Bedfordshire

Properties and events in Bedfordshire

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

Print selected events below

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 - Displays of Churches history. Guided Tours.

All Saints Church, High Street, Houghton Regis, 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.

All Saints Church Ridgmont Open Days

All Saints Church, High Street, Ridgmont, Bedfordshire, MK43 0TX
In person
Pre-booking not required

A rare opportunity to see inside one of Bedfordshire’s premier landmarks and places of worship. Rich in history and architectural splendour.

Bedford Geological Society Presentation at St James Parish Church

St James Parish Church, School Lane, Husborne Crawley, Bedfordshire, MK43 0UY
In person
Pre-booking not required

An explanation of how our area evolved geologically over the last 170 million years, the influence that this has had on today's landscape and why it is such an important part of our local heritage, including St James unique “green" Greensand.

Behind the seams: secrets from the women's fashion collection

Hat House, 32 Guildford Street, Luton, Bedfordshire, LU1 2NR
In person
Pre-booking not required

Showcasing exciting discoveries uncovered during a volunteer-led inventory of Luton’s collection managed by The Culture Trust, this exhibition provides a glimpse at some of the beautiful and fascinating objects which are held by the museums.

Cainhoe Castle

Clophill Lakes Nature Reserve, 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.

Chews House

77 High Street South, Dunstable, Bedfordshire, LU6 3SF
In person
Pre-booking not required

Chews House 77 High St South, Dunstable LU6 3SF will be open from 1000 to 1500. Chews House in High Street South which is owned by the charity and is a Grade 11 listed building, now run by the Priory Church and used as an office and meeting rooms.

Commonwealth War Graves Tour - Kempston Cemetery

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

Kempston Cemetery is the final resting place of 28 casualties from the First World War and 36 from the Second. Join this tour to hear some of their stories and find out about the history of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, and its work today.

CWGC Tours 2026 - Kempston Cemetery

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

Join the Commonwealth War Graves Commission for a free tour of Kempston Cemetery, led by one of our experienced volunteer tour guides.

Design and Weave a Colourful Heart

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

Get your nimble fingers ready and put on your creative cap to design and weave a colourful heart using traditional techniques. Feed colourful ribbons through slots bringing it over and under to create a woven effect.

Everyday Histories - Stotfold Photo Exhibition - Cemetery Chapel

Stotfold Cemetery Chapel, Mill Lane, Stotfold, Hitchin, Bedfordshire, SG5 4NY
In person
Pre-booking not required

View glimpses of everyday life over the last 100 years in Stotfold through a variety of black and white photographs. From school & group photos, then & now pictures of various locations, shops and businesses, and snapshots of family life.

Everyday Histories - Stotfold Photo Exhibition - Memorial Hall

Memorial Hall, Hallworth Drive, Stotfold, Hitchin, Bedfordshire, SG5 4HR
In person
Pre-booking not required

View glimpses of everyday life over the last 100 years in Stotfold through a variety of black and white photographs. From school & group photos, then & now pictures of various locations, shops and businesses, and snapshots of family life.

Everyday Working Histories of Biggleswade

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

Explore the 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.

Foster Hill Road Cemetery, burial records and guided walk - 'History of the Cemetery'

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.

Grove House Open Day

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

Grove House on High Street North will invite visitors inside its elegant Georgian rooms for the second time as part of Heritage Open Day. Once a family home and later a school, it now serves as the Town Council’s civic headquarters

Harper Luxe Serviced Apartments

8B High Street North, High Street North, Dunstable, Bedfordshire, LU6 1LA
In person
Pre-booking not required

Visitors will be invited to explore the historic covered passageway and landscaped rear courtyard of Harper Luxe Serviced Apartments on Saturday 12 September from 10 am to 3 pm

Houghton Regis Heritage Day - Medieval Festival

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

Explore medieval history at Houghton Hall Park with reenactors, history groups, and combat demonstrations. Accessible for wheelchairs & mobility scooters - no steps on site. Dogs welcome. No ticket required.

Jordans Mill 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.

Let's Not Forget - A Walk in the Past

Brantwood Park, Luton, Bedfordshire, LU1 1JJ
In person
Pre-booking not required

Come and join us for a walk through the past as we visit 7 key locations, each showcasing Luton’s rich heritage. Scan the QR codes at each stop to experience augmented reality and explore what Luton once was.

Lost Landscapes of Sandy Smith Nature Reserve Guided Walk

Sandy Smith Nature Reserve, Shefford Road, Beadlow, Clophill, Bedfordshire, SG17 5PL
In person
Pre-booking required

This FREE walk as part of Heritage Open Days, will focus on the hidden histories and lost landscapes within Sandy Smith Nature Reserve. Discover everything from hidden parkland to intriguing WW2 histories.