With independent shops, bars, restaurants and an enchanting riverside walk, there’s a reason London commuters are moving here
Nearly three quarters of a million people commute from outside London to work in the capital, and while the city is known for its gravitational pull and bustling industry – for many of us – getting aboard the train to a more peaceful home destination is all part of a day’s work.
The list of plushy, leafy commuter towns and villages is too numerous to fully detail, but one which rarely gets a mention happens to be among the biggest. It is a historic town just 40 minutes away by train, which has undergone a 23 per cent increase in population to almost 200,000 people in the past decade.
Bedford is one of the busiest towns within arm’s reach of London, with 119 trains heading into the capital each day. Famed for its booming Italian population, it has become a trendy spot for young professionals with a flurry of independent shops, bars and restaurants, as well as the government-approved Universal Studios Theme Park, set to open its doors in 2031. Here, we dive into everything you need to know about Bedford.
An ancient past
Taking its name from a Saxon chief called Beda and a ford crossing the Great River Ouse, Bedford grew in size and prosperity during the Anglo Saxon era to become one of the largest settlements outside of London, and was the burial place of King Offa of Mercia in 796. Traces of its medieval glory can be seen in its Church of St Paul’s in the town centre, as well as Elstow Moot Hall
Bedford was granted a borough charter in 1196 by Henry II and over the centuries, became known for its lace industry and straw plaiting. In 1660, it became the centre of religious reformation when the non-conformist priest, John Bunyan, was imprisoned in Bedford Gaol following the restoration of the monarchy. From his cell, Bunyan wrote the allegorical book, “The Pilgrim’s Progress”, a seminal work which helped to define Christian belief across the Protestant west for several hundred years.
The rise of modern manufacturing saw an end to Bedford’s traditional industries, as Luton overtook the county town with its hat-making factories. In the 1950s, an employment push by the London Brick Company saw a boom in young brick workers being hired from southern Italy, with many placed in new estates in Bedford. The 2001 census found nearly 30 per cent of Bedford’s population had Italian ancestry.
A modern town for the 21st century
The Italian influence is strongly felt on Bedford’s cobbled streets, with three Italians in its top five restaurants as rated by TripAdvisor, the cosy Amici restaurant is a recipient of a TrpAdvisor’s Traveller’s Choice Award 2025 and comes in at number two, while the seafood-oriented Il Basico follows at number three, and the classic Olive Tree Bedford at number four. Elsewhere, D’Parys near Bedford School is popular for Sunday roasts.
The town is amply supplied with live entertainment. For many years, Bedford Corn Exchange was the premier theatre venue in the town and still remains popular. Nowadays, The Quarry Theatre with its raucous Castle Comedy nights is a big draw, as is The Place Theatre which is known for its cutting-edge fringe shows.
Bedford also has a long list of quirky, off-the-wall, indie bars that attract visitors. Beer Fly is a rustic microbrewery, just opposite the Quarry Theatre, with a range of guest beers, while The Bear and The Devonshire Arms offer a classic pub experiences with wood-decked bars and Victorian furnishings. For LGBTQ patrons, The Barley Mow on Loyes Street is one of the oldest gay pubs in the country, while The Cellar Bar has a weekly LGBTQ night.
House prices
According to Rightmove, houses in Bedford sold for an average of £356,413 over the last year. Housing has grown around the town, which may rapidly expand as it lies in the centre of the Oxford to Cambridge Growth Corridor. Recent housing projects include the new 4,500 home settlement of Wixams just three miles south of town, while the village of Tempsford will be transformed with 40,000 new homes.
The majority of properties sold in Bedford during 2025 were semi-detached houses, selling for an average price of £355,442. Terraced properties sold for an average of £296,005, with detached properties fetching £528,972.
Overall, the historical sold prices in Bedford over the last year were 3 per cent up on the previous year and 8 per cent up on the 2022 peak of £330,350.
Transport
Bedford is well served with transport links to London, with no fewer than 119 trains each day travelling to the capital. East Midlands Railway offers the fastest journey at 39 minutes, with stops at Luton and Luton Airport Parkway before arriving at St Pancras. Thameslink offers more journeys but takes one hour and five minutes, with additional stops at Harlington, Flitwick, Leagrave, Harpenden and St Albans.
Driving from Bedford to London takes around one hour and 15 minutes, with the option of taking either the A421 or the A6 out of town before joining the M1 outside of Luton to reach the capital.
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