Retire to a county with a rich heritage to uncover
With stately manors, ancient ruins and a range of curious museums, it's no wonder that Bedfordshire is such a popular spot for choosing a retirement home.
You can visit the 18th-century Woburn Abbey, the seat of the Duke of Bedford, see the 700-year-old remains of the Augustinian Bushmead Priory, or take a tour of the massive Wrest Park estate, inspired by historic Parisian houses.
You'll find the largest collection of horse-drawn carriages in Europe at the Stockwood Discovery Centre, over a hundred years of aviation history and aircraft displays at The Shuttleworth Collection, and exhibits on the traditional lace-making and hat-making industries of Luton at the Wardown Park Museum.
Discover a part of England that's full of nature and wildlife
From immense valleys to dedicated wildlife centres, you'll find plenty of greenery and diverse creatures to encounter around Bedfordshire.
You can hike up the chalk hills of Dunstable Downs, a part of the Chiltern Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, explore 300 acres of lakes and woodland at the Green Flag-winning Priory Country Park, or get involved with the community landscape-restoration projects around the Forest of Marston Vale and the Millennium Country Park.
You'll find more than 160 different species of birds at the Harrold-Odell Country Park, 350 acres of drive-through animal enclosures at Woburn Safari Park, and nearly 3,000 different animals at the hugely popular Whipsnade Zoo near Dunstable.