Castle, Bedford
Encyclopedia
Castle is an electoral ward and area of Bedford
, Bedfordshire
, England
.
The boundaries of Castle are approximately Bromham
Road and Goldington
Road to the north, Denmark Street and George Street to the east, Rope Walk to the south, with the Midland Main Line
railway line and Ashburnam Road to the west.
The Castle area includes almost all of Bedford town centre
, as well as the eastern section of the Castle Road neighbourhood. Castle is the only area and ward in the town of Bedford to be located on both sides of the River Great Ouse
.
The name 'Castle' comes from Bedford Castle
which is located in the area. William II
granted the Barony of Bedford
to Paine de Beauchamp who built the castle
. The Castle was destroyed in 1224 by Henry III
. In 1166 The town of Bedford was given a Charter. This was when Bedford Market was founded in the Castle area.
To the south of the river, Cauldwell Priory
was built in the area by Franciscan
Friars in 1238. The priory included a leper colony
dedicated to St Leonard
. The priory was dissolved by King Henry VIII
in 1541, and around this time a new bridge
was built over the River Great Ouse
, and the town of Bedford began to expand to the south of the river. The river became navigable as far as Bedford by 1689. Up until this time, Bedford was a small agricultural town, with wool being an important industry in the area for much of the Middle Ages
. However, with the opening up of the River Great Ouse, wool declined in importance and brewing became a major industry in the town.
In 1660 John Bunyan
was imprisoned for 12 years in Bedford Gaol, which was located in the Castle area. It was here that he wrote The Pilgrim's Progress
.
The 19th Century saw Bedford transform into an important engineering
hub. In 1832 Gas lighting was introduced into the Castle area, and the railway reached Bedford in 1846. Bedford's Corn Exchange
was built in the area in 1849, and the first drains and sewers were dug in 1864. Bedford's growth in the 19th century saw the Castle area expand along the river to the east.
After the Second World War, the Cauldwell Street neighbourhood of terraced houses was demolished, making way for new offices and public buildings, including headquarters for Bedford College
and Bedfordshire County Council
.
, with all community services under the direct control of Bedford Borough Council
. Castle elects two councillors to Bedford Borough Council, one of which is currently from the Conservative Party
and the other is currently an independent
.
is located in Castle ward. This means many major High Street Shops and brands are located here. The main shopping areas of note are the High Street which includes a Debenhams
Department Store
, a Wilkinson store, bank
s, many pubs, nightclubs and restaurants. The Harpur Centre is Bedford's main shopping centre. Branches of Boots, TK Maxx, Primark
, Argos
and many other stores are located here. Located in the eastern section of the Castle Road neighbourhood there are a host of smaller independent shops and community stores.
Many of Bedford's central amenities are located in the Castle area, including Bedford's main post office
, town hall, market
, magistrates court, county court
, bus station
, police station
and Bedford railway station. Two of Bedford's largest hotels is located in the area - The Swan Hotel on the High Street, and the Bedford Park Inn situated across the river on St Mary's Street.
Also south of the river, there are a few more shops located around the St Mary's Street/St John's Street/Cauldwell Street area. It is here that Bedford College
is located, as well as a Farmfoods
store. Bedford Borough Hall, the administrative headquarters of Bedford Borough Council
is also located here.
or Goldington Academy in nearby areas. For upper school
education, most Castle students attend Biddenham Upper School
.
Bedford College (situated in Castle) offers a range of further education
courses including GCSEs, A Levels, Apprenticeships and Access courses.
Dame Alice Harpur School
is an independent school
for girls aged 7-18, located on Cardington Road in the Castle area. The school is part of the Harpur Trust
. The school will be renamed Bedford Girls' School
from September 2010, due to a merger with Bedford High School. The school will continue to be located on Cardington Road.
There are many places of worship in Castle, some of which serve the entire Bedford area -
. The Bedford Corn Exchange
, the Bedford Civic Theatre
, Bedford Museum & Art Gallery
and Esquires
(a live music venue) are also located in the area.
Bedford
Bedford is the county town of Bedfordshire, in the East of England. It is a large town and the administrative centre for the wider Borough of Bedford. According to the former Bedfordshire County Council's estimates, the town had a population of 79,190 in mid 2005, with 19,720 in the adjacent town...
