PrimeCarers
Wrest Park, Silsoe

Companionship careBedfordshire

Days out in Bedfordshire for an older parent

Nine places in Bedfordshire that make a good day out for an older parent, from Wrest Park to Houghton House. For each one: what its own access information confirms, what it costs, how long to allow, and the carers nearby who drive and could take them.

Researched by PrimeCarers from each place’s own website and access information  ·  Updated October 2026

Wrest Park. Photo: Daderot, Public domain

Nine days out across seven towns

The best places to take an older parent in Bedfordshire

Five of them are free to visit or to walk around. The access information for seven confirm an accessible toilet. Where a place does not publish its access, we say so.

Wrest Park, Silsoe

Photo: Daderot, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Garden · Silsoe

Wrest Park

Wrest Park near Silsoe is an English Heritage estate with 90 acres of formal gardens laid out over three centuries, a French-style mansion and a long canal leading to a baroque pavilion. There is a visitor centre with a café, a walled garden and an exhibition on the house's use as a hospital in the First World War.

Four motorised scooters can be borrowed free of charge, wheelchairs are available at the tills and a lift takes visitors into the ground floor of the mansion, so the main routes can be seen without long walks.

Time to allow
Half a day
Cost
Paid entry, free for English Heritage members

What their access information confirms

  • Partly step-free
  • Accessible toilet
  • Wheelchairs to borrow
  • Blue Badge parking
  • Café

Their websiteAccess information

Carers who drive, based near Silsoe

Shuttleworth and the Swiss Garden, Biggleswade

Photo: Shuttleworth Collection, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Museum · Biggleswade

Shuttleworth and the Swiss Garden

Shuttleworth at Old Warden near Biggleswade is a collection of historic aircraft and vintage cars kept in working order in a row of hangars beside a grass airfield. The same ticket covers the Swiss Garden, a nine acre Regency garden with ponds, bridges and a thatched Swiss cottage.

The hangars have ramps and occasional seating, the Swiss Garden has accessible paths with seats throughout, and there are accessible toilets at the visitor centre, the café, between the hangars and in the garden.

Time to allow
Half a day
Cost
Paid entry

What their access information confirms

  • Partly step-free
  • Accessible toilet
  • Blue Badge parking
  • Café

Their websiteAccess information

Carers who drive, based near Biggleswade

The Higgins Bedford, Bedford

Photo: M J Richardson, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Museum · Bedford

The Higgins Bedford

The Higgins is Bedford's art gallery and museum, with watercolours and prints, decorative arts, and galleries on the history of the town and the Bedford brewing family's Victorian home. It stands near the Embankment and the castle mound in the centre of Bedford and is free to visit.

Two wheelchairs can be booked, there are two wheelchair-accessible toilets in the museum and one in the café, and limited parking for Blue Badge holders is in front of the courtyard entrance.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Free

What their access information confirms

  • Accessible toilet
  • Wheelchairs to borrow
  • Blue Badge parking
  • Café

Their websiteAccess information

Carers who drive, based near Bedford

Dunstable Downs and the Chilterns Gateway Centre, Dunstable

Photo: Peter O'Connor aka anemoneprojectors, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Nature reserve · Dunstable

Dunstable Downs and the Chilterns Gateway Centre

Dunstable Downs is the highest point in Bedfordshire, a chalk ridge looked after by the National Trust with long views over the Vale of Aylesbury and gliders flying from the club below. The Chilterns Gateway Centre at the top has a café, shop and toilets with windows looking out over the view.

A surfaced multi-user path runs from the Gateway Centre along the top of the ridge, and a parent who does not want to walk far can take in the view from the café.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Free, parking charged

What their access information confirms

  • Café

Their websiteAccess information

Carers who drive, based near Dunstable

RSPB The Lodge, Sandy

Photo: Christine Johnstone, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Nature reserve · Sandy

RSPB The Lodge

The Lodge at Sandy is the RSPB's headquarters, set in woodland and heathland with formal gardens around a Victorian house and more than five miles of trails. There is a café, a shop in the gatehouse and a pond with a bird hide near the entrance.

The path from the shop to the house and gardens is level though slightly uneven in places, seating is provided around the reserve, and the café has an accessible toilet with Blue Badge spaces nearby.

