The Clanger’s what’s on guide lands every Wednesday and is the only guide you need to find out what’s on and what’s happening across the Borough for the next 11 days.
The Bedford Clanger’s What’s On Guide is kindly sponsored by Bedford Esquires.
Until Saturday, 5 September
Local history: Howard 300 – celebrating the life of the pioneering prison reformer
Basement@Bunyan @ 11am – 4pm
Free entry
Many people will recognise John Howard’s statue in St Paul’s Square, but how much do you really know about the man behind the monument?
A pioneering prison reformer, Howard’s famous work, The State of the Prisons in England and Wales transformed attitudes towards prison conditions and continues to influence the justice system today.
Hosted in the Basement@Bunyan, the exhibition brings together a collection of historical artefacts alongside items from HMP Bedford. Visitors will also have the opportunity to read inspiring creative writing pieces produced by current prisoners at HMP Bedford, offering a thought-provoking perspective that connects Howard’s legacy with the present day.
Curator, Elisha Breed said ‘It is an honour to put together an exhibition which highlights a man who fought hard for change for so many.”
The exhibition is supported by Museum Development South East and Arts Council England.
Thursday, 20 August 2026
Walking: “A Tour of St Paul’s Church” guided walk
Bedford Town Centre @ 11am at the What’s On Hub in Silver Square
Tickets: £4/£2 (Please use the code HIGGINS30 to remove the transaction fee)
St. Paul’s church has been at the centre of Bedford’s life for over one thousand years and has many stories to tell. Join us on a tour of this beautiful church in the heart of Bedford as we tell its story.
Join the Association of Bedford Tour Guides for one of their fascinating weekly walks. Each walk is of 90 minutes to two hours duration and covers a distance of one or two miles. Most walks are suitable for people who are less mobile.
Children of all ages are most welcome on all of the walks but those aged 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Each walk costs £4 per adult or £2 for children over 8. All walks must be pre-booked.
Thursday, 20 August 2026
Gardens: Afternoon Tea at Kathy Brown’s Garden
The Manor House, Church Road, Stevington MK43 7QB @ 2pm – 5pm
Tickets: £30.00 (booking required)
Indulge in an exclusive afternoon hosted by Kathy Brown in her beautiful Stevington garden. Guests will take a guided tour around the grounds before learning about Kathy’s special baking recipes featuring ingredients harvested directly from the garden.
The event concludes with a full afternoon tea complete with savoury scones, homemade speciality cakes, and a varied selection of drinks including tea, tisanes, coffees, and apple and pear juice made from the fruit from Kathy’s orchard.
Thursday, 20 August 2026
Live Music: Golomb Bedford
Esquires, 60A Bromham Road, Bedford MK40 2QG @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £10
Rising alternative outfit Golomb take the stage at Esquires for an evening of hypnotic rhythms and atmospheric melodies. Known for their compelling live performances, the group continues to gain traction across the UK underground scene.
Support acts will round off a great showcase of fresh original music.
Friday, 21 August 2026
Children’s Theatre: The Cursed Ring
The Place Theatre, Bradbourne Road, Bedford MK42 9JJ @ 7.00pm
Tickets: From £16.00
Quill and Inkling presents a mythical adventure retelling epic Viking sagas. Centred around a forged ring of power, the story follows valiant heroes, elusive dwarves, ferocious dragons, and meddling gods.
Filled with dramatic storytelling and imaginative staging, it is a thrilling theatrical experience for brave young audience members and families.
Friday, 21 August 2026 – Saturday, 22 August 2026
Festival: HMS Festival 2026
Bedford Esquires, 60A Bromham Road, Bedford MK40 2QG @ 7.00pm
Tickets: £18
Established in 2024, The Heavy Metal Syndicate (HMS) brings together bands and like-minded individuals to celebrate the very best of local rock and metal at Bedford Esquires.
This year it returns bigger, louder, and better than ever. Across two days, the festival will once again showcase some of the finest local rock and metal acts alongside exciting talent from further afield.
Saturday, 22 August 2026
Walking: North Bedfordshire Ramblers’ weekly walk
Venue/where to meet: Car Park off Sandy Lane(A600) @ 10am
A 12-mile circular walk toward Clophill and Haynes, then returning to Rowney Warren. Some parts of the walk take in the Greensand Ridge.
Please bring a drink, snack or lunch as the group always stops for a break. Check out the North Bedfordshire Ramblers’ excellent website for further information.
Saturday, 22 August 2026
Gardens: Open Garden
Kathy Brown’s Garden, The Manor House, Church Road, Stevington MK43 7QB @ 10.30am – 1pm & 2pm – 4.30pm
Tickets: £11.00 adults / £5.50 children
Enjoy a late summer visit to Kathy Brown’s garden in Stevington. Take in the vibrant perennial borders and peaceful gardens at your leisure.
