Top 10 Hidden Gems Things to do in Bedfordshire, England

Skirmish Central Outdoor Activities Centre offers a range of woodland activities suitable for most age groups. Established in 1986 we are one of the UK's most experienced Outdoor Activity venues offering: Paintball 11yrs - adult Airsoft. 13yrs - adult Splatball 7yrs - adult Outdoor Lasertag 7yrs - adult Forest Pursuits 3yrs - adult (new) Archery Ball 7yrs - Adult (new) Viking Axe Throwing (new) We constantly achieve the 5* Trip Advisor award for excellence and we always aim to offer an excellent experience that exceeds your expectations. All of our activities are ideal outdoor pursuits for schools,colleges and universities. Got something to celebrate ? need to build your team skills? Pre-wedding celebrations ? Skirmish Central has it all, we look forward to welcoming you to our venue.

We began selling chilli pepper plants in 2001. The plants, and later pickles and sauces, gained very favorable attention and in 2007 we purchased Cherwood Nursery in Chawston which we renovated. Known for its 'Pick Your Own' chilli tunnel which is open to the public, the nursery has become the destination of choice for European hot pepper enthusiasts. In addition to fresh retail and wholesale chillies we also produce a selection of gourmet sauces, spice rubs, dried, smoked, frozen, and pickled chillies processed onsite in a 5 'Stars On The Doors' production kitchen. We also 'grow-to-order' for many other European hot sauce producers, restaurants, farm shops, delicatessens, and distinguished retailers such as Harrods and Fortnum and Mason. We host tours and workshops. Our chilli sauces are available from the nursery and local Waitrose stores. Edible Ornamentals has featured in the national daily press, The Economist and leading national trade publications The Grocer and Fresh Produce Journal. Joanna featured as a chilli expert on BBC's 3 Counties Radio, Radio 2's 'Chris Evans Show', and Radio 4's 'You and Yours' and has appeared in many TV programmes including Ready Steady Cook, Economy Gastronomy, Market Kitchen, Countrywise, Gordon Ramsay's 'Ultimate Cookery Course', 'The Hairy Bikers' and ITV's 'Sunday Brunch'. Heston Blumenthol visited and filmed an episode of his Channel 4 series "Great British Food" which featured Shawn and Heston eating a Trinidad Moruga Scorpion, hottest chilli in the world at that time. Edible Ornamentals won an extremely prestigious "Grower Of The Year Award" at the annual Horticultural Weekly sponsored event in 2011. That same year we were crowned "Best Chilli Grower UK" at the Fiery Foods Festival in Brighton. We were also named 'Local Food Hero' for East Anglia by the Good Food Channel's Market Kitchen and in 2015 awarded an extremely prestigious TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence.

Jazz & Blues club - live music every week - craft world beer, local ales, wine, gin and whisky. Occasional diversions to Comedy, Country, Classical & Americana.

Enjoy an authentic rural adventure on our beautiful river. After a little tuition, hop in one of our Canadian Canoes, kayaks, or SUP and paddle your way through stunning countryside, for a half, full, or two-day adventure. Pack a picnic, pack the dog, bring the kids and enjoy your day. Relax by camping in our private woodland beside the water, unwind around the campfire with only the starry skies above you. Our family business has won multiple awards including voted Top 3 places to SUP by RedBull Magazine and Top 52 places in the world by Lonely Planet. Canoe Trail also runs, Kids Birthday Parties, Whitewater Training, Corporate Team Building Events - we have hosted global brands including American Express, RSPB, Ordnance Survey, Best of Scotland canoe trip - a week canoeing based at our Highland private game lodge Duke of Edinburgh and Adventure School programmes for schools Yukon Canoe Expedition canoeing from Whitehorse to Dawson City following the Goldrush route.

Fly A Flight, flight simulation is based in Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire. It is a small, family run business which helps keep the costs down allowing our clients the best, personal experiences for the most affordable prices. Fly A Flight is run by a pilot with over 25 years of experience on many different types of light aircraft and many hours of 737 simulator training. The simulator is a fixed base Boeing 737NG to exact scale, running full commercial software and hardware for the novice. You do not need any previous flying experience to be able to take part! We can fly from any airport worldwide in any weather day or night and have many various scenarios available for all levels of ability. We now also offer a unique Spitfire MK9 and Messerschmitt BF109 flight experience. Both simulators built to original specifications with full working gauges and controls.

The Swiss Garden is a late Regency, nine acre garden, which is adjacent to the Shuttleworth Collection. The garden was created by the third Lord Ongley between 1820 and 1835, and is laid out in the romantic and Swiss picturesque style. It is the only complete example of this period and is open to the public all year round. The Swiss Garden has 13 listed structures including a Swiss Cottage, Indian Kiosk, and Grotto & Fernery and Victorian embellishments such as Pulhamite rockwork. It is licenced as a civil wedding venue, and outdoor events run throughout the year including the annua Mad Hatters tea party and open air theatre.

Open March to November, the basic train ride runs from Page's Park, on the south side of Leighton Buzzard, to Stonehenge Works, to the north of the town, and the return journey takes 80 minutes. Santa Specials operate in December, and the railway is closed in January and February. Party bookings can be made either on public services or on a charter basis. Refreshments are available at both ends of the line.