Bedford Beach Week: free sandpit fun from 11 August
Bedford Beach Week is bringing a free outdoor sandpit to Silver Square, Silver Street, Bedford, from Tuesday 11 August to Sunday 16 August. The town-centre event is aimed at families with young children and runs daily from 10am to 4pm.
There is no charge to attend and no booking is required. Bedford Borough Council is providing some buckets and spades, while children are also welcome to bring their own. For families looking for a no-cost summer-holiday activity in the town centre, the key practical point is that the sandpit is available across six consecutive days.
When to visit Bedford Beach Week
The sandpit will provide a space for children to dig, build sandcastles and play in real sand without travelling to the coast. It is set up in Silver Square, where accompanying adults can remain close to the activity and visit nearby cafés in the square or town.
A SEND inclusive hour is scheduled from 10am to 11am each day. This is the confirmed quieter-access session mentioned by Bedford Borough Council, so families who may benefit from that arrangement can plan around the first hour of the event.
| Practical detail | Confirmed information |
|---|---|
| Dates | Tuesday 11 August to Sunday 16 August |
| Opening times | 10am to 4pm daily |
| Venue | Silver Square, Silver Street, Bedford |
| Entry | Free; no booking required |
| Inclusive session | SEND inclusive hour, 10am to 11am daily |
Getting there and nearby activities
Children aged five to 15 can travel free during August on Grant Palmer, Stagecoach and Uno buses across Bedford Borough and surrounding areas. The council says this means eligible children can travel to Bedford Beach Week without a bus fare; the free-travel offer applies to children aged 15 and under.
Families can also call at the What’s On Bedford Borough Visitor Information Centre at 50 Silver Street, where children can take part in beach-themed colouring. Parents and caregivers can use the centre to find out about other family activities taking place across the borough during the summer holidays.
Bedford Borough Council describes Bedford Beach Week as a free town-centre activity combining outdoor sand play and family-focused community activity. Cllr Andrea Spice said it was intended for families wanting “fun in the sand for free”, while Cllr Jane Walker highlighted its safe outdoor play setting.
For further event information, Bedford Borough Council directs readers to the Bedford Market Facebook page.
Source: Bedford Borough Council
Context & actions About this article
Source check How this event information was checked
Dates, opening hours, location, free entry, the inclusive session and travel information were checked against the council’s published event notice.
- Event dates confirmed as 11 to 16 August 2026.
- Venue confirmed as Silver Square, Silver Street, Bedford.
- Opening hours confirmed as 10am to 4pm daily.
- SEND inclusive hour and free child bus travel details checked against the source notice.
- Source
- Bedford Borough Council
- Scope
- Bedford
- Updated
- 2026-08-12 13:46
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