Bedford Association of Tour Guides

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Walk with the Tour Guides to learn about...

• The time when Bedford was a frontier town at the edge of Viking badlands.
• Bedford Castle: Falkes de Breaute the High Sherriff of Bedfordshire & Buckinghamshire whose nine years as Castellan of Bedford Castle were ended in 1224 by King Henry III following the great siege of Bedford Castle.
• Why the churches of St. Paul’s & St. Peter’s have played such an important part in the history of the town.
• Bedford’s own Dick Whittington – William Harpur by name – who became Lord Mayor of London in 1561 and with his new found wealth endowed Bedford’s Grammar School giving rise to today’s Harpur Trust
• John Bunyan: Discover The Life & Times of Bedford’s most famous son, the author of The Pilgrim’s Progress.
• Panacea Society: The amazing story of the religious community, the Panacea Society.
• Bedford in WWII: Why a certain American Big Band helped to get Bedford ‘In the Mood’ in World War II.
• Movers & Shakers: How Bedford developed during the Victorian era and the people who helped shape that development.
• The stories behind some of the blue plaques that adorn several buildings around the town.
• The medieval past and the more recent lost industry, buildings, public houses and the importance of Bedford’s South Bank to the development of the town.

Walk details

The Movers and Shakers walk will depart from St. Loyes Street, opposite Bedford Prison and the Tour of St. Peter’s Church will start at the main entrance to St. Peter’s Church in De Parys Avenue. All other walks will depart from the steps of The Harpur Suite in Harpur Square. All walks commence at 11:00.

Each walk is of 90 minutes - 2 hours duration and covers a distance of 1-2 miles, most walks are suitable for people who are less mobile. Please confirm ease of access when booking.

Children are welcome on all of our walks but must be accompanied by an adult. Each walk costs £4.00 per adult or £2.00 for children over 8. All walks must be pre-booked.

Online booking

Please select here to visit The Higgins Bedford website to book online. Use the code HIGGINS30 to remove the transaction fee at the checkout.

Our regular Walks are...

A tour of St. Paul's Church

St. Paul’s church has been at the centre of Bedford’s life for over one thousand years and has many stories to tell. Join us on a tour of this beautiful church in the heart of Bedford as we tell its story.

I Never Knew That

The most commonly heard phrase after the completion of a Guided Walk. This Walk encompasses all that information about Bedford and its many features that YOU never knew!

Bedford’s Movers & Shakers

You will know of the “mugshot”, but did you know it was first introduced into the criminal justice system by Robert Evan Roberts, a reforming governor of Bedford prison in Victorian times? Join us on this walk and meet Roberts and others who made a difference in Bedford and in the world: an astronomer, a polar explorer, the first woman county councillor and discover how some of the most attractive private dwellings in Bedford came to grace this area of the town.

 

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The Life And Times of John Bunyan

Bedford's most famous son. Born in Elstow parish but spent much of his life in Bedford and, in particular, in Bedford gaol. Visit the site of the cottage in which John and his family lived, the churches in which he worshipped and the site of the gaol in which he spent 12 long years and wrote The Pilgrim’s Progress.

Bedford in World War II

One of our most popular walks revealing the secrets and mysteries of life in Bedford during World War II. What famous people were here and why? What was meant by the BBC during the War when announcing a programme from "Somewhere In England"? And why has Bedford been called “the Spy Capital of Britain”?

The Rise and Fall of Bedford Castle

The Normans were swift on their arrival in this country to build a castle of great size in Bedford. Discover the castle's story and why it was demolished.

 

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The Jewel in the Crown

The Jewel in Bedford's Crown is undoubtedly the River Great Ouse and its Embankment. Find out how the construction of this part of the town came about and hear about the many important features which stand on either side of the river and which can easily be overlooked.

A tour of St. Peter's Church

St. Peter’s church is one of the oldest Saxon churches in Bedfordshire. It has withstood attacks by the Vikings and the Normans and two world wars and has played an important part in the history and development of Bedford. Join our guides on a tour of this historic church and discover its story.

Plaques & Plinths

Have you ever wondered about the stories behind some of the blue plaques that adorn several buildings around the town or wanted to know more about some of the statues and monuments that grace the town centre? This walk will reveal the stories behind the Plaques & Plinths and why such recognition is warranted.

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Bedford's South Bank Show

The settlement south of the river is attributed in the Anglo Saxon Chronicle in 915 to King Edward the Elder. During the latter half of the 20th Century, the south of Bedford changed dramatically as modern development took place. This walk reveals the medieval past and the more recent lost industry, buildings, public houses and the importance of Bedford’s South Bank to the development of the town. PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS WALK CROSSES UNDER A LOW BRIDGE OF 4’ 9” HEIGHT TWICE ON ROUTE.

