkers Lane, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK41 9SH, Tel: 01234 211182, Email, (0.0 miles, 0.1kms)
Over 300 acres of open space with 2 lakes and riverside. Fishing facilities, water sports, bird-watching hides, guided walks and talks and bike hire.
Concert Hall
Theatre
Chapel Lane, Willington, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK44 3QG, Tel: 01234 838709, Email, (2 miles, 4kms)
A Norwegian log cabin in a tranquil riverside location. Cycle hire, country walks and escorted tours around moated site with wildfowl collection, by arrangement. Food and drinks served all day.
Old Warden, Bedfordshire, SG18 9EA, Tel: 01767 626200, (6 miles, 10kms)
Home of the Shuttleworth College, Shuttleworth Collection and Swiss Garden. Annual events.
Park
Old Warden Park, Old Warden, Bedfordshire, SG18 9ER, Tel: 01767 627927, (6 miles, 9kms)
A delightful Regency Garden in the style of the picturesque with later Victorian additions. A romantic and tranquil experience.
Twinwood Events Ltd, Twinwood Road, Clapham, Bedfordshire, MK41 6AB, Tel: 01923 282725, Email, (4 miles, 6kms)
Museums include: Glenn Miller Museum, Aviation Museum, Home Front Museum and 1940s house, Motor Transport Section, Summer of '44 Museum and the Axis Museum.
Bunyan Meeting Free Church, Mill Street, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK40 3EU, Tel: 01234 213722, Email, (2 miles, 2kms)
Museum housing the personal effects of John Bunyan (1628-1688) and copies of The Pilgrim's Progress in over 200 languages, together with other works by Bunyan.
Summerfields Fruit Farm, Hammer Hill, Haynes, Bedford, MK45 3BH, Tel: 01525, (5 miles, 8kms)
Miniature railways operated by members of Bedford Model Engineering Society. Ground level 0.75 mile largely steam-hauled. Elevated 700ft.
Steam Railway
Shefford, Bedfordshire, Tel: 01525 860497, Email, (8 miles, 12kms)
Chicksands Priory is a 12thC priory of the Gilbertine order. Only 1 cloister remains but it became the ancestral seat of the Osborn family after dissolution.
