Days Out Near Bedfordshire You Might Not Have Tried
A friendly goose approaching a canal boat on the Grand Union Canal in Apsley, just outside of Bedfordshire
Bedfordshire is genuinely spoilt for choice when it comes to family days out — from safari parks to riverside walks, there's plenty to fill a weekend, and no shortage of ideas whether you're planning something for the school holidays or just a quiet Sunday. If you live in or around Leighton Buzzard, Luton, Dunstable or Bedford, you've probably already ticked off the obvious favourites. This guide rounds up some of the best-loved days out across the county, alongside one option many Bedfordshire families haven't yet considered — a relaxed narrowboat day just over the border in Hertfordshire.
Woburn Safari Park
One of Bedfordshire's best-known attractions, Woburn Safari Park combines a drive-through safari with a foot safari area where you can get close to smaller mammals and birds, including red pandas, meerkats and penguins. Younger children tend to love the Great Woburn Railway and the play areas dotted around the site, while older kids can take on the treetop courses at Go Ape. It's a full day out in its own right, and one of the most popular choices for Bedfordshire families during the school holidays.
Mead Open Farm
A firm favourite for families with younger children, Mead Open Farm offers hands-on animal experiences alongside indoor and outdoor play areas, making it a reliable choice whatever the weather. It's the kind of day out that works well for a relaxed morning or afternoon without needing to plan much further than turning up.
Priory Country Park, Bedford
For a quieter, more outdoorsy day, Priory Country Park in Bedford spans 360 acres of lakes, woodland and meadows, with plenty of space for walking, cycling and simply letting the kids run around. It's free to visit and easy to combine with a wander into Bedford itself afterwards.
A walk along the River Great Ouse in Bedford
Bedford's Victorian embankment along the River Great Ouse is a lovely spot for a gentler day out — a proper walk, a good spot for lunch, and a chance to see the remains of Bedford Castle and the town's historic centre. It's an easy add-on to a Priory Country Park visit, or a pleasant half-day out on its own.
Stockwood Discovery Centre, Luton
If you're looking for something free and indoors, Stockwood Discovery Centre in Luton combines a museum with gardens set around the former stables of Stockwood House. It's a good option for a rainy day, or simply a change of pace from the more outdoor-heavy days out on this list.
The Shuttleworth Collection, Old Warden
For something a little different, Old Warden aerodrome is home to the Shuttleworth Collection, a working grass airfield with historic aircraft, alongside Shuttleworth House and the Swiss Garden. It's a particularly good choice if anyone in the family has an interest in aviation or history, and the surrounding grounds make for a pleasant wander even if vintage planes aren't usually your thing.
Dunstable Downs
For sweeping countryside views without a long drive, Dunstable Downs is hard to beat — a favourite for kite flying, picnics and a proper stretch of the legs, with some of the best views in the county from the top.
One more idea, just over the border
If you've already worked your way through the usual Bedfordshire favourites and fancy something a little different, it's worth knowing that Canal Boat Day Hire operates a self-drive narrowboat hire from Apsley Marina in Hemel Hempstead — a straightforward drive of roughly 30 to 40 minutes from Leighton Buzzard, just over the Hertfordshire border on the Grand Union Canal.
Unlike the safari parks and farms on this list, a canal boat day is a genuinely slower-paced kind of day out — no queues, no crowds, just your group cruising a quiet, tree-lined stretch of canal at a walking pace. No licence or previous boating experience is needed: every hire includes a full safety briefing and boat handling demonstration, with support through the first lock so everyone knows exactly what they're doing before setting off properly.
It's particularly well suited to:
Families looking for a genuinely different day out from the usual attractions — see our guide to family canal boat days out
First-timers who've never been on a narrowboat before — everything is explained on the day, covered in our first time canal boat hire guide
Groups and businesses in Bedfordshire looking for something different from the usual away day — see our team building days page
Free parking is available at the marina, and Apsley train station is roughly a two-minute walk away, so it's a practical day trip whether you're driving or coming by rail. Fuel is included in the hire price, along with a flushing toilet, gas hob, and everything you need for a comfortable day on board, so there's nothing extra to arrange once you've booked — just turn up, get your briefing, and set off.
If you'd rather the whole group simply relaxed without anyone steering, a professional skipper can be added to your booking, taking care of the locks and navigation while everyone else enjoys the scenery.
Planning your day
A few practical tips whichever days out you choose from this list:
Book ahead where possible, particularly for Woburn Safari Park and Mead Open Farm during school holidays, and for canal boat hire on weekends and over summer, since availability can book up weeks in advance.
Check the weather-dependent options. Priory Country Park, Dunstable Downs and a canal boat day are all genuinely enjoyable in good weather, while Stockwood Discovery Centre and Mead Open Farm's indoor areas give you a reliable backup for a rainy day.
Combine a couple of ideas into one trip — a walk along the River Great Ouse pairs naturally with Priory Country Park, and a canal boat day pairs well with lunch at one of the waterside pubs and cafés along the Grand Union Canal.
Think beyond the school holidays. Several of these — Dunstable Downs, a canal boat day, a walk along the River Great Ouse — are just as enjoyable on a quiet weekday or an ordinary weekend, and tend to be far less crowded outside of peak periods.
Frequently asked questions
Is a canal boat day out suitable for a Bedfordshire family with young children? Yes. No previous experience is needed, life jackets are available for children, and the pace of the day is naturally relaxed and easy to manage with younger family members on board.
How far is Apsley Marina from Bedfordshire? From Leighton Buzzard, it's around a 30 to 40 minute drive to Apsley Marina in Hemel Hempstead, just over the Hertfordshire border.
Do we need any boating experience to hire a canal boat? No licence or previous experience is required. A full safety briefing and boat handling demonstration is given before you set off.
Conclusion
Bedfordshire has no shortage of brilliant days out, from safari parks and open farms to riverside walks and countryside views. If you've already explored the county's usual favourites, a canal boat day just over the border at Apsley Marina offers something genuinely different — a slower-paced, beginner-friendly day on the water, easily reached from Leighton Buzzard and the surrounding area. Check availability and book your day with Canal Boat Day Hire.