Saturday, 22 August 2026
Walking: North Bedfordshire Ramblers’ weekly walk
Venue/where to meet: Little Staughton Church. Meet by All Saints Church, on Church Lane. Park considerately towards the end of Church Lane, nearest to the church @ 1.30pm
A five-and-a-half-mile circular walk from Little Staughton.
Please bring a drink, snack or lunch as the group always stops for a break. Check out the North Bedfordshire Ramblers’ excellent website for further information.
Sunday, 23 August 2026
Walking: “The Jewel in Bedford’s Crown” guided walk
Bedford Town Centre @ 11am at the What’s On Hub in Silver Square
Tickets: £4/£2 (Please use the code HIGGINS30 to remove the transaction fee)
The Jewel in Bedford’s Crown is undoubtedly the River Great Ouse and its Embankment. This entertainig and informative circular walk takes you along the banks of the river, which has been described as one of the finest riverside settings in England. Learn the story of the Victorian Embankment development and enjoy a walk in the ornamental gardens.
Join the Association of Bedford Tour Guides for one of their fascinating weekly walks. Each walk is of 90 minutes to two hours duration and covers a distance of one or two miles. Most walks are suitable for people who are less mobile.
Children of all ages are most welcome on all of the walks but those aged 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Each walk costs £4 per adult or £2 for children over 8. All walks must be pre-booked.
Sunday, 23 August 2026
Live Music: Music in the Meadows featuring South Beds Concert Band
The Bandstand, Mill Meadows, Bedford MK42 0BS @ 3pm – 5pm
Tickets: Free / all welcome
The perfect way to round off your weekend in Bedford – with a free open-air concert performed by the South Beds Concert Band.
The band will be playing from their rich repertoire of classic wind band arrangements, including popular movie themes and traditional brass tunes.
Tuesday, 25 August
Creativity: The Circus of Illustration presents Drink and Draw
The Park pub, Kimbolton Road @ 7.30pm
Free. No need to book, just turn up
£2 donation welcome
Join The Circus of Illustration to create your own tiny storybook. Roll some Rory’s Story Cubes as inspiration and write and illustrate your miniature masterpiece.
Bring your preferred drawing materials or use theirs. These relaxed drink and draws are suitable for adults of all levels of artists and illustrators. New people always welcome.
Wednesday, 26 August
Walking: “A Tour of St Peter’s Church” guided walk
Bedford Town Centre @ 11am at the What’s On Hub in Silver Square
Tickets: £4/£2 (Please use the code HIGGINS30 to remove the transaction fee)
St. Peter’s church is one of the oldest Saxon churches in Bedfordshire. It has withstood attacks by the Vikings and the Normans and two world wars and has played an important part in the history and development of Bedford. Join our guides on a tour of this historic church and discover its story.
Join the Association of Bedford Tour Guides for one of their fascinating weekly walks. Each walk is of 90 minutes to two hours duration and covers a distance of one or two miles. Most walks are suitable for people who are less mobile.
Children of all ages are most welcome on all of the walks but those aged 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Each walk costs £4 per adult or £2 for children over 8. All walks must be pre-booked.
Thursday, 27 August
Summer Holiday Fun: Crafty Thursdays
John Bunyan Museum & Library, Mill Street, MK40 3EU @ 11am – 3pm
Tickets: £2 per child (drop-in)
Drop in for creative, family-friendly craft activities hosted at the John Bunyan Museum. Perfect for keeping children entertained over the final week of the summer holidays.
Friday, 28 – Monday, 31 August 2026
Vintage: Twinwood Festival
Twinwood Arena, Clapham, MK41 6AB
Tickets: £164 / £75 / £43
This year marks the 25th anniversary of Twinwood – the Clapham-based festival that is one of the most beloved vintage music events in the world.
From its origins as a Glenn Miller tribute concert, the four-day event, which takes place over the August bank holiday weekend, now attracts thousands of vintage music and dance enthusiasts to the Bedfordshire countryside.
Read: Twinwood Festival celebrates 25 years of vintage music, fashion, and heritage
Throughout the weekend, the festival site will be awash with zoot suits and victory rolls, polka-dot tea dresses and fedoras. You’ll be transported back to a bygone era, with period details wherever you look.
Friday, 28 August
Live music: The Smyths – The Queen is Dead 40th anniversary show
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £5 – £20
2026 will mark the 40th anniversary of the release of Morrissey and Marr’s magnum opus, ‘The Queen is Dead’, often considered The Smiths greatest album and possibly one of the best records of all time.
