Every time I step off the train for the university holidays, the first question that hangs in the air is, “So… what is there to do in Bedford?”
Stroll through the town centre, or glance at the shuttered buildings at Aspects, and you might answer, “Not much” – no wonder my friends joke about living in “Deadford.”
I’ve repeated the line myself, but this break, I decided to test it.
With a suspicion that I may just have been following a popular mantra and admittedly not searching too hard for things to do, I set about discovering what our town really has to offer for young adults.
Very quickly, the picture shifted. With a bit of initiative, you can fill an entire week without leaving the MK40 postcode.
Read: From lost memories to new beginnings, how Bedford can revive Aspects Leisure Park
‘Deadford’?
So, why does the “Bedford is boring” ideology stick? I believe it’s partly because the way we socialise has changed.
“You can make up your mind about going to an event in less than ten seconds,” says Gareth Barber, co-owner of live-music venue Esquires.
“Going online, watching a video, not liking the artwork” is enough to stay at home. He notes, “In the past, you would read about something and had to actually go out and see it before making a judgment.”
The town also under‑markets what it does have, especially to the 18–25 crowd.
“There’s room to do more in championing young adult voices and helping them find their niche here,” says Lauren Thompson, planning & insight executive at the Bedford College Group.
Even Peter McCormack, the local businessman best known for Real Bedford and a strong advocate for the town, recognises that there has been a “lack of investment” in opportunities for young people. This factor may have held back growth.
It’s not just about potential
With a mixture of generational changes and room for improvement in the town’s attitude towards young adults, I can see why some feel hard done by.
However, what this reveals is that while Bedford is short on engagement, it is not necessarily short on potential.
Thompson admits that Bedford can feel dull if “you’re not sure where to look or know what’s out there.” It’s a reminder that proactivity matters. Many of us are guilty of waiting for things to come to us, but the change comes when we start looking for ourselves.
So, what is there to do? I’ve explained why Bedford may have such a reputation, but let’s dispel this rumour.
Of course, once you do start looking, the list grows fast. You could catch an upcoming artist at Esquires, see a show at Castle Comedy Clubs, or browse The Clanger for more – from exhibitions to community events. It really is that simple; all you have to do is look.
After speaking to just one young Bedfordian, I saw the reality of what happens when you actually look.
Amelia Cremona acknowledges that Bedford isn’t “the most exciting place,” and that the “nightlife is questionable,” which, to be fair, I can attest to.
Still, she fills her time with trips to Box End Park, local events like Wingmania, bottomless brunches, and Proms in the Park. She makes the most of what’s on offer by downloading guides on her phone and following local Instagram accounts.
Thompson, who works with young adults and is only 26 herself, doesn’t consider the town boring, and for good reason.
Once she “started putting herself out there,” she got involved in volunteering with local charities, stewarding at concerts, joining the run club PlodSquad, and even racing in the Bedford River Festival’s Dragon Boat Race.
She’s also hoping to start mentoring through 4YP UK. That’s a pretty solid itinerary for anyone looking to get stuck in.
Building your own opportunities
Tom Carr, Sports Editor at the Bedford Independent, recommends getting involved with local sports teams, noting that “people have forged careers off the back of volunteering with local sports teams, whether that be playing, coaching or on the media side.”
More specifically, he describes the Bedford Blues Foundation as a “force to be reckoned with,” offering a wide range of opportunities for young adults, not just from a sporting side but also tutoring, mental health and inclusion.”
McCormack also encourages people to check out Bedford’s thriving non-league football clubs, which offer both entertainment and a strong sense of community.
But it doesn’t stop there – and it shouldn’t. Things are happening in Bedford, but if we’re going to continue complaining that there’s not enough, we also need to ask: what are we doing to change that?
As Barber puts it: “Crucially, it’s down to young people to make something for themselves, not rely on other people to do it for you.” He should know; he started promoting gigs at 18 because he didn’t like what was already on offer.
Read: Locals urged to secure the future of Esquires through pioneering community ownership project
Stop waiting, start shaping
That’s the challenge: stop waiting for Bedford to entertain us, and instead start shaping the kind of town we want to live in. Whatever event, social club or creative project you long for, don’t wait for someone older or official to hand it to you.
It’s worth remembering that everything established in Bedford started somewhere. At one point, a gap existed, and someone was willing to fill it.
Who’s to say that you, reading this now, couldn’t create the next football club, live music festival, or cultural event that people will still be supporting long after you’re gone?
Maybe the problem isn’t just Bedford; it’s how we look at it. If what we want isn’t here, then that’s a gap we can fill, not a verdict on the town.
You can call Bedford boring, or you can call it a blank canvas.
