The picturesque market town north of London and the provincial town of Bedfordshire has a population of 80,000. This lovely part of the English countryside has the River Ouse flowing through its centre, bordered by magnificent parks and gardens. The town itself has some marvellous old buildings, with the skyline dominated by the sight of St Paul’s Church.

Visitors who enjoy art and painting will find Bedford makes for a delightful destination, with its sedate scenery and old buildings. There are a number of museums and galleries, which are worth a wander around, that display the creative talents of artists both locally renowned and internationally famous.

Art Galleries

The Cecil Higgins Art Gallery has a well-received collection of the applied arts in the centre of Bedford and has a reputation for putting on worthwhile shows and its permanent collection includes works by William Burges and others of the Pre-Raphaelite movement. The fabulous Bromhill Mill has converted its first floor into an exhibition centre and has a regular program of shows featuring arts and crafts by local people.

Landscape painting

The scenery around Bedford also makes for pleasant outdoor trips whether to paint and sketch or simply walk amidst natural beauty. Bedford has miles of luscious landscape, the typical English countryside so popular with artists down the ages. Places like the Priory Country Park or Marston Vale Millennium Park just south of the town or the exquisite surroundings of the Swiss Garden with its unique series of gardens.

Drawing pad and watercolours in hand painters will find plenty to please their eye when they discover such treasures as the Stevington Windmill, the Willington Dovecote or the striking views of St Paul’s Church in the centre. If you fancy a little trip further a field then about 12 miles outside of Bedford, at Bushmead Priory, you will find a rare undamaged refectory.

Country Homes

There are a number of striking country homes around the county, none more so than Woburn Abbey. It sits in 3,000 acres of dramatic countryside with its deer park, rolling hillsides and wooded retreats. There is also a very nice tearoom and a lovely selection of rooms open to the public with some wonderful paintings and silverware on display.

Bedford Accommodation

The 120-room Radisson Park Inn Bedford Hotel is a stylish location to stay during a trip to Bedford. The well-appointed, modern rooms are spacious and brightly coloured and diners can enjoy the menu selections in the RBG Bar & Grill Restaurant. Guests can also make use of the fitness centre or relax in the bar with its views across the River Ouse.

The peaceful countryside, riverside walks and ancient old buildings make Bedford an interesting place for visitors. There are stunning country houses, dramatic churches and quaint village settings, all giving the artists ample choice to create marvellous images.

This entry was posted on Friday, May 18th, 2012 and is filed under Photography and Art, World and Travel. You can follow any responses to this entry through RSS 2.0. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.