Bedford

Properties and events in Bedford

Before heading out for your Heritage Open Days visit, please check entries for last-minute changes.

Print selected events below

'Memories of Vauxhall's factory floor' hosted by Luton Made: Vauxhall

Wardown Park Museum, Old Bedford Road, Luton, Bedfordshire, LU2 7HA
In person
Pre-booking not required

Join us on Sunday 14th September to celebrate Vauxhall Motors' legacy in Luton. Share your stories, shape our exhibition, and be part of the journey.

A Guided Tour of Grove House

Grove House, 76 High Street North, Dunstable, Bedfordshire, LU6 1NF
In person
Pre-booking not required

Dunstable Town Council will be celebrating Heritage Open Days by opening up some of its most historic buildings. Explore Grove House, one of Dunstable’s most historic buildings on a guided tour - you might even encounter one of its past residents.

Ailesbury Mausoleum and Crypt

St Mary's Church, Church Road, Maulden, Bedfordshire, MK45 2AU
In person
Pre-booking not required

Ailesbury Mausoleum and Crypt was built by Thomas Bruce, the first Earl of Elgin in 1656 as a memorial to his second wife, Diana.

All Saints Church

High Street, Houghton Regis, All Saints Church, Dunstable, Bedfordshire, LU5 5BJ
In person
Pre-booking not required

We have trained volunteer guides to carry out tours of the church and tower. Display panels in a designated heritage zone. The tower will be open and viewing from the roof will be allowed; weather permitting and risk assessed.

Cainhoe Castle

Shefford Road, Beadlow, Shefford, Bedfordshire, SG17 5TR
In person
Pre-booking not required

Join us for a day of historical discovery at Cainhoe Castle at Clophill Lakes Nature Reserve. Discover what life was like in a Norman castle and medieval manor house.

CWGC Tours 2025 - Cranfield (St Peter and St Paul) Churchyard

Court Road, Cranfield, Bedfordshire, MK43 0DR
In person
Pre-booking required

Join the Commonwealth War Graves Commission for a free tour of Cranwell (St Peter and St Paul) Churchyard.

CWGC Tours 2025 - Kempston Cemetery

Green End Road, Kempston, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK43 8RJ
In person
Pre-booking required

Join the Commonwealth War Graves Commission for a free tour of Kempston Cemetery

Design a Roman Mosaic Tile

Sandy Library, Market Square, Sandy, Bedfordshire, SG19 1EH
In person
Pre-booking not required

On Saturday 13 September at 10.00 am children will be welcomed to Sandy Library to design and make a Roman tile to take home.

Dunstable Middle Row Market

25 Ashton Square, Dunstable, Bedfordshire, LU6 3SN
In person
Pre-booking not required

Dunstable Town Council will be celebrating Heritage Open Days at the Middle Row Market on Ashton Square in Dunstable on Saturday 13 September from 0930 to 1530 with its fantastic Middle Row Markets.

Foster Hill Road Cemetery, burial records and guided tree walk

The Gatehouse, Foster Hill Road, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK41 7TD
In person
Pre-booking not required

Discover Bedford’s first municipal cemetery opened in 1855. Both the gatehouse and chapels were designed in the Gothic revival style. Every type of headstone design popular in the Victorian period can be found in the cemetery.

Foundations of Biggleswade

Biggleswade Market Place, Market Square, Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, SG18 0JL
In person
Pre-booking not required

Explore the architectural story of Biggleswade, from historic landmarks to modern transformations. Discover how the town’s buildings have shaped its past, present, and exciting future. Join us for a glimpse into Biggleswade’s evolving landscape.

Guided Walk : Secrets of High Town Side Streets

1 North Street, Luton, Bedfordshire, LU2 7QD
In person
Pre-booking required

A 90 min guided walk of High Town taking in heritage features of North, Reginald and Frederick Streets as well as upmarket Clarendon Road.

Hidden in Plain Sight - Photography Open Call

65-67 Bute Street, Luton, Bedfordshire, LU1 2EY
In person
Pre-booking not required

To mark this year’s Heritage Open Days (12–21 September), we’re inviting you to capture the often-overlooked details that make Luton’s architecture special. From old tiles to curious cornices – what hidden stories will you uncover?

Houghton House Tour

Houghton House, Hazelwood Lane, Ampthill, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK45 2EY
In person
Pre-booking not required

Houghton House today is the shell of a 17th-century mansion commanding magnificent views, reputedly the inspiration for the ‘House Beautiful’ in John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress.

Houghton Regis Heritage Day at Houghton Hall Park

Park Road North, Houghton Regis, Dunstable, Bedfordshire, LU5 5FU
In person
Pre-booking not required

Join us to celebrate and experience Houghton Regis' past.

Jordans Mill Heritage Tour

Jordans Mill, Langford Road, Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, SG18 9JY
In person
Pre-booking not required

Come along and explore Jordans Mill; a food heritage attraction with a lovingly restored historic water Mill, beautiful gardens, gift shop and Riverside Cafe. During a short tour, you'll discover how flour was once produced.

Lets Not Forget - A walk In the Past community consultation

234 Dallow Road, Luton, Bedfordshire, LU1 1TB
In person
Pre-booking not required

Join us for Let’s Not Forget – A Walk in the Past, a community consultation event using art, AR, and AI to explore local heritage. Visit 7 interactive stands, meet artists, experience digital displays, and share your views. Fun for all ages

Live calligraphy in the Hat District with Abu Yahya

65-67 Bute Street, Luton, Bedfordshire, LU1 2EY
In person
Pre-booking not required

The Culture Trust Luton has commissioned acclaimed local artist Abu Yahya to create a new series of large-scale calligraphy works in the Hat District, as part of Heritage Open Days 2025. The works will unfold live across the week.

Look to the Rooftops

47 Guildford Street, Luton, Bedfordshire, LU1 2NQ
In person
Pre-booking required

A workshop exploring Luton’s hidden history through creative writing during Heritage Open Days 2025 at the Hat District.

Luton Hoo Walled Garden

Luton Hoo Estate Walled Garden, Luton Hoo Estate, Luton, Bedfordshire, LU1 4LF
In person
Pre-booking not required

Visit the Walled Garden at Luton Hoo Estate, designed by Capability Brown in the 1760’s for the 3rd Earl of Bute. The Garden has changed and evolved under owners and management over the years and is now the focus of a dynamic volunteer project.