Ridgmont Station Heritage Centre
Visit this hidden gem at Ridgmont Railway Station on the Marston Vale rail line. The station building is built in the distinctive Victorian Gothic ‘Cottage Orné’ style, and the restoration has won a number of awards.
Book your afternoon tea experience
We're open for breakfast, lunch, coffee and cake, and afternoon tea (book in advance).
Opening hours are currently Thursday to Saturday - 10am to 4pm. Food is served 10am to 3pm
Request a table online, call 01525 287120 or email tearoom@bedsrcc.org.uk.
Please note that full afternoon tea needs to be booked 48 hours in advance. Adult's afternoon tea is £22.95 per person.
Ridgmont Office Space to Rent
One of our offices is available to rent, located on the first floor of Ridgmont Heritage Centre.
To view the office space, please book an appointment by contacting us on: 01234 832645 or heritagecentre@bedsrcc.org.uk.
The heritage centre is open!
Our museum is free to visit and you can enjoy a guided tour from one of our volunteers. Donations are welcome, and will go towards purchasing new items for the museum and updating displays.
Thank you so much to John from Rainham Rail Enthusiast for his lovely review of Ridgmont Heritage Centre. Read his blog post or watch the video below:
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Volunteer and group visiting opportunities
There are a number of volunteering opportunities available at the Ridgmont Station Heritage Centre – the Gift Shop and Museum are staffed by volunteers, and visits by schools and groups arriving by train are especially welcome. Group travel discounts are also available.
Join the Friends of Ridgmont Station
As well as engaging thousands of people in volunteering, bringing people together and creating pride in station and community, Station Friends play a critical role in making their stations welcoming, pleasant and attractive places.
Their work includes maintenance of floral displays and gardens at stations, and design and painting of murals. They are also the eyes and ears of their local station reporting any faults and issues. The Friends of Ridgmont Station are also in charge of staffing the Heritage Centre Gift Shop and giving tours of the Museum.
If you would like further details of both volunteering and group visiting opportunities, please call 01234 832645 or email heritagecentre@bedsrcc.org.uk
Walks
There are a variety of circular and linear walks starting from the Heritage Centre.
Useful downloads (see below):
- Greensand Ridge Walk
- Walk on the Wildsite (PDF)
- Three Hills Walk (PDF)
Getting here
Why not come by train? Hourly (approx) train service on the Marston Vale Line (Bedford to Bletchley) running Monday to Saturday – take the train to Ridgmont, have tea and cake in the Tea Room, look around the Gift Shop and Museum (if open), and then return on the next train.
You can buy tickets on the train if your joining station is unstaffed.
(Note: there are currently no trains on Sundays – unless locally advertised for special event - for example Bedford River Festival).
Passengers with Bedfordshire concessionary bus passes may travel on the Marston Vale line at half fare. Parties of more than two adults can get reduced rate travel, ask about GroupSave.
Driving
Conveniently located just off J13 of the M1. The building has its own car park (height restriction 2.1m / 6′ 10″) on the opposite side of the railway line. Disabled parking is available outside the Heritage Centre.
By bus
Hop on the regular 34 Grant Palmer bus from Flitwick & Ampthill - it stops right outside the Heritage Centre!
Get bus timetables on the Grant Palmer website
Location
Station Road
Ridgmont
Bedfordshire
MK43 0XP