Stewartby will mark its 100-year milestone next month (Saturday, 4 July 2026) with a free community celebration highlighting its history and its proposed selection as the home for the Universal United Kingdom Resort project.
The event will run from 12pm to 10pm at the Dave Law Sports Ground in the village. Local people and visitors can attend for free, and on-site parking is also free.
The day’s program includes a traditional village fun fair, artisan stalls, street food vendors, bars, and live music from local bands. A DJ set and a large-scale fireworks display will conclude the evening.
Brickmaking heritage meets theme park plans
Founded a century ago as a planned model community for brickworks employees, Stewartby remains one of the most architecturally distinct areas in Bedford Borough.
Read: The eyes of the world are now on Bedford as Universal United Kingdom Resort moves forward
Community members can look back at this industrial legacy through a historical timeline archive maintained by the parish council.
While honouring its past, the festival provides a platform to address a development that could bring global attention and long-term investment to the Bedfordshire region.
The proposed Universal Destinations & Experiences project aims to build a major resort on the edge of the village.
Neighbours looking for further details about the centenary event or the village heritage archive can contact Stewartby and Kempston Hardwick Parish Council, Cllr Lee Melville, via email at lmelville@stewartbykhparishcouncil.gov.uk.
