cafe
Caffeine & Machine: The Bowl
The Bedfordshire location set in a dramatic former quarry bowl, opened in 2023 as the brand's third venue.
10 km · about 20 min drive
EuropeUnited KingdomEngland
Bedford
England, United Kingdom · Europe
About Bedford
Bedford works well as a base: 5 minutes from Clapham, 15km from Santa Pod Raceway.
Bedford is in England, United Kingdom, with about 110,000 people. You drive on the left here. The nearest town is Clapham, about 4 km away.
Bedford is a market town in Bedfordshire. At the 2021 Census, the population of its urban area was 167,446. Bedford is the county town of Bedfordshire and seat of the Borough of Bedford local government district.
Bedford was founded at a ford on the River Great Ouse and is thought to have been the burial place of KingRead more
Offa of Mercia, who is remembered for building Offa's Dyke on the Welsh border. Bedford Castle was built by Henry I, although it was destroyed in 1224. Bedford was granted borough status in 1166 and has been represented in Parliament since 1265. It is known for its large population of Italian descent.
Where to Stay in Bedford
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Explore the Area
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Bedford?
Within an hour or so of Bedford: Caffeine & Machine: The Bowl (10 km), Santa Pod Raceway (15 km), Aston Martin Works Heritage (18 km), Bletchley Park (24 km).
Are there any good drives near Bedford?
The nearest famous roads are Crystal Palace Circuit, Goodwood Festival of Speed and Monsal Trail.
Where is Bedford?
Bedford is in England, United Kingdom, about 4 km from Clapham.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 106,940
- Continent
- Europe
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Region
- England
- Timezone
- Europe/London
- Coordinates
- 52.1346, -0.4663
Emergency & Services
Essential numbers in United Kingdom
112 also works. NHS non-emergency medical advice: 111. National Highways breakdown assistance on motorways: 0300 123 5000.
Full driving guide for United KingdomTags
Worth the detour from Bedford
8 notable places within an hour's drive.
landmark
Santa Pod Raceway
Europe's premier drag racing venue in Northamptonshire, hosting iconic events like the FIA European Finals and Flame & Thunder.
15 km · about 30 min drive
landmark
Aston Martin Works Heritage
The spiritual home of Aston Martin at the original Newport Pagnell factory, offering heritage servicing, restoration, and sales.
18 km · about 20 min drive
museum
Bletchley Park
Victorian estate where Alan Turing and thousands of codebreakers cracked the German Enigma cipher, arguably shortening WWII by years. Restored huts, working Bombe machine, and the National Museum of Computing next door.
24 km · about 30 min drive
cafe
Super Sausage Cafe
Legendary transport cafe on the A5 Watling Street near Potterspury, a favourite fry-up stop for bikers and classic car runs heading between London and the Midlands since the 1960s.
31 km · about 35 min drive
landmark
ZSL Whipsnade Zoo
The UK's largest zoo set across 600 acres of Bedfordshire parkland with drive-through animal enclosures.
32 km · about 35 min drive
film location
Drayton House (Saltburn)
The private Northamptonshire country house used as the Catton family estate in Saltburn; visible from public rights of way only.
32 km · about 35 min drive
racetrack
Silverstone Circuit
The home of British motorsport, hosting the first ever F1 World Championship race in 1950
38 km · about 45 min drive
Driving roads near Bedford
3 named roads, passes and coastal drives within 150km.
- 40 kmThe Backs, CambridgeThe famous riverside meadows behind the Cambridge colleges, offering iconic views of King's College Chapel, the Bridge of Sighs and punts on the Cam.
Driving in United Kingdom
- Drives on
- the left
- Petrol
- ~€1.73/litre
- Motorway tolls
- None
When to drive here
April to October
Nearby Destinations
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