In celebration of this, The Smyths will be playing the album in full, as well as all the other hits and songs that saved your life…
Saturday, 29 August
Charity: The Black Tom Jumble Trail and fundraising day
The streets of Black Tom/Prime Ministers
Free
The original and the best – the Black Tom Jumble Trail is back, and it’s the perfect place to browse and find a bargain on the streets of Prime Ministers.
Clothes, toys, bric-a-brac, art, furniture, tools, collectables and more.
All stall fee proceeds will be donated to the Burnaby Arms Defibrillator Fundraiser and there are loads of other ways to get involved on the day, including a community rounders match in Bedford Park and a barbecue and Rock & Roll Bingo at the Burnaby Arms.
Read: Burnaby Arms leads summer of fundraising for life-saving Black Tom defibrillator
All for a very good cause.
Saturday, 29 August
Festivals: Deaf Jam Project Presents Free Festival of Inclusion
Addison Centre, Kempston @ midday – 9pm
Free entry
A day of celebration and inclusion for the whole community, hosted by the Deaf DJ House Poet. The festival will feature Alan Chan, celebrity singer from The Voice UK, and music of all genres, including hip hop, garage, house and DnB.
There will be live DJs, world music, spoken word, games and chill-out areas, as well as food and drink vendors.
Get your tickets here.
Saturday, 29 August
Children’s Theatre: The Ultimate Bubble Show
The Place Theatre @ 11am & 1pm`
Tickets: from £10
Ray Bubbles, International Bubbleologist and World Record Holder, is on a mission to master the art of bubble-making and create the ultimate square bubble!
This show promises a whirlwind of excitement and surprises, as Ray uses various different gases to craft stunning bubble sculptures, effects, and magical displays.
Prepare to be amazed as Ray creates a volcano bubble, a soap bubble carousel, a bubble ghost, and even a tornado inside a bubble!
The show was inspired by Ray’s work with SEND schools, adult neurodivergent groups, and science centres across Europe.
The performance is suitable for children and adults with additional needs.
Saturday, 29 August
Food & drink: FoodDrunk Festival – street food | DJs | live music | craft cider
Bedford Esquires @ 1pm
Free entry
Esquires’ last alldayer of the summer returns on Bank Holiday Saturday.
Taking over the indoor and outdoor spaces and featuring the finest in street food, entertainment will be provided by DJs curated by Roll Your Own Records and some of the best local artists in the live rooms.
Final line-up TBC.
Saturday, 29 August
Live music: TRUE ORDER – The Sound Of New Order
Bedford Esquires @ 7.30pm
Tickets: £14
TRUE ORDER are Europe’s only tribute to the iconic Manchester band New Order and are considered by many to be the next best thing to watching the real thing.
Playing a career defining set the band play the songs from the early years after the demise of Joy Division.
Expect to hear a set rarely performed by New Order themselves, as True Order emulate the rich tapestry of synthesizers, sequencers, drum machines and guitars with the same uncompromising attitude that made New Order pioneers of modern music.
Sunday, 30 August
Bedford indies: St Cuthbert’s Street Festival
St Cuthbert’s Street @ 10am – 5pm
Free
This bank holiday weekend, St Cuthbert’s Street is once again closing the road and throwing a party to celebrate the wonderful and unique businesses that make up this Bedford indies hot-spot.
From 10am – 5pm on Sunday, 30 August, the street will be closed to traffic, and everyone’s invited to enjoy live music, DJs, food, drink and fun in the sunshine.
Read: St Cuthbert’s Festival puts the party into the heart of Bedford
Your perfect Bedford Sunday in a nutshell!
Sunday, 30 August
Walking: “Bedford’s Movers and Shakers” guided walk
Bedford Town Centre @ 11am at St Loyes, opposite Bedford Prison
Tickets: £4/£2 (Please use the code HIGGINS30 to remove the transaction fee)
You will know of the ‘mugshot’, but did you know it was first introduced into the criminal justice system by Robert Evan Roberts, a reforming governor of Bedford Prison in Victorian times?
Join this walk and meet Roberts and others who made a difference in Bedford and in the world; an astronomer, a polar explorer, the first woman county councillor and discover how some of the most attractive private dwellings in Bedford came to grace this area of town. N.B. Please note that this walk starts from St Loyes, opposite Bedford Prison
Join the Association of Bedford Tour Guides for one of their fascinating weekly walks. Each walk is of 90 minutes to two hours duration and covers a distance of one or two miles. Most walks are suitable for people who are less mobile.
