Bedford’s reputation is improving! With reasonable house prices, excellent schools and glorious green spaces. This article discusses whether Bedford is a nice place to live.
In 2019, The Sunday Times voted Bedford as one of the best places to live in the UK. They also called it an unfairly underappreciated town. We couldn’t agree more!
Bedford is such a lovely place to live and work. There are lots of housing options to suit different budgets. Plenty of green spaces to enjoy. Great shopping and dining options. Excellent transportation links and a beautiful riverside to stroll beside.
Of course, every area has its cons! Living in the Bedfordshire region may come with the downside of dealing with some anti-social behaviour from the people around the area. But the area is working hard to improve this, and as we mentioned earlier, Bedford’s reputation is improving.
So, if you have a family in tow, you are a commuter or want a change of scenery. It could be the perfect spot to consider as your next home. Here are five reasons Bedford is an excellent place to live.
1. Bedford has excellent transport links
Bedford is well worth considering as a living location if you’re a commuter looking to move out of London. From here, you can be in London in under 40 minutes. Bedford is well-linked to London, thanks to its two stations. The larger Bedford (Midland) station offers Thameslink rail services to Brighton, with around six trains per hour to London. You’ll have the convenience of arriving at London St Pancras International, which makes further commuting extremely easy.
Additionally, trains from Bedford extend to Bletchley, Nottingham, Luton, and Three Bridges. Making it an ideal location for those seeking to commute to other locations. While driving to London via the A6 takes over an hour and a half. Bedford is well-connected to nearby regions via local roads. Driving to Cambridge takes around 40 minutes, making it a commutable distance.
2. There are lots of things to do in Bedford
There’s so much to do in Bedford. You could take a boat trip along the River Ouse on the John Bunyan Boat, which provides a relaxing and insightful view of the town. Visit The Higgins Bedford Art Gallery and Museum, which features an impressive collection of art, historical artefacts, and exhibitions. The Bedford River Festival is held every other year. It is the second-largest outdoor event in England after the Notting Hill Carnival. This free community event offers various activities, including live entertainment, a funfair, raft and dragon boat races, the Sports Island, and a water sports arena. The festival is a great way to enjoy a weekend in the area with something for everyone.
3. Bedford has a rich history to learn about
According to TripAdvisor, the top-rated museum in Bedford is the Panacea Museum. This museum delves into the history of a unique religious community that created its own Garden of Eden in the centre of Bedford. Knowledgeable guides will take you through the fascinating history of the Panacea Society spanning over three centuries.
4. Bedford has great schools
Bedford offers an excellent range of local schools if you are looking for a place to settle down with your family. All secondary schools in Bedford have a 6th form. This means pupils can remain at the school until they are 18 or 19. Several Bedford primary schools have achieved Ofsted’s desired ‘Outstanding’ review. This includes Carlton C of E Primary School, Sharnbrook Primary, Castle Newnham School, and Kempston Rural Primary School. Regarding secondary schools, Bedford is home to three that have received an ‘Outstanding’ report from Ofsted. This includes Bedford Free School, and St John’s School.
Higher education is also offered at the University of Bedfordshire. Just a 20-minute walk from the town centre and home to a Physical Education and Sport Science Centre used to train athletes in the 2012 Olympics!
5. Bedford has beautiful green spaces
If you’re looking for lovely places to stroll, check out Bedford Park, the Embankment, Priory Marina, or Russell Park. Russell Park, features a café, play area, and bowls green. Its a lovely place to spend time outdoors. Furthermore, the ongoing development of the Bedford Green Wheel provides a network of paths and routes for cyclists and walkers to explore the town’s parks, reserves, and countryside. Bedford is a great place to live and unwind.
There are plenty of options for those interested in health and fitness, with around 18 gyms and fitness centres nearby, all with varying facilities. Golf enthusiasts can also take advantage of the approximately 15 golf courses available.
All in all, we think Bedford is a lovely place to live. We hope this article has helped you consider Bedford as a location for your next home. You can let us know in the comments.