Bedford Tourism Office

Works began in March 2007 on the redevelopment of Castle Lane, the area, linking the Cultural Quarter and the High Street. Castle Quay is now open and is already breathing new life into the Town Centre. This exciting development provides a new location for modern town centre living with its 103 residential apartments. The complex also integrates 3 restaurants and 8 specialist retail units adding further variety to the shopping and dining offer in the town.

The Castle Quay development officially opened in March 2009 and embraces the rich heritage of this area of the town and in a setting, alongside Castle Bailey Gardens, the open air archaeology park and the Lime Kiln Vault, provide a fitting gateway to the Cultural Quarter and the refurbished Museum and Art Galleries once the £11.3 million, phased, improvement works are complete in 2011. The first phase, the restoration and reinstatement of Bedford Gallery was opened in April 2009

St Cuthbert’s Church Paves the Way.

The first phase of the enhancement scheme to improve the environs of St Cuthbert’s Church is now complete. The improvements included reinstating and improving the hard and soft landscaping and restoration of the walls and footpaths around the perimeter of the church. St Cuthbert’s Church is on the edge of the Cultural Quarter adjacent to Bedford i-kan, a period building renovated in 2008 providing modern office accommodation for Bedford’s budding entrepreneurs.

The Re-opening of Bedford’s Church Square

Bedford’s Church Square is an important public open space and lies at the heart of the pedestrianised zone. This area has undergone a major transformation as part of an improvement scheme which has created a new focal point for the town centre. A water fountain creates a sense of tranquillity whilst selected motifs depicting Bedford’s past have been placed amongst the natural stone paving and record the story of the Square’s history since the 19th Century. Along with new seating, tree planting and feature lighting, which will illuminate the buildings around the square at night, the improvements create a pleasant and relaxing environment.

Further Improvements to look forward to…

Bedford Town Centre West Redevelopment

This £200 million scheme received planning permission in September 2007. The plans include:

• major department store
• additional retail food store
• 40 new retail units
• 6 restaurants and bars
• leisure/ multiplex
• up to 330 residential units
• replacement multi-storey car park (up to 950 spaces)

The scheme will provide a distinctive and refreshing shopping experience, allowing for wider ranging levels of retail and leisure uses alongside many independent, specialist retailers and some of the finest open air markets in the country.

Bedford Station Quarter

The creation of a new railway station development will provide a public transport interchange linked to the £5.5bn Thameslink improvement project; helping put Bedford Railway Station and the area as a whole firmly on the map. Plans include an extension to the station platforms and a new office hub and residential units, providing a first class environment in which to live and work.

Riverside Square

This £20 million redevelopment scheme for Bedford’s Riverside Square will include a new pedestrian/cyclist bridge, 149 residential units and 5 restaurants/cafes.

With an unrivalled waterfront location, Riverside Square will be an impressive, landmark development bringing added activity and interest to the river west of Town Bridge including a signature building with a south facing piazza overlooking the River Great Ouse.