, Bedfordshire
Bedfordshire
Bedfordshire is a ceremonial county of historic origin in England that forms part of the East of England region.It borders Cambridgeshire to the north-east, Northamptonshire to the north, Buckinghamshire to the west and Hertfordshire to the south-east....
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
.
The boundaries of Castle are approximately Bromham
Bromham
Bromham may refer to:* Bromham, Bedfordshire, a village in the county of Bedfordshire, England* Bromham, Wiltshire, a village in the county of Wiltshire, England...
Road and Goldington
Goldington
Goldington is an electoral ward and former village within the town of Bedford, Bedfordshire, England.The boundaries of Goldington are approximately Norse Road and Cemetery to the north and east, Goldington Road to the south, with Church Lane and Haylands Way to the west...
Road to the north, Denmark Street and George Street to the east, Rope Walk to the south, with the Midland Main Line
Midland Main Line
The Midland Main Line is a major railway route in the United Kingdom, part of the British railway system.The present-day line links London St...
railway line and Ashburnam Road to the west.
The Castle area includes almost all of Bedford town centre
Town centre
The town centre is the term used to refer to the commercial or geographical centre or core area of a town.Town centres are traditionally associated with shopping or retail. They are also the centre of communications with major public transport hubs such as train or bus stations...
, as well as the eastern section of the Castle Road neighbourhood. Castle is the only area and ward in the town of Bedford to be located on both sides of the River Great Ouse
River Great Ouse
The Great Ouse is a river in the east of England. At long, it is the fourth-longest river in the United Kingdom. The river has been important for navigation, and for draining the low-lying region through which it flows. Its course has been modified several times, with the first recorded being in...
.
History
Bedford Castle
Bedford Castle was a large medieval castle in Bedford, England. Built after 1100 by Henry I, the castle played a prominent part in both the civil war of the Anarchy and the First Barons' War. The castle was significantly extended in stone, although the final plan of the castle remains uncertain...
which is located in the area. William II
William II of England
William II , the third son of William I of England, was King of England from 1087 until 1100, with powers over Normandy, and influence in Scotland. He was less successful in extending control into Wales...
granted the Barony of Bedford
Barony of Bedford
-First creation:*Created for Paine de Beauchamp, by William Rufus*William de Beauchamp - forfeit for rebelling in the First Barons' War*Faukes de Brent - sent by King John of England to enforce William's forfeit, forfeit himself for rebellion under Henry III of EnglandExtinct? Merged?Merged to...
to Paine de Beauchamp who built the castle
Castle
A castle is a type of fortified structure built in Europe and the Middle East during the Middle Ages by European nobility. Scholars debate the scope of the word castle, but usually consider it to be the private fortified residence of a lord or noble...
. The Castle was destroyed in 1224 by Henry III
Henry III of England
Henry III was the son and successor of John as King of England, reigning for 56 years from 1216 until his death. His contemporaries knew him as Henry of Winchester. He was the first child king in England since the reign of Æthelred the Unready...
. In 1166 The town of Bedford was given a Charter. This was when Bedford Market was founded in the Castle area.
To the south of the river, Cauldwell Priory
Priory
A priory is a house of men or women under religious vows that is headed by a prior or prioress. Priories may be houses of mendicant friars or religious sisters , or monasteries of monks or nuns .The Benedictines and their offshoots , the Premonstratensians, and the...
was built in the area by Franciscan
Franciscan
Most Franciscans are members of Roman Catholic religious orders founded by Saint Francis of Assisi. Besides Roman Catholic communities, there are also Old Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, ecumenical and Non-denominational Franciscan communities....
Friars in 1238. The priory included a leper colony
Leper colony
A leper colony, leprosarium, or lazar house is a place to quarantine leprous people.-History:Leper colonies or houses became widespread in the Middle Ages, particularly in Europe and India, and often run by monastic orders...
dedicated to St Leonard
Leonard of Noblac
Leonard of Noblac or of Limoges or de Noblet , is a Frankish saint closely associated with the town and abbey of Saint-Léonard-de-Noblat, in Haute-Vienne, in the Limousin of France.-Traditional biography:According to the romance that...
