Ever imagined galloping along a beach?  Maybe you're more of a fantasy fan or just enjoy spending time with animals, either way horse riding might be for you. A great outdoor activity for the whole family with children able to start from as young as 4. It is an amazing way to take in local scenery, connect with nature, have a little adventure or enjoy at a relaxing pace.   

Horse Riding

Weather is too nice to stay indoors? Want to stretch your legs? Children need to run wild?  Then head to one of the UK's fantastic parks and playgrounds on offer and breath in that fresh air!

Parks and Playgrounds

Looking for an easy access waterboard sport? Stand Up Paddle Board (SUP) might be for you! Easy to pick up in just half an hour, glide across lakes, rivers and seas on your paddle board. Kids can start from as young as 5 and lots of our partners have child and teen sized paddleboards.

Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP)

Whatever your child's age there is always something to enjoy. Get cracking in  a multi-level play area where kids can climb, clamber and slide over all sorts of adventurous obstacles. What’s next? What about a ball pond where your children can dip and dive in a pool full of colourful balls? All of the above would make for serious family fun. Of course parents are not forgotten either as a cafe is never far away. You can relax with a tasty coffee and a slice of cake. What more could you want?

Indoor and Soft Play Areas

Want to enjoy a leisurely swim or a splash with the family? You can find an array of incredibly fun activities for all the family at a Leisure Centre including tennis, badminton, roller skating, aerobics, gym, dance classes and many more! Whatever takes your fancy, they have it! 

Swimming Pools and Leisure Centres

Splash around whatever the weather at these great indoor and outdoor waterparks in the UK! Nothing brings out your inner child quite like the prospect of a water slide or a wave pool. So, don your sturdiest swimwear and swap the beach for one of our top wet and wild waterparks. Whether you’re into white-knuckle flume rides or meandering around a lazy river with a float, water parks are guaranteed to make a splash, whatever the weather. 

Water Parks

Art and crafting are wonderful pastimes and something the whole family can be involved in, whatever age and whatever skill!   Both children and adults can enjoy the wide range of things this relaxing (mostly!) hobby offers, from finger painting and clay modelling to sewing, woodcarving or basket making. As families are now looking for new things to do on holiday, many places are offering arty activities, or local artists will run day courses with lovely things to make.  And the bonus with this hobby is, there is always something to take home with you at the end!  Have a look at all the different art and craft activities to do in the area you are staying in and unleash your inner Michaelangelo!   

Arts and Crafts

Trying to find shelter on a rainy day or enjoy a fun evening filled with laughter and popcorn? Visit one of the 775 cinemas in the UK to catch up on the latest blockbuster film releases!  Or fancy watching some live theatre, a music concert, a ballet, or comedy act? Then head to one of the UK's 1300 theatres!  Whether the West End, London is where you want to enjoy some of the UK's finest productions on offer, or Shakespeare's Globe where you can experience incredible performances and actors. Maybe you want to head to the  Festival Theatre in Edinburgh which stages some of the finest operas and ballets. There is something for everyone and definitely not to be missed!    

Cinemas and theatres

The UK has a huge array of museums and art galleries for you to enjoy. From the big hitters in London, such as the Natural History Museum, V&A, Tate Modern and National Portrait Gallery, to exciting living museums where your family can step back in time (such as the Black Country Museum in the West Midlands or the Highland Folk Museum in the Cairngorms). These Museums let your kids get hands-on with history, attending School and learning about farming, crafts, and much more. Art Galleries are not just for the grown ups! They now have workshops and child-friendly trails to inspire even the youngest artists to start drawing.  So why not try out one of our Museums or Art Galleries on your next holiday?   

Museums and Art Galleries

Why not consider learning to sail on your next staycation? Take to the sea and harness the wind to discover the joy of sailing.  Unlock new adventures and areas by learning to sail, or even discover more about your local area!  From age 8, children are allowed to participate in RYA learn to sail courses. Why not try sailing on your next staycation. 