Time to allow
Half a day
Cost
Free, parking charged for non-members

What their access information confirms

  • Partly step-free
  • Accessible toilet
  • Blue Badge parking
  • Café

Their websiteAccess information

Carers who drive, based near Sandy

Whipsnade Zoo, Dunstable

Photo: William Warby, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Animals · Dunstable

Whipsnade Zoo

Whipsnade Zoo on the edge of the Chiltern hills near Dunstable is the UK's largest zoo, with elephants, rhinos, tigers and many other animals in large paddocks. Visitors can walk or drive between areas, and a steam train runs through some of the enclosures.

Blue Badge holders can drive into the zoo free of charge, wheelchairs and mobility scooters can be hired, and there are accessible toilets at several points, which makes a long site manageable in stages.

Time to allow
A full day
Cost
Paid entry, carers free

What their access information confirms

  • Partly step-free
  • Accessible toilet
  • Wheelchairs to borrow
  • Blue Badge parking
  • Café

Their websiteAccess information

Carers who drive, based near Dunstable

Woburn Safari Park, Woburn

Photo: Debdeb12, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Animals · Woburn

Woburn Safari Park

Woburn Safari Park is a drive-through safari where visitors stay in their own car to see rhinos, giraffes, lions, bears and other animals roaming large reserves. After the road safari there is a foot safari area with sea lions, lemurs and keeper talks.

Much of the visit is spent seated in the car, there are 19 Blue Badge bays in the main car park and the cafés are accessible, although visitors need to bring their own wheelchair as none are hired out.

Time to allow
Half a day
Cost
Paid entry

What their access information confirms

  • Partly step-free
  • Accessible toilet
  • Blue Badge parking
  • Café

Their websiteAccess information

Carers who drive, based near Woburn

Priory Country Park, Bedford

Photo: Simon Speed, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Park · Bedford

Priory Country Park

Priory Country Park lies beside the River Great Ouse on the east side of Bedford, with a large lake, smaller finger lakes, meadows and two bird hides. There is a visitor centre with a café attached, and entry is free.

The main path around the lake is surfaced and suitable for wheelchairs, and the visitor centre has accessible toilets with disabled parking in the main car park.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Free

What their access information confirms

  • Partly step-free
  • Accessible toilet
  • Blue Badge parking

Their websiteAccess information

Carers who drive, based near Bedford

Houghton House, Ampthill

Photo: Eothan, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Castle · Ampthill

Houghton House

Houghton House is the roofless shell of a 17th-century mansion on a ridge above Ampthill, looked after by English Heritage and said to have inspired the House Beautiful in The Pilgrim's Progress. It is free to visit and has wide views across the Marston Vale.

Much of the ground floor of the ruins can be reached with a mobility aid, but the car park is a short walk away down a lane, so it suits a brief visit on a dry day.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Free

Access

Their website does not set out its access in detail, so ring ahead about parking, paths and toilets.

Their website

Carers who drive, based near Ampthill

Regular groups and events in Bedfordshire

Something to go back to every week or every year, from our research into what older people enjoy doing in Bedfordshire.

  • Dancing · BedfordSocial tea dance near BedfordAn afternoon social dance on a large wooden floor where waltz, foxtrot, jive and lindy hop are all welcome. A carer can handle the driving and the entry, then sit out or partner a few slower numbers.Details
  • Photography · BedfordBedford Camera ClubA club founded in 1906 with around 50 members, running lectures, competitions and members' evenings through the winter and spring plus summer outings. A carer could provide the lift to evening meetings and help prepare prints or files for a competition.Details
  • Reading · BedfordBedfordshire Libraries reading groups and supportThe county's libraries support local reading groups, offer Reading Well health and wellbeing titles and run a library app for borrowing from home. A carer can collect and return books, or help join a group so reading becomes something shared.Details
  • Sports · BedfordBedford Regatta on the Great OuseBedford's oldest sporting event, first held in 1853 and now drawing well over a thousand rowers to the river each May, watched from the Embankment. A carer could find a bench near the finish and time the visit around the busier afternoon racing.Details
  • Sports · BedfordWalking football in BedfordshireSessions and small tournaments for over 50s and over 60s, played with no running and no slide tackles, listed by Age UK Bedfordshire and the county FA. A carer can sort the kit and transport and stay for the tea afterwards, which is half the point.Details
  • Volunteering · BedfordVolunteering with Age UK BedfordshireThe county charity takes on volunteers for befriending, community support visits and office help, matching roles to what people can manage. A carer could help with the application and checks, then provide the lift to a regular shift.Details

Hobbies and carers who share them in Bedfordshire

At a glance

The nine places side by side

What each place’s own access information confirms. “Ask” means it does not say, not that it is missing.

