Bedfordshire Museums

10/09/2026

It’s special opening at Ridgmont Station Heritage Centre from tomorrow (11th September) until 20th September for Heritage Open Days!

Opening times during Heritage Open Days are Wednesday – Sunday 10:00 – 4:00.

Please note special Sunday opening!

Free guided tours provided by the Friends of Ridgmont Station, which include an opportunity to share your memories of the Marston Vale Line as part of the forthcoming 180th anniversary celebrations.

The Station Friends are also serving a range of refreshments including hot & cold drinks, sausage rolls, homemade cakes & scones from Cakes By Elaine, cream tea (savoury option available) and ice cream.

Call 01525 287120 for further information.

There are lots of other great places to visit across Milton Keynes arranged by our friends Living Archive as part of Heritage Open Days including a rare opportunity to visit one of Bedfordshire’s premier landmarks at All Saints Church Ridgmont (within walking distance of Ridgmont Station Heritage Centre).
Check out https://www.livingarchive.org.uk/content/news/heritage-open-days-is-bigger-than-ever




Ridgmont Station Heritage Centre
London Northwestern Railway
Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charity
Greensand Country
Marston Vale Community Rail Partnership Forest of Marston Vale
The Higgins Bedford Bedfordshire Archives Milton Keynes Museum
Community Rail Network
Ridgmont Village, Bedfordshire

02/07/2026

For all those people Looking for something for the summer holidays?

Planning summer holiday activities? Looking for affordable ‘cheap and cheerful’ arts and crafts to keep the children entertained for a few hours- then John Bunyan Museum has you covered (on Thursdays at least). Crafty Thursdays 11am-3pm (last entry 2.30pm) drop in - just £2 per child! Bedford England Best kept Secret Bedford Clanger

05/06/2026

Hop on the train to Milton Keynes (via Bletchley) for the fantastic Milton Keynes Model Railway Society Exhibition tomorrow (Saturday 6th June)!

There's something for all the family with layouts of all gauges, trade stands, demonstrations & refreshments! It's all happening at Walton High Brooklands Campus, Brooklands, MK10 7HE – 10:00 – 4:30.

Check out https://mkmrs.org.uk/2026

Frequent bus service from Milton Keynes Central Station via Arriva Route 3.

Don’t forget groups of 3 – 9 adults travel for a third off with GroupSave and Bedfordshire Bus Pass holders travel half-price (ticket available at staffed stations and on the train only).

Our friends Marston Vale Community Rail Partnership will be there with an information and sales stand – with some special show offers!

Cash only.



Ridgmont Station Heritage Centre
Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charity
London Northwestern Railway
Avanti West Coast
Community Rail Network
Beds & Herts Community Rail Partnership
East West Railway Company

29/05/2026

Great collaboration between Ridgmont Station Heritage Centre, Marston Vale Community Rail Partnership and the The Higgins Bedford for this special 180th Anniversary display of the Marston Vale Line. Take a visit before it finishes on Sunday 7th June!

17/04/2026

The East West Railway Company have launched their last route wide consultation.

Check out https://bit.ly/4t6RJex

A series of consultation events are being held across the Marston Vale Line starting on Saturday 25th April at the Summerlin Centre , Woburn Sands from 12pm - 5pm. (just a short walk from Woburn Sands Station).

Consultation materials are available to view at Ridgmont Station Heritage Centre from 22nd April during normal opening hours (Wednesday – Saturday 11am – 4pm).

The consultation is open until 9th June. Don’t miss the chance to have your say!


Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charity
Ridgmont Station Heritage Centre
London Northwestern Railway

02/04/2026

Our friends Marston Vale Community Rail Partnership are really looking forward to being part of Cracking Easter Fun at Bletchley Park on Saturday (4th April)!

It’s all part of the continuing Railway200 celebrations marking the 200th anniversary of the birth of modern railway.

Make your own model train or take part in other craft activities, become a Mini Map-Maker and learn about the railways while decorating the destinations you can visit along the Marston Vale Line. Write your own story inspired by all things trains and railways. Enter your picture or story into the Mini Map Maker's draw to see your artworks displayed at stations along the Marston Vale Line.

Our friends Kempston & District Model Railway Society will also be there with there with their fantastic N-gauge layout of Ridgmont Station.

Plus Bletchley Park activities including:
• Lego trains: build and code your own Lego locomotive, planning the fastest route from London to Bletchley.
• Map the route: Race against other players to collect important messages and choose the fastest route back to Bletchley Park to win the game.
• Logical leaps: With thousands of workers to co-ordinate, take on our logic challenge to unravel how the Codebreakers travelled to Bletchley Park every day.
• Transport trivia: Discover stories from our archives and uncover how important, and sometimes bizarre, transport was at Bletchley Park.
Drop in between 11:00 & 3:30. Activities most suitable for children aged 5 – 15 years, accompanied by an adult.
Activities included in Bletchley Park entry fee – 2 for 1 discount for rail passengers with a valid ticket.

Check out https://www.bletchleypark.org.uk/event/easter



Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charity
Ridgmont Station Heritage Centre
London Northwestern Railway

28/03/2026

23/03/2026

Our friends Marston Vale Community Rail Partnership are super proud to be the winners of the Best Community Engagement Project in the 2026 Community Rail Awards for Rails to Roots at Ridgmont Station Heritage Centre!

Check out https://www.marstonvalecommunityrail.org.uk/news for details of their winning project & the difference it is making to the community.



Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charity
Forest of Marston Vale
Beds & Herts Community Rail Partnership
London Northwestern Railway
EMR Community Rail

Community Rail Network