Universal opens a park in Bedfordshire: what to visit in the region right now.

Local Attractions of Bedfordshire

According to The Sun: Bedfordshire has yet to become a popular tourist destination, but with the opening of the Universal park in the coming years, its visitor numbers are set to increase significantly.

Local resident Lydia Pettet shares that even now tourists can enjoy the beauty of Bedfordshire, particularly its cozy villages that resemble the Cotswolds and its 'Little Italy'.

Lydia grew up in Bedford, lived briefly in London and Leeds, but returned home again. Now she wants to showcase all the beauty of her county through her social media account lydeatsfood, where she shares the best recommendations about Bedfordshire.

Bedfordshire is located in the east of England and is famous for towns such as Bedford, Luton, Dunstable, and Leighton Buzzard, also becoming home to the first Universal park in the UK.

Beauty of the Surroundings

The county has numerous villages compared to the Cotswolds. For instance, The Telegraph noted that 'Bedfordshire has its secret equivalent of desirable Cotswold villages.'

Lydia noted: 'I am a girl from North Bedfordshire at heart, and we have many beautiful villages, from Harrold to Carlton and Sharnbrook.' She recommends visiting The Oakley Arms pub in Harrold.

Exclusive Cuisine

Lydia reported that Bedford is known for its Italian heritage, even earning the nickname 'Little Italy'. This occurred due to a brick factory where Italians worked in the 1950s, many of whom stayed to live in the county.

“If you come to Bedford, expect great Italian cuisine. One of my favorite places is A Casa Di Anna, run by the wonderful couple Stefano and Anna.”

Lydia also recommends visiting Santaniello Pizzeria, one of the oldest establishments in Bedford that offers classic dishes.

Beer and Traditional Meals

Don't forget about the beer at Brewpoint from Wells & Co., which has been operating since 1876. Lydia emphasizes that she loves visiting this brewery, especially during the holidays.

“You can taste the beer, take a brewery tour, and have lunch.”

You cannot leave Bedfordshire without trying a traditional meal. Lydia is trying to find the best lunch in the county.

“Among my favorite places is Herd, which offers a huge Sharing roast.”

Relaxation and Festivals

Bedfordshire also offers places for relaxation and exploration, such as the Center Parcs in Woburn Forest. Visitors can book a vacation or spend a day at the Aqua Sana spa.

“The River Festival takes place in Bedford in the summer - it is the largest free festival in the country after Notting Hill.”

Lydia noted that this year's festival will occur on July 18-19.

Bedfordshire Specialties

In Bedfordshire, there are two special dishes that Lydia recommends trying.

“The first is Bedfordshire Clanger, which resembles a pie but one half is savory and the other is sweet.”

Historically, this dish was popular among workers as it allowed for lunch and dessert in one: on one side - stewed meat, on the other - apples.

“Another specialty is chocolate toothpaste, a dessert with a shortcrust pastry shell filled with chocolate and cream.”

Lydia urges all tourists not to miss these dishes that can be found in local cafes.

Bedfordshire, although not currently a popular tourist destination, has every chance of becoming an interesting location to visit. With new entertainment and gastronomic offerings, such as Italian cuisine and traditional dishes, the county invites tourists to discover new corners of England worth seeing.