Bedford, a small town about 50
miles north of London, is the place I’ve been calling home for nearly two years
now. I can’t claim it’s my favourite place in the world (or even up there in
the top 40!), but it does have its pleasant spots, including for those of us
who like to get out of the house to do our writing. Here are five I’d
recommend.
Frescoes, Mill Street
I first discovered this café on a
bitterly cold Good Friday during my first week in Bedford, when in search
of free WiFi. I found not only that, but good coffee and amazing cake, with a
warm welcome for this lone soul who knew no one in the town. I have been back
many times since and this is probably my favourite place to write; the WiFi
connection is always great, the food and drink on offer is good (although I can
no longer eat the cakes, being dairy-free, they’ll make hot drinks with soya
milk, and they offer gluten-free bread for those who need it too), and I’ve
never felt hurried along whilst in there.
The Ship, St Cuthbert’s Street
No WiFi (or at least not the last
time I was there), but if you’re working with pen and paper on a sunny day, you
can’t beat a glass of something cold out in the expansive beer garden here
whilst you thrash out your words. I went one Sunday afternoon when I had a 500
word flash fiction to pull into shape, but it was too lovely outside to stay
indoors. The lack of WiFi actually means fewer distractions!
Bedford Central Library, Harpur Street
Don’t forget your local public
library! Join (for free!) if you haven’t already, and you can use the computers
or the free WiFi. You can find a spot to work amongst the shelves, or go and
grab a coffee in the cafe and people-watch over the market whilst you write.
Coffee With Art, High Street
It feels like a bit of a cliché to
recommend a café with a whole wall made of books as a writing venue, but it
really is a fabulous place! Great choice of tea and coffee, lunch foods are
available, and the cakes look amazing. The WiFi works well and on Sundays they
sometimes have live acoustic music to accompany your scribbling. Plus a wall
made of books. And art. What more could you want?
 |
| It had to be done! |
River Great Ouse, The Embankment
Alternatively, leave the coffee,
booze and WiFi behind, and take a seat on one of the benches along the river in
town. Watch the people strolling/jogging/cycling past, or the wildlife and
boats gliding by on the water, while you wait for inspiration to strike.
What do you think – is there a great writing spot here that I haven’t discovered
yet?
