Bedford Association of Tour Guides

11/06/2025

Join Bedford tour guides tomorrow, Thursday 12th June, for a guided tour of St. Paul's Church. Discover the rich history of the Church that has been at the very heart of Bedford life for centuries. Find out why St. Paul's has been virtually demolished five times; the crucial part it played in our nation's 'darkest hour' and, who Patience Johnson was.

Bookings can be made at the new Visitor Centre in Silver Street or through the Higgins website. Bookings must be made by 4 pm today (Wednesday). The meeting point for the start of this tour is on the steps of the Harpur Suite, Harpur Square at 11 am on Thursday 12th June.

Book at https://www.thehigginsbedford.org.uk/Whats_on/Guided_Walks.aspx.

Enter code HIGGINS30 to remove the transaction fee when you book.

06/06/2025

Join Bedford tour guides on Sunday 8th June for a guided walk in the footsteps of John Bunyan, Bedford's most famous son. How did this simple tinker become a preacher, pastor and author of one of the most widely published books ever? We will take you back in time to Bunyan's Bedford and to one of the greatest stories, which spread throughout the world.

Book online through the Higgins website. Bookings must be made by 4 pm tomorrow (Saturday). We look forward to meeting you on the steps of the Harpur Suite at 11 am on Sunday.

Book at https://www.thehigginsbedford.org.uk/Whats_on/Guided_Walks.aspx.

Enter code HIGGINS30 to remove the transaction fee when you book.

23/05/2025

Responding to requests from some of our regular walkers, Bedford Tour Guides have created a new walk for 2025. On Sunday 25th May, we take in some of the highlights on the South Bank of the River, west of the Town Bridge.

The Anglo Saxon Chronicle in 915 attributes the settlement South of the river to King Edward the Elder. During the latter half of the 20th Century, the south of Bedford changed dramatically as modern development took place. We reveal 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, TWICE, CROSSES UNDER A LOW BRIDGE OF 4’ 9” HEIGHT ON THE ROUTE**.

The meeting point for the start of this walk is on the steps of the Harpur Suite in Harpur Square - we look forward to meeting you there AT 11.00 on Sunday.

[Can you guess where this week's picture is?]

Bookings through the Higgins website must be made by 4 pm tomorrow (Saturday).

Book at https://www.thehigginsbedford.org.uk/Whats_on/Guided_Walks.aspx.

Enter code HIGGINS30 to remove the transaction fee when you book.

16/05/2025

King John of England is buried in Worcester Cathedral, but what is his connection to Bedford Castle and its ultimate destruction? You can find out by walking with Bedford Tour Guides this Sunday 18th May. This walk tells the fascinating story of the rise & fall of Bedford Castle. If you have ever wondered why we have a mound but no Castle on it; this walk is for you!

We offer excellent value at £4 per ticket, which can be booked online through the Higgins website. Bookings must be made by 4 pm tomorrow (Saturday). We look forward to meeting you on the steps of the Harpur Suite, in Harpur Square at 11 am on Sunday.

Book at https://www.thehigginsbedford.org.uk/Whats_on/Guided_Walks.aspx.

Enter code HIGGINS30 to remove the transaction fee when you book.


[Picture: King John's tomb in Worcester Cathedral. source: S. Barratt]

09/05/2025

Who were the Movers and Shakers of Bedford and how did they influence the development and growth of our town? Find out who developed the mugshot and reduced crime. Walk with us to hear many other interesting, little known, facts about some of our enterprising and philanthropic Bedfordians.

Join Bedford tour guides this Sunday 11th May for a guided walk around Bedford 'New Town'. The simplest way to book is online through the Higgins website. Bookings must be made by 4 pm tomorrow (Saturday). The meeting point for this walk is at the top of Allhallows in front of the Prison. We look forward to meeting you there at 11 am on Sunday!

Book at https://www.thehigginsbedford.org.uk/Whats_on/Guided_Walks.aspx.

Enter code HIGGINS30 to remove the transaction fee when you book.


[Photo: an early mugshot: but what was his crime? source: Bedfordshire Archives]

06/05/2025

Ahead of VE day on Thursday, Bedford Tour Guides will take you on a walking tour of Bedford in World War II on Wednesday 7th May.

Walk with us to discover how Bedford became “somewhere in England” and the important part that Bedford played during the war.

The simplest way to book is online through the Higgins website. Tickets cost £4 and bookings must be made by 4 pm today. We look forward to meeting you on the steps of the Harpur Suite at 11 am on Wednesday.

Book at https://www.thehigginsbedford.org.uk/Whats_on/Guided_Walks.aspx.

Enter code HIGGINS30 to remove the transaction fee when you book.


(photo: VE Day 8th May 1945; street party organised by residents of Kirkman Close. Source: Bedfordshire Archives)

04/05/2025

We are so sorry to have had to cancel our Bunyan tour this morning. Unfortunately we are unable to guide a walk with less than two people. We hope you are all enjoying your bank holiday weekend.

