Led by qualified members of the Bedford Association of Tour Guides, each tour promises an engaging and entertaining journey through various aspects of Bedford's heritage.

Sunday 4 August - The Silent Faces of Bedford

Wednesday 7 August - Tales of the Tower & Steeple: Tour of St Paul’s & St Peter’s

Sunday 11 August - I Never Knew That

Sunday 18 August - Bedford’s Movers & Shakers: A Bromham Road Walk

Wednesday 28 August - The Silent Faces of Bedford

We are excited to unveil the new Family Hubs and Children's Centre summer holiday timetable, packed with a wide range of free activities for everyone to enjoy.

From creative arts and crafts sessions to outdoor games and story time adventures, our summer timetable is filled with fun and enriching experiences for children of all ages.

The team is also pleased to offer free HAF (Holiday Activities and Food) project drop in sessions across Bedford during the summer holidays.

As well as a food bank you will find support with finding school places or a doctor, health advice, SEND referrals and parenting, DWP questions and more.

This will all run alongside an under-fives play session at the following venues between 10-11.45am and 12.15-2pm:

Queens Park Family Hub - Tuesday 6 August to Thursday 8 August

Cherry Trees Children's Centre - Tuesday 13 August to Thursday 15 August

Pine Cones Family Hub - Tuesday 20 August to Thursday 22 August

Harpur Suite - Tuesday 27 August to Thursday 29 August

This summer, journey back in time 800 years ago and explore the thrilling siege of Bedford Castle with a variety of exciting family activities at The Higgins Bedford.

From Tuesday 23 July to Thursday 29 August, children of all ages can unleash their creativity and delve into history through a range of castle-themed workshops and craft sessions.

Free craft activities each day at Bedford Central, Bromham, Kempston, Putnoe and Wootton libraries.

The Summer Reading Challenge is also free to join and allows children to earn rewards as they read this summer, there's even a medal for completing it!

Following a successful launch event at The Harpur Centre last week The BASE is offering 11 to 16 year-olds the opportunity to take part in a huge range of free activities and also providing free food and snacks.

Sessions run Tuesdays at the Raleigh Centre off Ampthill Road, Bedford and Thursdays at Kempston Youth Centre on Hillgrounds Road from 2.30pm to 6.30pm.

Activities include - pizza-making, boxing, baking, archery tag, parkour, sports, survival skills, a pool table, table tennis, film and hangout area, craft activities and more.

Every Sunday from 2pm to 6pm Sporting Aid deliver free sporting activities and a hot meal for children aged 8 to 14 years old.

This is held at the Youth Centre on Hillgrounds Road in Kempston.

To celebrate Cycle to Work Day BedfordBID/Love Bedford are employing the services of Dr Bike to provide free basic bike servicing in Harpur Square.

You'll find him at the secure cycle shelter on the corner of The Harpur Centre, opposite St. Paul's Church from 9am to 3pm.

Booking is essential as there are a limited number of hour appointments avaialble.

The Midland Road regeneration projects include investment to transform this key gateway from the railway station into the town centre and create a vibrant corridor by investing in the public realm works and individual business shopfronts. 

Come and speak to the team and find out more from 2pm to 4pm.

Join Puggle and friends for free, fun and creative activities inspired by art in the exhibitions.

It’s a drop-in activity, so no need to book. Just pop in any time from 10.30am to 12pm or from 1pm to 2.30pm and stay for as long as you like.

Bedford Town Band kicks off the series with a rousing performance from 3pm to 5pm.

Established in 1894 Bedford Town Band promotes traditional English brass banding and musical arts.

Bring your picnic blanket, grab some snacks, and settle in for a delightful afternoon amongst the beautiful surroundings of the Embankment. There will be a limited number of deckchairs for visitors and people are welcome to bring along their own chairs too. 

Music in the Meadows runs on each Sunday in August.

There are two sessions each day, 12pm to 3pm and 3.15pm to 6.15pm, which offer unlimited rides for £11 per child per session. It's also £1 per adult spectator.

These Saturday craft markets have different local craft traders and free workshop/performance every second Saturday of the month on the Silver Square and along the whole of Silver Street!

From soap flower gifts, up-cycled jars and glasses, wax melts to handmade bags and clothes, hand-painted plant pots and knitwear, you'll find a variety of high-quality and original items that showcase our local crafters’ passion and expertise.

The market runs from 9.30am to 3.30pm.

Street Tag is a family app for having fun and getting physically active. Whether you walk, run, cycle or roll, you will have fun and be motivated to keep going.

It turns our community into a virtual playground to help you be active everyday as you compete with other members of your community for rewards for either yourselve or a local primary school PTA. 

From 1pm to 3pm, children can hunt for hidden words around Bedford Central Library to help complete a wordsearch. Once completed they will receive a wristband and certificate, this is a free event.

Your one-stop shop for all things flea, art and produce.

Bedford Flea pride themselves on being the purveyors of quality with the emphasis on locally made, grown and sourced products, from some of our most skilled small businesses and hobbyists.

This market runs on the second Sunday of each month from 10am to 3pm.

