It was the home and prison of John Bunyan, the author of the Pilgrim's Progress. The last execution in Britain also took place in Bedford prison.
The River Great Ouse passes through the town centre.
Nearby settlements
Ampthill, Biggleswade, Dunstable, Leighton Buzzard, Letchworth, Luton, Milton Keynes, Northampton, Rushden, Sandy, St Neots, Wellingborough