Please do join us for our midweek walk at 11.00 am on Wednesday, the 7th of May when, appropriately, just ahead of VE Day, we will be  guiding “ Bedford in World War II”. This includes a fascinating dive into Bedford’s secret role during the war. 

Book at https://www.thehigginsbedford.org.uk/Whats_on/Guided_Walks.aspx.

Enter code HIGGINS30 to remove the transaction fee when you book.

Guided Walks with Bedford Association of Tour Guides

03/05/2025

The blue plaque says “In this house John Bunyan sought spiritual help from John Gifford in the 1650’s” but where is it?

Join Bedford Tour Guides for a guided walking tour around our town, following in the footsteps of John Bunyan, Bedford‘s most famous son. We will be leaving from the steps of the Harpur suite on Sunday 4th May at 11 am.

The quickest and simplest way to book is online through the Higgins website. Bookings must be made by 4 pm today(Saturday). We offer great value at £4 per person. The weather looks great and we would love you to join us. We look forward to meeting you on the steps of the Harpur Suite at 11 am tomorrow.

Book at https://www.thehigginsbedford.org.uk/Whats_on/Guided_Walks.aspx.

Enter code HIGGINS30 to remove the transaction fee when you book.
#

25/04/2025

Where were these cottages in Bedford and what happened to them?

Find out by joining our “Jewel in the Crown” guided walking tour on Sunday 27th April 2025. We will walk and talk you through Bedford’s recent and ancient past. Your walk along Bedford’s ‘Jewel’, the Embankment, will never be the same again!!

The simplest way to book is online through the Higgins website. Bookings must be made by 4 pm tomorrow (Saturday). We look forward to meeting you on the steps of the Harpur Suite at 11 am on Sunday.

Book at https://www.thehigginsbedford.org.uk/Whats_on/Guided_Walks.aspx.

Enter code HIGGINS30 to remove the transaction fee when you book.

11/04/2025

You don’t have to wait until Universal Studios arrives to be entertained in Bedford!

Join Bedford Tour Guides this Sunday, 13th April, for a guided walk of Bedford Castle. Walk with us through history and our very own Ancient Monument. Find out why King Henry III spent a summer in Bedford in 1224.

The easiest way to book is online through the Higgins website. Bookings must be made by 4 pm tomorrow (Saturday). We look forward to meeting you on the steps of the Harpur Suite at 11 am on Sunday.

Book at https://www.thehigginsbedford.org.uk/Whats_on/Guided_Walks.aspx.

Enter code HIGGINS30 to remove the transaction fee when you book.

05/04/2025

We are back! Bedford Association of Tour Guides new season starts on Sunday, the 13th of April 2025. Check out our new walks for this year on the Higgins website, where you can book for any of our 2025 walking tours. 

On Sunday, the 13th of April, step back with us to 1224 and discover what happened to our Castle 800 years ago as we plot “The Rise and Fall of Bedford Castle”. Find out more about Falkes de Breaute, the Robber Baron of Bedford!

Book at https://www.thehigginsbedford.org.uk/Whats_on/Guided_Walks.aspx.

The meeting point for the start of this walk is in front of the Harpur Suite in Harpur Square 

Enter code HIGGINS30 to remove the transaction fee when you book.

08/12/2024

Our very own David Fowler will be doing walks and talks during the Glenn Miller Memorial Weekend in Bedford on Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th December. Book a free guided tour around Bedford and learn about Bedford in WWII, leaving the Harpur Suite at 11am on both Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th December www.thehigginsbedford.org.uk or join David’s fascinating talk about Bedford and the BBC in WWII on Saturday 14th December, 1.30pm https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1083518826979?aff=oddtdtcreator or Sunday 15th December, 1.30pm https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1083489288629?aff=oddtdtcreator.

A BIG announcement!...
As many of you know, I am based in Bedford, and Bedford was the UK base of legendary band leader Glenn Miller. I am super excited to let you all know that I am organising a full commemorative weekend for the 80th anniversary of his loss. Events will be in the Harpur Suite, part of the Corn Exchange, the location of one of his rare public dance events.

Events on both days include free Lindy Hop taster sessions with Swingsters and foxtrot and party dances with Ruzzit Buzzit. There will be a free tea dance both afternoons, free talks and tours, WWII vehicles and much more. And, the Control Tower Museum at the Twinwood airfield will be open on Sunday 15th, and there be a memorial service on site as part of the commemorate events. So, book in for the weekend!

There is also a ticketed dance on the evening of Saturday 14th December. Tickets are on sale now; here's the link
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/glenn-miller-memorial-dance-tickets-1070902661689. The dance features the Harborough Big Band, Al Ruzzit Buzzit and your host Viv The Spiv.

I'll be posting up more details as we go along!