May Blossom takes the stage, bringing a touch of floral charm from 3pm to 5pm.

Often found at 1940’s events across the UK, May Blossom performs a wonderful selection of remembrance, singalong and dance numbers.

Bring your picnic blanket, grab some snacks, and settle in for a delightful afternoon amongst the beautiful surroundings of the Embankment. There will be a limited number of deckchairs for visitors and people are welcome to bring along their own chairs too. 

Do you have concerns about your child's mental health?

Then come and chat to the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) Mental Health in Schools Team.

The team are offering all Bedford Borough parents of children aged five and over, the chance to chat, receive advice and get support for you and your family.

20-minute slots are available.

There will also be sessions at the Harpur Suite, Bedford, on Tuesday 27 August. 

Join us as we raise the flag and commemorate Pakistan's Independence Day.

The Higgins Bedford and Multiply are running a series of free workshops for adults who are looking to practice their numeracy skills through fun and social activities.

Whether that’s practicing shape and symmetry skills with origami or building your very own bee hotel to support our bee population, there’s something for everyone.

Join us as we raise the flag and commemorate India's Independence Day.

Calling all young inventors and builders! Bedford Central Library is excited to host a free LEGO Discover Day funded by BedfordBID.

This exciting event is designed to introduce children to the fascinating world of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) through the power of LEGO bricks.

There are two sessions for children aged 5 to 10 and a further session for children over 10. Places are limited to 30 per session so please book in advance.

Join Nature's Playground in Bedford town centre for a series of free, drop-in nature-based craft and play sessions for children aged 3 to 12 and their families.

There'll also be potion making, outdoor games, bubbles and colouring.

This will be running from 10am to 1pm.

This new event is organised by our Sports Development and Markets teams. It will raise awareness of physical activities available in Bedford and provide you the opportunity to try something new for free.

Activities include street dance, Bollywood dance, body combat classes, seated yoga and singing, and even a rhyme time for very small children. There'll also be free running tasters, badminton, pickleball and short tennis throughout both days.

Visit our Public Health Team and Better Bedford who will have information about the Healthwise programme. Learn about cancer screening, blood pressure testing and mental health information for the whole family.

These family focused events will run from 10am to 4pm, with the first hour of each day being dedicated for those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

Use the power of the sun to create beautiful images in these free cyanotype workshops for families.

The characteristic blue colour of cyanotypes stands out as the image is exposed to sunlight or UV light.

It is a photographic process where images are created using textures, stencils or old family photos.

Sessions run at 11.15am and 1.45pm and are suitable for ages 5 to 14, please book in advance.

Browse the beautiful collection of crafts, gifts, cakes and scented candles on the last Sunday of every month, until the end of October.

The craft market runs from 10am to 3.30pm.

Fynnius Fogg closes out the month with a fun-filled finale, this starts earlier than previous events at 2pm and finishes at 5pm.

This legendary 70’s pop group and charity band started playing pop and rock numbers together in the late 60’s.

They reformed at a reunion party in 1991 and have since raised money for various charities, rather than taking fees for gigs themselves.

Bring your picnic blanket, grab some snacks, and settle in for a delightful afternoon amongst the beautiful surroundings of the Embankment. There will be a limited number of deckchairs for visitors and people are welcome to bring along their own chairs too. 

Do you have concerns about your child's mental health?

Then come and chat to the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) Mental Health in Schools Team.

The team are offering all Bedford Borough parents of children aged five and over, the chance to chat, receive advice and get support for you and your family.

20-minute slots are available.

EAT Feast will have an array of international flavours from established food trucks and caterers in the local area, coming together to celebrate good food and great company.

In Joe Avati’s hilarious new show he asks you to leave your political correctness at the door.

Internationally renowned for his inimitable style Avati is a master of treading the very fine line of saying what everyone is thinking but nobody else dares to say.

This is a show for all the family!

Do you find maths a bit scary or do you know someone who would like some support?

Although it can sometimes feel challenging we all use numbers every day – at work, at home and when we’re out.

These different workshops help people to:

• build confidence managing money  
• confidently use maths at home and at work
• shop for less and learn to cook to suit your lifestyle
• support your children with homework
• unlock new career and learning opportunities
• achieve an accredited maths qualification.

As part of the Government’s Adult Numeracy programme known as Multiply, Bedford Borough Council has received funding to offer courses that will help you to improve your skills and confidence with maths.

Up to four hours free parking each day at Allhallows Car Park.

First two hours parking free in Queen Street Car Park.

Up to two hours every Saturday in all Council-owned town centre single and multi-storey car parks.

Free parking all day every Sunday in Council-owned town centre car parks and each day after 6pm in all town centre car parks, except for River Street.

Free on-street parking after 6pm, Monday to Saturday, except for Castle Lane which is 11pm.

Don't forget that bus fares are just £2, and the app operated secure cycle shelter is available on the corner of the Harpur Centre opposite St. Paul's Church - email highways.helpdesk@bedford.gov.uk with your full name, address, and contact number to register an account and find details of the app to gain entry.