Shopping
If you fancy an afternoon spending a bit of hard-earned money, then
the Marston Vale Line provides access to many high quality shopping
facilities. All of the villages and towns served by the line have
their own shopping facilities, but the main ones are listed
below.
Bedford Town Centre
The town centre of Bedford is perhaps the most easily
accessible shopping area from the Marston Vale Line. Being the
major retail centre in North Bedfordshire, Bedford Town Centre has
a wide variety of shops that will suit everyone. These range from
popular High Street stores to local independents. The main shopping
area is the pedestrianised Midland Road, while the Harpur Centre
provides indoor shopping, and the surrounding streets also host a
series of shops.
Bedford Town Centre is also home to a series of markets throughout
the week. The weekly farmers market is supplemented by various
markets, such as antiques, gourmet food, and a farmers market. More
information on these markets can be found in the What's
On section of this website.
Plan your day out
1. Check the weather using the weather forecast below
2. Plan your train journey and buy tickets – You can
check the train times and buy tickets using the Quick Times and
Tickets box to the right. The nearest station is Bedford (walk and
cycle).
3. Plan your onward journey from the station –
Directions for walking and cycling are given below.
Outside the station, head left up Ashburnham Road. Take the
first right and head down Woburn Road. Follow the road around to
the right. Take the first left onto Alexandra Place. At the end of
the road, head right onto Greyfriars. Head straight across the
roundabout towards the bus station. The town centre can be accessed
via the bus station.
You should note that you are unable to cycle in the pedestrianised
centre of the town centre.
Location Map of Bedford Town Centre
Bletchley
Town Centre is also not too far away from the Marston Vale Line. A
wide variety of shops await you both in the high street and the
indoor Brunel Centre, located at the top end of the High Street The
fresh clean atmosphere of the Brunel Centre greets you and offers
some interesting shops. All your health food supplies are catered
for by Holland and Barratt and frozen foods are on offer from
Farmfoods. There are also clothing and shoe outlets and another
store selling carpets. W.H. Smiths and Boots offer more standard
goods alongside a large Wilkinsons store which sells just about
everything at competitive prices. Outside on the High Street you
will find a good mix of shops, some of which are independent,
giving a choice of good quality and unusual products at reasonable
prices.
A glass construction
about a half mile in length, thecentre:MK is one of the longest
under-cover shopping areas in Europe, incorporating over 230 shops
from large national stores to smaller specialist shops. Being one
of the main shopping centres in the South East, it attracts nearly
30 million visits a year. Within the shopping building there are a
number of specialist barrows selling a wide variety of distinctive
goods and four days a week there is an open market alongside the
building. Being built on ground level with automatically-opening
doors and with ample parking around the building, it is also very
popular with visitors with disabilities.
MK
Redways Map (PDF, 3mb)
If High
Street names are not your forte, and you prefer a shopping
experience with more independent stores, then Woburn Sands is
perfect for you. The charming high street has a varied range of
shops. You will find a village type atmosphere, all that you may
need for everyday living, service with old style courtesy, and
personal attention from the shopkeepers. The range of shops
includes butchers, bakers, DIY, food stores, flower shops, video
hire and newsagents. There are also a range of restaurants, pubs
and tea shops.
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