Bedford is the perfect choice for those students who want access to the big city life of London but don’t want to lose out on the pleasures associated with living in a smaller town. You can live in a culturally diverse town on the banks of the River Ouse for a fraction of the cost of living in our capital city.

Bedford has a huge selection of bars, pubs, cafes, and restaurants if you are a student who likes to eat out or meet up with your friends for a drink – and the entertainment options don’t stop there. Bedford was named the fourth-best city for providing events for students back in 2018.

You may be wondering where you will live if you choose to study at the University of Bedfordshire or Cranfield University. Here at

Accommodation for Students, we have plenty of options for you. Some of the most popular areas in Bedford for students to live include:

• The Castle Quarter – one of the best places to live in Bedford, with a vast range of coffee shops, delis, pubs, restaurants, and shops – many of which are independently owned and run. There are lots of events and activities on offer here as well, including the Bedford River Festival

• Kempston – One of the smaller towns in Bedford, but with a wide range of facilities. Located on the bus route to Cranfield University and within walking (and cycling) distance of Bedford town centre

• Wootten – a very picturesque village, popular with families and a little further along with the bus route to Cranfield University

If you’re not sure what there is on offer in Bedford to entertain you when you are not studying, then check out this list:

• Arts and Culture – Bedford is your place if you love music and the theatre. The largest venue for events and entertainment is the Corn Exchange – and it hosts a wide variety of comedy, dance, music, and theatre performances. Esquires is a great live music venue where you can enjoy indie, jazz, rock, and soul music performances. There is a Cineworld cinema in Bedford, so you won’t miss out on the latest big film releases, while the Higgins Art Gallery and Museum is home to a constantly changing stream of decorative art and watercolours

• Eating out and Nightlife – Bedford is a town with a very diverse community – including 30% of at least partial Italian descent and up to 100 other ethnic groups – meaning the options for eating out in Bedford are great. Bedford is rumoured to be home to some of the best pizzas outside of Naples, for example, while there are numerous great Indian restaurants. The vibrant Riverside quarter of Bedford is fun for a night out with lots of students – especially as it also offers the fantastic views

• History and Heritage – Bedford is a market town dating back to the Medieval period, and so it offers a wide variety of history to explore. You can visit the John Bunyan Museum, for example, to find out more about this great man who wrote “The Pilgrim’s Progress” - one of the greatest novels in the English language.

• The Great Outdoors – The River Ouse meanders through the heart of Bedford, and many people love to stroll along its pretty banks in the evening and pop into one of the many bars, cafes, and restaurants that line the way. Priory Country Park is also a fantastic green space made up of lakes, meadows, and woodlands – perfect for exploring

• Sport – Bedford’s nickname is the “Rugby Town” as it is home to Bedford RFC, who play at Goldington Road. Football fans can also take in a game at Bedford Town FC or hop on a train to London to support their favourite team when they come to play. Bedford also has an International Athletics stadium to help you partake in any sport you fancy.

Explore the student accommodation we have in Bedford, and kick off your University life with a bang.

Student Flats in Bedford

Advertise your property here