PlaceTimeCostStep-freeToiletCafé
Wrest ParkSilsoehalf a dayPaid entryPartlyYesYes
Shuttleworth and the Swiss GardenBiggleswadehalf a dayPaid entryPartlyYesYes
The Higgins BedfordBedfordan hour or twoFreeAskYesYes
Dunstable Downs and the Chilterns Gateway CentreDunstablean hour or twoFreeAskAskYes
RSPB The LodgeSandyhalf a dayFreePartlyYesYes
Whipsnade ZooDunstablea full dayPaid entryPartlyYesYes
Woburn Safari ParkWoburnhalf a dayPaid entryPartlyYesYes
Priory Country ParkBedfordan hour or twoFreePartlyYesAsk
Houghton HouseAmpthillan hour or twoFreeAskAskAsk

Where the places are in Bedfordshire

The county’s boundary, numbered as on this page, with the main towns for reference.

PottonLinsladeArleseyBiggleswadeShefford123456789
  1. 1Wrest Park, Silsoe
  2. 2Shuttleworth and the Swiss Garden, Biggleswade
  3. 3The Higgins Bedford, Bedford
  4. 4Dunstable Downs and the Chilterns Gateway Centre, Dunstable
  5. 5RSPB The Lodge, Sandy
  6. 6Whipsnade Zoo, Dunstable
  7. 7Woburn Safari Park, Woburn
  8. 8Priory Country Park, Bedford
  9. 9Houghton House, Ampthill

What it costs

What a day out with a carer costs in Bedfordshire

Carers in Bedfordshire charge £19 to £21 an hour through PrimeCarers, typically £20, with our fee included. A four-hour outing is about £80 for the carer’s time. Entry, food and parking are extra, and travel costs are only payable if you agree them with the carer in advance, in writing. The cost of home care in Bedfordshire has the full figures.

Photographs on this page are from Wikimedia Commons, credited under each one.

Questions

Questions families ask about days out in Bedfordshire

Wrest Park in Silsoe, Shuttleworth and the Swiss Garden in Biggleswade, The Higgins Bedford in Bedford, Dunstable Downs and the Chilterns Gateway Centre in Dunstable, RSPB The Lodge in Sandy, Whipsnade Zoo in Dunstable, Woburn Safari Park in Woburn, Priory Country Park in Bedford and Houghton House in Ampthill. Each has its own section on this page with what its access information confirms, the cost and how long to allow.

Wrest Park, Shuttleworth and the Swiss Garden, The Higgins Bedford, RSPB The Lodge, Whipsnade Zoo, Woburn Safari Park and Priory Country Park have an accessible toilet. Wrest Park, The Higgins Bedford and Whipsnade Zoo lend wheelchairs. Access changes, so ring ahead about anything your parent depends on.

The Higgins Bedford, Dunstable Downs and the Chilterns Gateway Centre, RSPB The Lodge, Priory Country Park and Houghton House. Parking is often charged even where entry is free.

Yes. A companion carer can drive your parent there, walk at their pace, help with the toilet and meals, and bring them home. 38 of the carers with a rate near Bedfordshire drive. Visits are booked by the hour, typically £20 an hour here with our fee included. Companionship care in Bedfordshire shows who is available.

Often. Many attractions let a carer or companion in free, or at a reduced price, with a disabled visitor, and some ask for proof such as a letter or a benefit award. It varies, so check each place’s access or prices page before you go.

Where the nearest carers live

From the profiles of the carers based within about 45 minutes of Bedfordshire

Where the nearest carers live. A carer close to home can manage a longer day out.

Companionship care in the counties around Bedfordshire

Days out in the areas around Bedfordshire

Companionship care by town in Bedfordshire

Each town page shows the carers who list it as home, with their rates and reviews.

Find a carer who could take them out in Bedfordshire

See carers near Bedfordshire who drive, with their photos, interests, rates and reviews. Talking to them is free and nothing is booked until you say so.

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