Sailing

If you decide to take a holiday in the UK to an area you don't know (or maybe you do but want to know more), an excellent way of seeing around and actually getting to see the "best bits" is by taking a tour with a local guide or someone in the know. Walking tours, cycling tours, boat tours, pogo-stick tours (ok maybe not the last one) - whatever suits your family best, can be booked online or at local visitor information centres and make a real difference to your stay.  You can find out the history of a place, local facts or even go on something weird and wonderful like a ghost walk or follow in the footsteps of Sherlock Holmes or Jack the Ripper.  Eek.  An open top bus journey can take away the hours pounding the pavement to look around a large city. Boat trips and river cruises are also a great way of seeing a lot of things in a small amount of time, giving you a completely different aspect of the town you are visiting.  Join a large boat or charter something smaller yourself and follow the river along to get a better look at all the surround countryside.  

Tours and River Cruises

Enjoy your Escape to the countryside at an Activity Farm. Activity farms offer hands-on feeding with lots of  animals including workshops and experiences that help get you even closer to farm life.  Or Visit a fantastic and wild Zoo where you can see Rhinos, Bears, Lions, monkeys and more!

Childrens Farms and Petting Zoos

Climbing is a great way to test your strength, balance and agility. As both an indoor and outdoor sport it can be done whatever the weather! You can try out bouldering, climbing and traversing lower walls (around 3 meters) without the assistance of rope. Bouldering basics can be mastered in a few hours and climbing centers will have graded routes allowing you to start out on the easier paths and work your way up. Rock climbing or high ropes is climbing vertically with the assistance of ropes and using safety harnesses, the walls are around 15 meters tall. You will need a good nerve for heights for this activity! Again, beginner sessions are available as are graded routes.

Climbing

Do you have a genuine love of flowers? A keen eye for design, colour matching and style? Or just want to try your hand at learning the basics of flower arranging? Relax and unwind as you learn a new breathtaking skill and discover new tips and tricks for your own home!    

Floristry

Discover the trees like never before. Scramble, climb and jump through high rope assault courses, don't forget to bring your courage!  A great outdoor activity for families and adults alike, and dotted throughout the UK. Why not try the adventure for a day out on your next staycation?   

High Ropes Courses

Prepare to be completely blown away as you experience the adrenaline rush of an indoor skydiving experience! Suspended in mid-air, you can embrace the full force of the wind as you get to grips with how to freefall!  Embrace the thrill of flying and take a leap of faith, without having to jump out of a plane. Fun for all the Family!   

Indoor skydiving

Learn to paint or refine your skills... Painting is a completely inclusive activity for the whole family!  Head to a pottery painting class with your friends and take away a keepsake from your holiday! Or let the kids express their creative side with some hand painting!  Maybe you're already proficient and want to polish your brush technique. Whatever the weather, there is something for everyone to enjoy. 

Painting workshops

Pottery is an ancient craft and great fun! Sometimes a little messy, anyone can have a go at either hand building a pot, or getting to grips with a throwing wheel. You can create something beautiful and uniquely yours in no time at all. Families can enjoy together and kids as young as 2 can play with clay, or have a go at painting a pre-made pot. It’s the perfect wet weather or winter activity.

Pottery

Spend the day creating your very own handcrafted pot, vase, or bowl. Or if you have less time on your hands why not try painting a premade version?  A relaxing, indoor family activity. Perfect for creatives and on a rainy day visit one of the many ceramic cafes for coffee, tea, cakes, and of course, crafting!   

Pottery Centres and Ceramic Cafes

The UK is the home of the amazing steam train! This integral part of our lives and history means we are lucky to still have many running steam railways and transport museums and attractions.  Why not experience the romance of a steam train ride in the Welsh mountains or across Bodmin and try out a railway or transport attraction on your next holiday.  

Railway and Transport 

Santas Grottos are the perfect Christmas experience. A fantastic festive day out for the whole family. 