Children of all ages are most welcome on all of the walks but those aged 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Each walk costs £4 per adult or £2 for children over 8. All walks must be pre-booked.
Sunday, 30 August 2026
Family fun: Storytelling in the Gallery with Belinda
The Higgins Bedford @ 2.30pm
Free / drop-in
Belinda will be leading children on a creative exploration of stories this Sunday. Enjoy the immersive storytelling experience in the air-conditioned gallery. Perfect for children seven and under.
Please be aware, space in the gallery is limited and offered on a first come, first served basis.
Sunday, 30 August
Live music: The Place Open Mic 2026
The Place Theatre @ 2pm – 5pm
Free
The ever-popular “The Place Open Mic” sessions are back.
Join the relaxed music sessions in The Place foyer. Whether you’re a seasoned musician or just love to play, The Place Open Mic offers a friendly, informal space to meet fellow music lovers and enjoy a good jam session. Bring your instrument, grab a coffee, and let the music flow.
Monday, 31 August
Gardens: Music in the Garden
Kathy Brown’s Garden, The Manor House, Church Road, Stevington MK43 7QB @ 2pm
Tickets:
International musician Dan Evans is a friend of and regular visitor to the gardens. This bank holiday Monday he will be playing instrumental music on the dulcimer and guitar from 2pm (subject to the weather).
His music will include folk airs and his own nature-themed compositions, in a relaxed and informal setting.
Every Monday
Live music: An evening with Mat Roberts & guests
The Castle, Newnham Street @ 7.30pm
Free entry
Join Mat Roberts and special guests every Monday evening for the best live music and a chilled-out vibe.
At the Higgins Bedford
Until 4 October
Exhibition: Children’s Art Competition and Exhibition
Sir William Harpur Gallery at the Higgins Bedford
The Children’s Art Competition features more than 100 pieces of artwork created by pupils from schools across Bedford Borough. The children aged 4 to 18 have created their artwork at workshops with professional artists visiting their schools.
The theme for the 2026 exhibition is ‘Aspire: Nurturing Potential’, based on their aspirations, goals, dreams, hopes and what they want to be or do in life.
Read: Young Bedford artists showcase big ambitions in ‘Aspire’ exhibition
The competition and exhibition are a collaboration between The Harpur Trust and The Higgins Bedford.
Until April 2027
Display: A Brewery in Bedford: Celebrating 150 Years of Wells & Co.
Somewhere in England Foyer, First Floor
Free entry
Founded in 1876 by Charles Wells, the business began at Horne Lane Brewery, brewing beers and growing a thriving pub estate.
Read: 150 years of Bedford’s brewing heritage on display at The Higgins
In 2019, it moved to Brewpoint and rebranded as Wells & Co., marking an exciting new chapter. Find out more about their 150 year journey.
Until 2 September
Exhibition: Noel Carrington: Nothing Need Be Ugly
The Higgins Bedford @ extended
Free entry
Curated by writer and publisher Joe Pearson, this exhibition tells the story of publishing’s unsung hero, Noel Carrington (1895–1989). Schooled in Bedford with his sister Dora, Noel Carrington became one of the most influential figures in 20th-century design. Through the Puffin Picture Books and Country Life he commissioned, edited and published some of Britian’s most loved children’s picture books.
Read: Celebrating Bedford’s unsung publishing hero: Noel Carrington and Puffin Picture Books
He saw the genius in artists such as Kathleen Hale, publishing books about Orlando the Marmalade Cat and championed emerging artists such as Hilary Stebbing. With Eric Ravilious, Edward Bawden and Mervyn Peake, he commissioned books such as ‘High Street’, ‘Life in an English Village’ and ‘Captain Slaughterboard’.
Through beloved children’s books, forgotten gems and original artwork this exhibition will take Noel Carrington out of the footnotes and into the spotlight.
At the Panacea Museum
Permanent exhibition: Discover the amazing story of a unique religious community
Panacea Museum, 11 Newnham Rd @ Thursday – Saturday, 10am – 4pm
Free entry
This fascinating hidden gem of a museum tells the story of the Panacea Society – a secretive Christian group formed in the early twentieth century that created its own ‘Garden of Eden’ in the centre of Bedford.
The Panacea Museum is located across several Victorian buildings that formed the community’s headquarters. It tells the story of the Panacea Society and other similar religious groups.
As featured on BBC Radio 4’s Mark Steel’s in Town.
Every Tuesday
Community: Tuesday Chess Café
The Pavilion in the Park @ 2pm – 4pm
Free
If you’re a keen chess player or have always wanted to learn, then the weekly chess cafe at the Pavilion in the Park is for you.
Players meet every week, and there’s no membership.
