Top Bedford Landmarks-00-5139

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River Ouse

Bed stands for Beda, an Anglo-Saxon name. Then there’s the River Ouse, a wide waterway that needed fording and which gave the town the other part of its name. Running through the town’s centre like an artery bearing oxygen, the Ouse connects Bedford all the way to the North Sea at the Wash. With a total length of 143 miles, it is the UK’s fourth longest river and drains an enormous area of land, regularly flooding downstream of Bedford in winter. Spanning the river today is Bedford Bridge, an elegant structure faced in Portland stone that replaced an earlier medieval bridge in 1813. From today’s bridge, you can enjoy lengthy riverside walks in both directions, much of the walk being in parkland.

A Famous Son

John Bunyan was born into a working class family during 1628 in Bedfordshire, and somehow managed to achieve literacy. Beginning as a tinker, he joined Cromwell’s army and adopted a religious life after he left military service. He took to preaching in Bedford at a time when only licensed preachers were allowed to do so, and was eventually jailed for 12 years after ...
... refusing to stop. It was here that he wrote the famous Pilgrim’s Progress, an allegorical work that helped secure religious freedom. Today, the site of his jail is in Silver Street and there is also a Bunyan Museum in Mill Street.

Bedford Castle Mound

Since the 9th century, Bedford was considered to be a sufficiently important place to warrant military protection, first with a fort on the south bank and later a fine castle on the north side. Today, there only remains an earth mound but the castle experienced a colourful history, including various sieges, battles and executions before being dismantled on the orders of King John. Today’s visitors can climb up to the grassy top for a fine view of the river and town, fortunately without risk of attack.

Priory Country Park

On the eastern outskirts of Bedford is Priory Country Park, 360 acres of waterside meadowland where you can go cycling, fishing, walking, sailing, canoeing, kite flying or just sit by the River Ouse.

Bromham Mill and Bridge

Alternatively, you can head about two-and-a-half miles west for more waterside interest by visiting the historic 17th century Bromham Water Mill... The adjacent Bromham Bridge has a total of 26 spans, testifying to the way this river can sometimes break out from its banks in wet weather. When you tire of all that water activity, why not visit the various markets that take place in town; from flowers to food, there’s something for everyone.

Another feature of Bedfordshire is its strategic location, making it a good base for touring the surrounding area. Milton Keynes with its shopping and leisure facilities is only about 30 minutes away, as is Northampton, and there’s also the idyllic city of Cambridge at a similar distance, where once again you can enjoy being by the river, only this time it’s the Cam…

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http://www.bedfordshire-news.co.uk/Home/ is home to many fascinating landmarks, making it the perfect destination for anyone interested in history. Visit the Bedfordshire on Sunday website for the latest information about landmarks and other attractions in http://www.bedfordshire-news.co.uk/Home/.