Bedfordshire lies in the middle of the basin of the Great Ouse River which enters the county in the northwest, traverses the rich and beautiful Vale of Bedford with a serpentine course past the county town of Bedford and then continues on to the north eastern corner at St Neots. The fourth smallest county in England, its county town boasts the largest population of Italian immigrants in the UK. Indeed it has its own Italian vice-consulate which was re-opened in 2014 after closure in 2012 generated vociferous local protest!
As you fly over Bedfordshire on balloon rides you will almost certainly see the Great Ouse River and the Bedford Levels. Depending on the wind direction if you drift towards Bedford you may see Bedford Castle Mound, Bedford Park, quaint thatched houses and churches including the principle church of St Pauls. There are many other aerial sights to take in, including Woburn Abbey, Wrest Park Gardens, Shuttleworth Airfield and Whipsnade Zoo on the Dunstable Downs.
Virgin Balloon Flights provides balloon flights over Bedfordshire from Old Warden Park at Shuttleworth, near Biggleswade. It's only a few miles from the A1 of Sandy, which is thought to have been an ancient Roman trading centre. To the north is Moggerhanger Park & House which was landscaped by Humphry Repton during the late eighteenth century. The iconic Airship hangers of Cardington, spiritual UK home of Airships & Ballooning in the UK will dominate this Bedfordshire landscape during your flight, and are still said to be some of the largest buildings in Europe.
There are many things to do in Bedfordshire, UK. Some popular activities and attractions include:
Visiting the medieval town of Bedford, where you can see the Bedford Castle Mound and St. Paul's Church.
Taking a stroll along the River Great Ouse, which runs through the county.
Exploring the Chiltern Hills, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty that offers hiking, cycling and horse riding opportunities.
Visiting Woburn Abbey, a historic country house that is now a tourist attraction, with a safari park and gardens to explore.
Visiting the Shuttleworth Collection in Old Warden, which is a museum of vintage aircraft and vehicles.
Take a trip to the Stockwood Discovery Centre, an interactive museum that tells the story of Luton and its people.
Visiting the Luton Hoo Estate, a magnificent stately home and gardens that features an 18-hole golf course and spa.
Enjoying the nightlife in Luton, which has a variety of bars and clubs.
These are just a few examples of the many things to see and do in Bedfordshire, UK.