Things to do in Bedfordshire by Group Holiday in Southbourne Dorset

The county of Bedfordshire, situated 30 miles from London, is the gateway to the Midlands and East Anglia.

Set in a rich rural landscape of gently rolling countryside, meandering rivers and pretty villages, the county is an attractive place with many areas of outstanding natural beauty.

Bedfordshire is great for walking, cycling and horse riding - along internationally known trails such as the Icknield Way, or short family oriented circular walks.

There are lots of attractions in the county, including stately homes, gardens, woodland walks nature reserves, country parks and world-famous animal parks.

Bedfordshire Tourist Information can be found in the Historic County town of Bedford, set on the banks of the River Great Ouse. The town has many fine buildings, the Bedfordshire Museum gives information on north Bedfordshire and the adjacent Cecil Higgins Art Gallery is well worth visiting. An attractive landscaped riverside walk stretches from one side of the town to the other, and many regattas and events take place on the river, which is navigable to the sea at the Wash.

Bedfordshire offers a wide range of family activities. Examples are: a day out to Whipsnade Wild Animal Park, or a visit to the unique Whipsnade Tree Cathedral, which contains many tree species planted in the plan of a medieval cathedral.

The town of Sandy is set against a backdrop of green hills, parkland and woodland, the area was once the centre for market gardening in the county. You might like to visit the RSPB nature reserve in Sandy, to walk the trails through 104 acres of woodland and heath land with formal and wildlife gardens, gift shop & picnic area.

Luton Central Library in St. George's Square, has a wide variety of tourist information. Luton is a lively place, perfect for entertainment and activities in and around Bedfordshire. Luton has its own airport, it is a vibrant multicultural town, it is over 1000 years old, and is a major regional cultural and economic centre.

If you are visiting Woburn, don't miss the Woburn Heritage Centre. A small museum is housed in the old church of St Mary's telling the history of Woburn village, past and present. Picture courtesy of www.visitbeds-luton.com The village is home of the famous Woburn Abbey which has been the home of the Russell Family, the Dukes of Bedford, for over 450 years. Woburn Safari Park is an ideal day out for families, who will enjoy the exciting drive through the reserves, where some of the world's most exciting animals roam.

For a fun day out why not take a leisurely canal boat cruise on one of the many inland waterways that criss-cross the area or play a round of golf at one of the counties many courses? Throughout the County there are some great places to eat out, many villages and hamlets offer a wide variety of pubs and inns, often serving home cooked meals using locally produced ingredients Bedfordshire has a variety of good shopping, attractions and sporting facilities for all ages.