Underrated UK town getting huge new theme park has thermal bath hotel, free festival and famous ‘toothpaste’ cake
IN a few years, Bedfordshire will be one of the top places to visit in the country when the UK’s first Universal theme park opens there.
But according to one local, there’s so much that you can do in the county already, especially its namesake town, Bedford.
Lydia Pettet has lived in Bedford for almost all of her life, and makes it her mission to get others to love Bedfordshire just as much as she does.
She shows the best of the county on her social media account lydeatsfood – and here are her top spots.
New Theme Park
Of course we have to start with the upcoming theme park.
In April 2025, it was announced that Bedford would become the location of Universal’s very first UK theme park.
And work behind the scenes has already started as Universal has found a temporary headquarters close to its planned site.
The company has taken over the top floor of Bedford Borough Hall on Cauldwell Street, which is already home to Bedford Borough Council.
The US firm was granted planning permission in December 2025 to build a destination across 662 acres on a former brickworks at Kempston.
Once it’s fully up and running which is scheduled for 2031, the theme park is expected to get 8.5million each year.
Food
As for what to do now, some might be unaware that Bedfordshire has strong Italian heritage.
Back in the 1950s, Italians were recruited to work at the brickworks, the site of the new Universal theme park.
Lydia explained that many never left resulting in lots of incredible Italian restaurants popping up around the county.
Bedford in particular has some top eats. Lydia told Sun Travel: “If you come to Bedford, expect incredible Italian food. One of my favourites is A Casa Di Anna, which is run by a lovely couple called Stefano and Anna.
“We’ve got Santaniello Pizzeria which is one of, if not the oldest restaurant still open in Bedford.
“Its menu is very limited – it’s actually been the same for my entire life. Inside it’s got the classic plastic gingham table cloths and you can’t go wrong with the breadsticks, a margherita and finish off with a shot of Limoncello.
“Other modern Italian restaurants include The Higgins Pantry, which is inside the Higgins Museum. Or La Terrazza which is more date night, girls night vibes.”
Other must-try foods in Bedford include the ‘Bedfordshire Clanger’ – a half sweet, half savoury pastry that you can buy at the Gunns Bakery in Sandy.
Most interestingly, it has a speciality called ‘chocolate toothpaste’ which Lydia explained is an “old school dessert”.
It’s made from shortcrust pastry with a chocolate filling with a swirl of whipped cream on top.
Lydia added: “Every cafe in Bedford sells them – so I’d encourage every tourist to try one.”
Hotels
When it comes to where to stay in Bedford, Lydia recommends the newly renovated The Swan Hotel.
It was built in the 1700s and recently reopened in September 2025 after adding 24 rooms and a new fitness suite.
Lydia says it’s a great spot for those who want some “luxury“.
Inside are 137 rooms which range from the classic double all the way to the Junior Suite.
It has an on-site brasserie and restaurant in a pretty conservatory that looks over the River Ouse.
Depending on the time of day guests, or visitors, can pop in to munch on breakfasts, Sunday lunches, dinners and afternoon tea.
The hotel also has a Thermal Spa with pools and three experience showers from mist to a dousing bucket with cold water.
The vitality pool has massage benches, neck and body massage jets and air beds.
It has a traditional steam room, a Finnish sauna for relaxation, a steam lounger and a relaxation space.
Non-guests are welcome to use the spa too, a one hour session is £20, with two hours priced from £30.
Other packages include a traditional afternoon tea and two hour spa session for £48.
Activities
Every summer, Bedford Park holds the Bedford Summer Sessions – essentially a music festival.
The summer of 2026 will see Deacon Blue, UB40, Tom Grennan and Paul Weller take to the stage.
Single day admission starts from £58.80 per person, while a four-day festival pass is priced at £199 per person.
If you’re a fan of comedy, you might get the chance to see some big names in Bedford.
Lydia has seen the likes of Alan Carr and Joel Dommett on home turf before.
She said: “They test out material before heading to the big cities.”
If you don’t fancy paying for entertainment then across one weekend this year is the Bedford River Festival.
Lydia revealed “it’s the biggest free festival in the country after Notting Hill Carnival, this year it’s on between 18-19 July.
“It has live music and races down the river in boats. There’s lots of food, lots of gift stalls and they have a community stage with dance schools and choirs.
“Then we have the Bedford Italian festival which is held every year and Summer Sessions in Bedford Park.”
Throughout the rest of the year, the river is often used for watersports.
Popular activities on the river include canoeing and kayaking.
You’ll find Box End Park in Bedford, on the lake is a huge inflatable which opens from April 2026.
The lake is a popular spot for open water swimming, wakeboarding, water skiing and paddleboarding.
For more on Bedfordshire, an iconic tourist attraction inspired this suburban leisure centre which is set to get a revamp.
In the neighbouring county, here’s more on the UK’s ‘worst big town’ – and why it’s a great alternative day trip to London.