In the heart of the town between the shopping area and the historic Castle Mound, lies Bedford’s Cultural Quarter.
Home to the John Bunyan Museum,Bedford Museum, Cecil Higgins Art Gallery and BCA Gallery, the area provides residents and visitors alike, the opportunity to participate, celebrate and learn.
Bedford Museum contains fantastic collections of national importance while the Art Gallery is considered one of the best outside London, featuring many of the greatest names in art including Turner and Picasso. For a more contemporary collection, the BCA Gallery is dedicated to photography, film, video and digital imaging.
Bedford has a history spanning more than a thousand years and through the centuries strong characters have emerged to lead and shape the town. These include Bedford’s most famous son, the 17th Century tinker turned preacher, John Bunyan, author of the world famous book, ‘The Pilgrim’s Progress’.
The town is also home to the world class Philharmonia Orchestra whose residency at the Corn Exchange began in 1994. It is also a frequent host to high profile performances from top comedy acts as well as being a popular conference venue.
Bedford is steeped in history and as a result has many cultural activities to offer. Click here to learn more about Bedford's history or visit the Castle Mound to see the Heritage Panels.
Today, Bedford is a multi-cultural town with 73 different ethnic groups comprising 13% of the population, contributing to the borough's vibrant and diverse culture.
