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Arts and crafts in Bedfordshire

Bedfordshire (including Bedford, Central Bedfordshire and Luton) is in the East of England of England. It has a population of around 412,000 and covers approximately 119,000 hectares. Here is a list of nearby or neighbouring counties: Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Northamptonshire.

County flag of BedfordshireBedfordshire had a reputation for centuries as an important centre of lace making and hat making in England and the Wardown Park Museum in Luton has a collection reflecting the history of these traditional crafts. Also located in Luton is the Stockwood Discovery Centre, which has exhibits from local history, a rural crafts collection, which includes a number of horse-drawn carriages, and a variety of garden designs. First built as a Jacobean farmhouse, Ascott House was later enlarged and today the interior rooms are finely furnished and decorated with artworks including ceramics and paintings, whilst the grounds feature picturesque gardens. Performing arts venues in Bedfordshire include the Sharnbrook Theatre in Bedford, the Grove Theatre in Dunstable, Bedford Corn Exchange and The Hat Factory in Luton, which has also served as a venue for art exhibitions.

The county town of Bedfordshire is Bedford, where you can visit the Higgins Art Gallery and Museum, which has a collection including Palaeolithic tools, locally made crafts and decorative arts. There are watercolours by artists including William Blake, John Constable and J. M. W. Turner, as well as prints by artists such as Pablo Picasso, Francisco Goya and Roy Lichtenstein. Woburn Abbey was established during the 12th century and later became a country house, which was rebuilt during the 18th century. Within the house are collections of historic furniture, silver, ceramics, sculptures and paintings, including works by artists such as Canaletto, Gainsborough, Rembrandt and Velasquez. The extensive grounds surrounding the house have landscaped gardens, woodlands, a wide variety of plants and a Safari Park. Other attractions in Bedfordshire include Wrest Park country house and gardens, Dunstable Downs, Jordans Mill in Biggleswade, Stockwood Discovery Centre in Luton and Harrold-Odell Country Park.

Eszters Bakery

Eszters Bakery

Luton, Bedfordshire

Eszters Bakery is a unique shop where I create beautiful art on ginger biscuits. You ...

PELLE Handcrafted

PELLE Handcrafted

Luton, Bedfordshire

We are a london based leather brand working on the vision of functionalluxury. The Hides ...

CrystalsAndCrafts

CrystalsAndCrafts

Luton, Bedfordshire

My story started when I started collecting crystal stones, I saw beauty in every little ...

Lather and Smoke

Lather and Smoke

Milton Keynes, Bedfordshire

Our unique handcrafted Himalayan or Organic Sea Salt soap bars are made using the traditional ...

The Happy Core Company

The Happy Core Company

Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire

At the Happy Core Company we are passionate about good mental health and wellbeing. We ...

Sense Collective

Sense Collective

Hitchin, Bedfordshire

Sense Collective was created from a need to develop meaningful opportunities and memories ...

Cape and Haven

Cape and Haven

Arlesey, Bedfordshire

Cape and Haven are a gifts and homewares company with a coastal heart. Our highly scented ...

Hensons handmade creations

Hensons handmade creations

Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire

I am 19 years old and based in Bedfordshire, I have a love for design. Most of my work ...

Melting Memories Wax

Melting Memories Wax

Luton, Bedfordshire

We are a 5 star small business selling 100 percent biodegradable coconut wax melts. Our ...

Sarah Lousada

Sarah Lousada

Milton Keynes, Bedfordshire

I am an artist crafting with pen, ink, and water colour paint . I work closely with my ...

The Crafty Beaver

The Crafty Beaver

Haynes, Bedfordshire

I make unique wood and resin pieces such as river tables, coffee tables, charcuterie ...

Samantha Perry

Samantha Perry

Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire

Hi, I am Sam. I started making semi precious bracelets in 2019 and it started as a hobby. ...

Round The Bend

Round The Bend

Milton Keynes, Bedfordshire

I have been up cycling / bending(vintage Cutlery)silver fish knives, forks, tea and coffee ...

Smiley Creations by Liz

Smiley Creations by Liz

Biggleswade, Bedfordshire

I’m Liz and I create beautiful resin jewellery, gifts, homewares and wall art. I incorporate ...

Mowatt Unique Jewellery

Mowatt Unique Jewellery

Luton, Bedfordshire

Hello everyone. My name is Pamela and I would like to welcome you to Mowatt Unique Jewellery. ...

the white linen farmhouse

the white linen farmhouse

Toddington, Bedfordshire

We are an Etsy seller, selling shabby chic linens and clothing to a UK and International ...

Novelty Melts

Novelty Melts

Bedford, Bedfordshire

Hi my name is Sam. During lockdown i decided to purchase some wax and make some candles. ...

Ame Candle Studio Ltd

Ame Candle Studio Ltd

Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire

We are a small family run business from Bedfordshire. We make and hand pour all our candles ...

Scritsy

Scritsy

Luton, Bedfordshire

Specialist in Personalised photographic slates. We create slates with your own favourite ...

Blue Belle Gifts

Exhibitor

Sandy, Bedfordshire

Hi, We are Charlie and Emma. Cousins who crochet and sew gifts and accessories for all. ...

Tinkers Bell Pottery

Tinkers Bell Pottery

Bedford, Bedfordshire

Individual thrown and slab constructed pieces, high temperature glazes, bowls small and ...


Elkanah Settle

(Born 1648 in Dunstable in Bedfordshire), Poetry

Settle was a poet and play write. He wrote among other works - CAMBYSES King of Persia: A TRAGEDY. When the curtain first opens, we see the scene of the Royal Pavilion, Cambyses seated on a Throne attended by Otanes, Darius, Artaban, Prexaspes, Guards, Slaves, and Attendants with the Princess Mandana, and Ladies.

John Bunyan

(Born 1628 in Elstow in Bedfordshire), Fiction

As a writer Bunyan was most famous for The Pilgrims Progress, although he did write many dozens more works.