Bedford, Market town in Bedfordshire, England
Bedford is a county town in eastern England crossed by a river that winds in gentle curves through the centre and links several bridges. Parks line both banks and offer paths for walkers, while at the heart of the town market squares and narrow lanes run between stone buildings.
A Saxon settlement stood here in the early Middle Ages before Norman conquerors built a castle in the 11th century to control the region. Over the centuries the place grew into a trading centre that benefited from its position along the river.
Every summer the town becomes the centre of a riverside festival when tens of thousands gather along the banks to watch open-air theatre and concerts. The name comes from Anglo-Saxon roots pointing to a ford where travellers once crossed through shallow water.
Those exploring on foot will find the railway station close to the centre, from where trains depart regularly towards London. Most points of interest lie within walking distance of each other, so visitors can experience the town comfortably in one day.
John Bunyan spent years in the local prison where he wrote his famous work that later reached millions of readers. Six medieval churches are scattered across the town and show different building styles from several centuries.
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