Santas Grottos

There are a huge number of zoos, wildlife and safari parks all over the UK and most are well worth a visit and provide a really exciting and unique day out.  The broad difference between them is that Zoos tend to keep animals with their own species in smaller enclosures for a real up-close encounter, whereas a visit to a Safari Park usually involves driving around much larger enclosures to see groups of animals - maybe rhino, giraffe and gazelle all in one setting.  Some are self-drive (for a monkey snapping off your wing mirror type affair) or in others you are guided round in a truck, spotting lions and elephants from afar - similar to an African safari, just without the plus-size sunset, hot weather and flamboyant tribespeople (although lets not get too picky about this; most UK safari parks are just a couple of hours from home and do not involve remortgaging the house to go). Many zoos and parks now are great conservation pioneers and animal rescue centres, so by visiting, you are often contributing to real global issues, supporting endangered species or deforestation or other genuine threats to wildlife.  The parks usually have lots of information about these causes and it can be a great way to get the kids to learn about the world we live in, the animals from different continents and the dangers they face.

Zoos, Wildlife Parks and Safari Parks

Bedford is a historic market town in England lying between Northampton on the West and Cambridge on the East.   It is a pretty place to visit and has a diverse local community, which makes for some pretty good cosmopolitan restaurants to choose from.  Set along a river, there are some lovely walks to be had and nearby green parks provide lots of areas for getting outside and have playgrounds and sports areas.  Box End Park is a different kind of park altogether.  It comprises of two, large, purpose built water-sports lakes and has all sorts on offer for children (and adults) of every age and ability.  There is an Aqua Park playground (you have to be over 6 for this) or you can learn to waterski and wakeboard, either behind a speed boat or towed on the cable.  There is a contemporary waterside restaurant here too. There are also some good museums in Bedford too. Visit the Moot Hall Museum for some local history, or just outside the town, the Shuttle worth Collection; a brilliant aviation museum which is home to some of the oldest and most preserved aircraft in the world.       

Bedford, East England, UK

Central Bedfordshire, East England, UK

Hertfordshire, East England, UK

Luton, East England, UK

The county of Bedfordshire is home to rivers, rolling countryside, wildlife parks full of big cats, historic houses and castle ruins.  Visit the glorious Chiltern Hills to see some local wildlife - fallow deer and kestrels - and enjoy all the outdoor adventures that Bedfordshire offers.  The neighbouring county of Hertfordshire offers garden towns, cathedral cities and beautiful historic buildings.  

Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire, East England, UK

East Anglia, East England, England, UK

Essex, East England, UK

The East of England contains Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Norfolk and Suffolk. The area has stunning countryside and is a perfect place to get outdoors.

East of England, UK

East Midlands

London, UK

North East England

North West England

South East England, UK

South West England, UK

West Midlands, UK

Yorkshire and the Humber, UK

England is a totally unique travel destination, well known for its history, natural beauty, vast range of attractions and beautiful countryside landscapes and coastlines. 

England, UK

Northern Ireland

Scotland

Wales

England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland make up the extraordinary United Kingdom; home to mountains, caves, rivers, dramatic coastlines, medieval villages and vibrant cities.

Top

Accommodation

Re:treat Glamping

Wild Canvas Camping

White Cottage Country Camping

Shooters Hollow Farm Certificated Site

Top End Farm

Tithe Farm Certificated Site

The Falcon

Rookery Caravan Park Certificated Location

Treetops Certificated Site

The Wheatsheaf

Glebe Meadow Fishery Certificated Site

Grafham Water Caravan And Motorhome Club Site

Rose And Crown Pub

Outfields Farm ( The Paddock )

Shuttleworth Trust Camping And Caravanning

Matchstick Wood Canoe Camping

Henlow Bridge Lakes

North End Farm Glamping

Top End Village Stores

Re:treat Glamping

Activities & Experiences in bedford

Playhouse

The Forest Centre & Millennium Country Park

Ready Steady Roll

Cineworld Bedford

The Stables Equestrian Centre

Brook Stables Riding School

Robinson Pool

Laser World

Rock Up Rushden Lakes

Box End Park Watersports

Bedford Treasure Trail

The Bunyan Sports Centre

Irchester Country Park

Woburn Lido

Embankment Gardens and Russell Park

Tinsleys Riding School

Irchester Narrow Gauge Railway Museum

Twinwoods Adventure

John Bunyan Museum

Jungle Jims Playland

Places nearby

central-bedfordshire

hertfordshire

luton

Things to do in bedford