Bedfordshire Heritage Library

Please do not use hand sanitiser in the Heritage Library; instead, wash your hands with soap and water before you visit.

The Bedfordshire Heritage Library is a special area in Bedford Central Library housing items from the local history collection that are rare, valuable or delicate and are of particular historical significance. It is open weekly on Tuesdays and at other times by appointment
It provides a quiet and peaceful space where you can consult:

A selection of old county, town and village histories
Local directories and poll books
Special collections of works by John Bunyan and Mark Rutherford
Early journals and magazines, including 'The Wasp', the journal of the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment, 1922 - 1964
Bound volumes of newspapers
Old maps, including the first edition Ordnance Survey mapping for the county
Complete set of Victoria County Histories
'Gentleman's magazine'
'Notes and queries' (journal)
Volumes of alumni of Cambridge University (from the earliest times to 1900) and of Oxford University (1715-1886)

The Bedfordshire Heritage Library was officially opened on 11th May 2004 by archaeologist, historian and 'Time Team' television presenter Guy de la Bedoyere

Page last updated: 15th June 2023