Shire Hall, Bedford

Bedford Abbey was a short-lived Benedictine monastery, recorded in 10th-century England. Bedford Priory, perhaps representing the same institution two centuries later, was an Augustinian priory that within two decades of its foundation moved to nearby Newnham. Bedford Abbey existed in the 10th-century, staffed with Benedictine monks when Oscytel, Archbishop of York, died in 971.: 30 : 147  The archbishop was buried in the abbey, after his body was taken there by its abbot, Thurcytel (who later moved to Crowland Abbey).: 30 : 147, 420  Thurcytel is the only known abbot of the monastery.: 30  Its history after this is obscure, and may have evolved into St Paul's Church in Bedford, which became an Augustinian priory c. 1166.: 147, 420 : 30 Around 1180, the priory moved to Newnham (see Newnham Priory).: 147 

St Paul's Church is a Church of England parish church located on St Paul's Square in Bedford, Bedfordshire, England. Formerly a medieval collegiate church, the large building of cathedral proportions with its later additions and iconic spire dominates the town. St Paul's is the largest Anglican church in Bedfordshire, and the church exercises a ministry of welcome to thousands of visitors and pilgrims from far and wide each year. St Paul's is officially recognised as a Major Parish Church and is a member of the Major Churches Network. Historically, St Paul's has played a key part in the life of the British nation: as the home for the BBC's daily worship during the Second World War; and the Service for the National Day of Prayer in 1941, at which the then Archbishop of Canterbury, Cosmo Gordon Lang preached, was also broadcast to the UK and wider world from the church. St Paul's is today the Civic Church of the Borough of Bedford and the County of Bedfordshire; it is a focus for special commemorations and celebrations in the borough, county, and the wider region of the East of England, as well as being a central venue for concerts, recitals and exhibitions. As well as serving a diverse parish and ministering to a congregation of all ages, the church also enjoys fine choral and liturgical worship in the English cathedral tradition. It is a grade I listed building.

The statue of John Howard, in St Pauls's Square, Bedford, is a bronze of John Howard, erected in 1890, the centenary of Howard's death. The statue is "clothed ... in the travelling dress of the time to denote he was a great traveller." The sculptor was Alfred Gilbert. It stands on an ornate plinth inscribed with his date of birth and death, and the date of the statue's erection. The plinth in turn sits on five octagonal stone steps, raising the total height of the monument to about 20 feet (6.1 m). The statue is a Grade I listed structure.

The Corn Exchange is an events and concert venue located on St Paul's Square in the Castle area of Bedford, Bedfordshire, England. The structure, which was commissioned as a corn exchange, is a Grade II listed building.

Mid Bedfordshire was a local government district in Bedfordshire, England, from 1974 to 2009.

The Old Town Hall is a municipal building in St Paul's Square in Bedford, Bedfordshire, England. The building, which was the headquarters of Bedford Borough Council from 1892 to 2009, is a Grade II listed building.

Bedford College is a further education college located in Bedford, Bedfordshire, England. It is the principal further education provider in the Borough of Bedford, and is a member of the Collab Group of high performing schools.

The Bedford Sixth Form is a state sixth form located in the centre of Bedford, Bedfordshire, England. It is the only institution in Bedford solely dedicated to sixth form choices. The institution offers a range of GCSEs, A-Levels and Technical Diplomas to 16- to 18-year-olds. The previous SPA complex is managed by Bedford College Services Ltd. trading as Trinity Arts & Leisure - a community facility consisting of a 25-metre six-lane swimming pool, gym and theatre used by local film club and acting groups. Hi

The Bedford Civic Theatre was a theatre located on Horne Lane in the town centre of Bedford, Bedfordshire, England. The theatre operated from 1952 to its closure in 2012. The former theatre building is now used as a Council Customer Service Centre.

Reflections of Bedford is an abstract sculpture by Rick Kirby, located in Bedford town center, on Silver Street. Commissioned by Bedford Borough Council, it was erected on 12 December 2009. Kirby was chosen after winning a Public National Art exhibition to design a new sculpture for the town. The statue consists of two 5-metre high faces, opposing each other. They are both made of stainless steel, to represent the former mint located on the street.The pedestal of the sculpture is also inlaid with blue and purple coloured spotlights, which turn on at night to illuminate the statue. The backs of the scultpures are entirely flat, although one has a plaque attached stating the artist, name, and date of the work. At installation, the statues were rather controversial due to their cost of £100,000, and an alleged lack of public consultation. In addition, the bust of Trevor Huddleston was moved to make space for the faces.

Bedford Rural District was a rural district in Bedfordshire, England from 1894 to 1974. It surrounded but did not include the Municipal Borough of Bedford and Kempston Urban District.

Bedford Rowing Club is an amateur rowing club in Bedford, United Kingdom founded in 1886.