Just under an hour on the train from London, Bedford may not have the buzz of Brighton or the surf of Southampton, but it definitely delivers on adrenaline-fuelled adventure sports.
I recently spent an action-packed day in Bedford trying my hand at various outdoor adventures, so read on if you’re looking for the thrill of a lifetime, to try something new, or just to have a fantastic story to tell afterwards.
Getting to Bedford by train
Hop on a Thameslink train from London St Pancras International and you’ll be in Bedford in under an hour. If you already live north of London, you’ll be able to catch a Thameslink service that gets you there even quicker. Sip an iced latte, sit back, and watch the countryside roll by - no parking tickets or traffic stress required.
Free things to do in Bedford
I started my day at Priory Country Park, a 300-acre stretch of meadows, lakes, and woodlands so tranquil my Apple Watch thought I was meditating. This park is the perfect place for a family picnic, or you can grab a bite at the café which sits just in front of the water. Their jacket potatoes and homemade cakes are definitely worth a try.
For your first dose of adventure, head to Cardington artificial slalom course. This was the first course of its kind to be built in the country, and allows thrill seekers to experience white-water canoeing right here in Bedford. I wasn’t quite ready for this level of adventure, but it’s the perfect place if you’re looking for a wild ride in the safety of a controlled environment.
From Priory Country Park, I took a stroll to Russell Park and along The Embankment. I sat on a bench and enjoyed watching the world go by. Quite literally, as paddleboarders drifted along the River Great Ouse and cyclists zipped past on the traffic-free paths. If you’re looking for things to do in Bedford, this is a great spot to unwind and have a quick snack before diving head-first (literally) into a pulse-pounding afternoon.
Outdoor adventure activities in Bedford
All of the above is really just the warm-up for the main attraction in Bedford: Box End Park. I took the bus out of central Bedford and into Kempston, then walked to this family-run leisure park, which has two purpose-built lakes and a range of activities. This isn’t your average water sports centre either, as the lakes are spring-fed with water so clean you can drink it (yes really!)
There are so many activity options at Box End Park. They have an Aqua Park (which is like an inflatable floating obstacle course), open water swimming, stand-up paddle boarding (SUP), and even a lake-based Ninja Warrior course. This is definitely the ultimate destination for thrill seekers.
Read more: A day out in Bedford
For me, first up was a game of disc golf. Now, if you’re wondering “what on earth is disc golf?” then we have that in common, as I thought the same thing when I booked it. As it turns out, it’s a weirdly addictive hybrid of frisbee and golf, where you “putt” flying discs into metal baskets. It’s the sport you never knew you needed, and it’s as satisfying as it sounds. If you love getting competitive with friends, family or work colleagues, this is the perfect activity.
After an hour of failing to impress anyone with my throwing skills, it was time for the main event: cable wakeboarding. I’ve always wanted to try wakeboarding but never had the opportunity. Who would have thought my first time having a go at this adventure sport would be in Bedford? Not me.
How hard is cable wakeboarding?
I made use of the clean and convenient changing rooms, squeezed myself into a rental wetsuit (which is included in the booking), and was ready for the safety briefing. I watched as other people leapt into the water on their boards and zipped around the lake. If you’ve never seen a cable wakeboarding centre before, it’s slightly different to what you might have seen on holiday with people holding on behind a boat.
There’s a cable system which goes around the entire lake, and all you have to do is hold on and balance. Sounds easy, right? As I took hold of the handle and prepared to be whisked out into the water, my heart was pounding. Before I knew it, I was speeding across the water, holding on for dear life. What I definitely didn’t expect was the upper body strength needed! I might have to hit the gym a few times before my next visit.
What an incredible thrill. The feeling as you skim across the water, wind in your face, adrenaline pumping through your entire body, is like nothing else. I’m not going to pretend I aced it the first time - I fell in after a few corners. And guess what? That was one of the best bits, as the spring-fed lake is so clean that it was like floating around in a swimming pool. The shock of the water hitting my face and huge surge of adrenaline had me laughing and grinning from ear to ear.
After my session was finished, it was super easy to get showered and changed in the on-site changing room - and there’s even a hairdryer so you can feel your best when it’s time to go.
Then I hopped in a taxi to the railway station and caught the train back to London. At this point, my arms were aching something fierce, so I was thankful I didn’t have to worry about driving home. I was able to relax and close my eyes, reflecting on one of the most exciting days I’ve had in a long time and how there are so many incredible things to do in Bedford.
Bedford, it turns out, isn’t just a stop on the line - it’s a story you’ll want to tell everyone you know.