Discover how Luton’s community adapts to road closures and infrastructure upgrades, turning short-term disruption into long-term sustainability and resilience. Learn more now!
With hundreds of thousands of visitors expected to attend the Bedford River Festival this weekend (20 and 21 July), everyone is encouraged to plan their trip in advance. To help, Bedford Borough Council has listed all the details for getting to and from the events around the River Great Ouse in Bedford, whether you’re driving, using the bus, cycling, or walking.
Encouragement to Use Public Transportation
Cllr Andrea Spice (Conservative, Wixams and Wilstead), portfolio holder for economic growth, planning and prosperity at Bedford Borough Council, said: “This year, we’re encouraging everyone to consider walking, cycling, taking the bus, or using the train whenever possible.
“Not only is it a great way to reduce your carbon footprint, but it can also be a more relaxing and enjoyable way to start your festival experience.”
Buses
Bus fares remain just £2 for each journey, and extra buses will be running throughout the weekend to make getting to and from the festival a breeze.
Stagecoach has announced that festival-goers can now catch their East’s 3 Service between Fenlake Lovell Road and the Bus Station, 5 Service between Goldington Caxton Road and the Bus Station, and 6 Service between Brickhill Bourneside and the Bus Station – they will all run until 9:30pm. Those who are coming from Stevenage and Hitchin to Bedford can catch the 9D Service for only £2. In addition to its Saturday times, the service will also operate hourly on the Sunday.
Park & Ride with Free Parking
There will be two park & ride options with enhanced services during the festival.
- Elstow Park and Ride, MK42 9XF: Operated by Grant Palmer, buses will run every 15 minutes from 9am to 9.45pm on both days and cost £2 for any person per journey to and from Bedford town centre. The last bus from Bedford to Elstow Park and Ride will leave at 10pm.
- Mowsbury Park, MK41 8AH: A temporary park and ride site will be operated by Stagecoach. Buses will run every 15 minutes, dropping off and collecting at River Street, outside the old Tesco store. On Saturday, services run from 9am to 11pm, and on Sunday, these run from 9am to 9.30pm. The cost is £5 per adult, £3.50 per child (up to 16 years), and £12 for a family of up to 2 adults and 3 children (including return).
Train
Bedford River Festival is a short walk from Bedford train station. Follow the signs from the train station to Borough Hall. Turn right as you leave the station on Asburnham Road, turn left at the roundabout, and then turn right at the next roundabout. As you cross the bridge, you’ll see the festival.
If you are using the Marston Vale Line between Bedford and Bletchley, you can stop at Bedford St Johns Station, which is even closer to the River Festival. Return tickets are just £2, the normal Saturday service will be running, plus a special Sunday service for the River Festival.
Walking and Cycling
There is a free secure bike shelter in Harpur Square, Bedford town centre, where you can safely store your bike via a smartphone app. For more information, please contact [email protected], and they will email you the instructions.
Discover routes to walk, wheel, and cycle to the River Festival here.
Car Parking
On Saturday, Allhallows Car Park is free for the first four hours, Queen Street is free for the first two hours, and all council-owned town centre car parks are free from 6pm. All council-owned town centre car parks are free all day on Sundays.
Additional car parks have been created and are sponsored by Stagecoach. These will be found at Bedford International Athletics Stadium at £7 per vehicle per day and at Priory Country Park at £5 per vehicle per day. Only card payments will be accepted at these locations.
Blue Badge holders will have designated parking areas at Longholme Way, MK42 0BX, and at St. Mary’s Car Park, MK42 9AP, which are both hardstanding. There will also be designated Blue Badge parking at Bedford Athletic Stadium, but please be aware this is a grassed area. Blue Badge holders can also park for free in all Bedford Borough Council car parks; badges must be displayed at all times.
Learn about parking in Bedford Borough here.
Road Closures
Several roads will be closed during the festival. A map of the closures is available on the Bedford River Festival programme; these are the roads between the High Street and Newnham Avenue that are south of Castle Road. Residents living on these streets will have access with a valid permit.
For more information on the Bedford River Festival, including a full schedule of events, please visit the festival website here.