Guided Walks Programme 2025

Please see details of our planned walks below. For more information please contact us on info@bedfordtourguides.org

Please note: that the minimum number of people required to book for the walk to go ahead is two people.

Gift Vouchers

How about something different for a birthday, anniversary or celebration? Gift Vouchers for our walks are available from £40.00. Please email info@bedfordtourguides.org for further information.

Online booking

Please select here to visit The Higgins Bedford website to book online. Use the code HIGGINS30 to remove the transaction fee at the checkout.

How to book step-by-step guide

1) Select any walk from the walks listed below and The Higgins Bedford website will open

2) Select the 'Book Online' link at the top of the page or via the menu

3) Select the month you wish to book for under the 'What's On' heading

4) Scroll down and select a walk

5) Select 'Book now'

6) Enter the code HIGGINS30 to remove the transaction fee

7) Checkout: If you already have an account from booking Corn Exchange or The Higgins Bedford tickets in the past please use these details, if not, please register for a new account

Date	Walk
Sunday 13 April	The Rise and Fall of Bedford Castle
Saturday 19 April	I Never Knew That
Sunday 27 April	The Jewel in Bedford's Crown
Sunday 4 May	The Life and Times of John Bunyan
Wednesday 7 May	Bedford in World War II
Sunday 11 May	Bedford’s Movers and Shakers
Sunday 18 May	The Rise and Fall of Bedford Castle
Sunday 25 May	Bedford's South Bank Show
Wednesday 28 May	The Jewel in Bedford’s Crown
Sunday 1 June	Bedford in World War II
Wednesday 4 June	I Never Knew That
Sunday 8 June	The Life and Tims of John Bunyan
Thursday 12 June	A Tour of St. Paul's Church
Sunday 15 June	The Rise and Fall of Bedford Castle
Sunday 22 June	Bedford's South Bank Show
Wednesday 25 June	A Tour of St. Peter's Church
Sunday 29 June	The Jewel in Bedford’s Crown
Wednesday 2 July	Bedford in World War II
Sunday 6 July	I Never Knew That
Sunday 13 July	The Life and Times of John Bunyan
Thursday 17 July	A Tour of St. Paul's Church
Sunday 20 July	Bedford’s Movers and Shakers
Sunday 27 July	The Rise and Fall of Bedford Castle
Wednesday 30 July	A Tour of St. Peter’s Church
Sunday 3 August	Bedford In World War II
Wednesday 6 August	I Never Knew That
Sunday 10 August	Plaques & Plints
Thursday 14 August	A Tour of St. Paul's Church
Sunday 17 August	Bedford’s Movers and Shakers
Saturday 23 August	The Jewel in Bedford’s Crown
Wednesday 27 August	A Tour of St. Peter's Church
Sunday 31 August	Bedford's South Bank Show
Wednesday 3 September	Bedford in World War II
Sunday 7 September	The Life and Times of John Bunyan
Sunday 14 September	Plaques & Plinths
Thursday 18 September	A Tour of St. Paul's Church
Sunday 21 September	The Rise and Fall of Bedford Castle
Wednesday 24 September	A Tour of St. Peter's Church
Wednesday 1 October	Bedford’s Movers and Shakers
Sunday 5 October	I Never Knew That
Sunday 12 October	The Life and Times of John Bunyan
Sunday 19 October	The Rise and Fall of Bedford Castle
Sunday 26 October	Plaques & Plinths
Wednesday 29 October	The Jewel In Bedford's Crown

Online booking

Please select here to visit The Higgins Bedford website to book online. Use the code HIGGINS30 to remove the transaction fee at the checkout.

Bespoke Walks

Bespoke walks for groups, companies and organisations

In addition to our regular programme of walks, we are happy to lead walks and tours specifically requested by groups or organisations. Please email info@bedfordtourguides.org for more information. Prices for 2025 groups are are £4.00 per adult, £2.00 for children over 8, or a minimum charge of £40.00 per group.

Talks

Among the topics currently available are; The BBC and Glenn Miller in WW2 Bedford; The Rise, Fall and Rise Again of The Cardington Airships; The Rise & Fall of Bedford Castle; John Howard the Prison Reformer and Colonel Frederick Burnaby – Victorian Superman. For other topics, please ask.

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For Schools

We also offer specific Walks and Tours as requested by any school or college. Please contact info@bedfordtourguides.org for details.