. The priory was dissolved by King Henry VIII
Henry VIII of England
Henry VIII was King of England from 21 April 1509 until his death. He was Lord, and later King, of Ireland, as well as continuing the nominal claim by the English monarchs to the Kingdom of France...
in 1541, and around this time a new bridge
Bridge
A bridge is a structure built to span physical obstacles such as a body of water, valley, or road, for the purpose of providing passage over the obstacle...
was built over the River Great Ouse
River Great Ouse
The Great Ouse is a river in the east of England. At long, it is the fourth-longest river in the United Kingdom. The river has been important for navigation, and for draining the low-lying region through which it flows. Its course has been modified several times, with the first recorded being in...
, and the town of Bedford began to expand to the south of the river. The river became navigable as far as Bedford by 1689. Up until this time, Bedford was a small agricultural town, with wool being an important industry in the area for much of the Middle Ages
Middle Ages
The Middle Ages is a periodization of European history from the 5th century to the 15th century. The Middle Ages follows the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 and precedes the Early Modern Era. It is the middle period of a three-period division of Western history: Classic, Medieval and Modern...
. However, with the opening up of the River Great Ouse, wool declined in importance and brewing became a major industry in the town.
In 1660 John Bunyan
John Bunyan
John Bunyan was an English Christian writer and preacher, famous for writing The Pilgrim's Progress. Though he was a Reformed Baptist, in the Church of England he is remembered with a Lesser Festival on 30 August, and on the liturgical calendar of the Episcopal Church on 29 August.-Life:In 1628,...
was imprisoned for 12 years in Bedford Gaol, which was located in the Castle area. It was here that he wrote The Pilgrim's Progress
The Pilgrim's Progress
The Pilgrim's Progress from This World to That Which Is to Come is a Christian allegory written by John Bunyan and published in February, 1678. It is regarded as one of the most significant works of religious English literature, has been translated into more than 200 languages, and has never been...
.
Engineering
Engineering is the discipline, art, skill and profession of acquiring and applying scientific, mathematical, economic, social, and practical knowledge, in order to design and build structures, machines, devices, systems, materials and processes that safely realize improvements to the lives of...
hub. In 1832 Gas lighting was introduced into the Castle area, and the railway reached Bedford in 1846. Bedford's Corn Exchange
Corn exchange
A corn exchange or grain exchange was a building where farmers and merchants traded cereal grains. Such trade was common in towns and cities across Great Britain and Ireland until the 19th century, but as the trade became centralised in the 20th century many such buildings were used for other...
was built in the area in 1849, and the first drains and sewers were dug in 1864. Bedford's growth in the 19th century saw the Castle area expand along the river to the east.
After the Second World War, the Cauldwell Street neighbourhood of terraced houses was demolished, making way for new offices and public buildings, including headquarters for Bedford College
Bedford College (Bedford)
Bedford College is a further education college in the Cauldwell area of Bedford, Bedfordshire, England. It is the only public further education college in the Borough of Bedford, and it is a member of the 157 Group of high performing schools....
and Bedfordshire County Council
Bedfordshire County Council
Bedfordshire County Council was the county council of the non-metropolitan county of Bedfordshire in England. It was established in 1889 and was abolished on 1 April 2009. The county council was based in Bedford. It was replaced with three unitary authorities: Bedford Borough Council, Central...
.
Governance
Castle is an unparished areaUnparished area
In England, an unparished area is an area that is not covered by a civil parish. Most urbanised districts of England are either entirely or partly unparished. Many towns and some cities in otherwise rural districts are also unparished areas and therefore no longer have a town council or city...
, with all community services under the direct control of Bedford Borough Council
Bedford (borough)
Bedford is a unitary authority with the status of a borough in the ceremonial county of Bedfordshire, England. Its council is based at Bedford, which is also the county town of Bedfordshire. The borough contains a single urban area, the 69th largest in the United Kingdom that comprises Bedford and...
. Castle elects two councillors to Bedford Borough Council, one of which is currently from the Conservative Party
Conservative Party (UK)
The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House...
and the other is currently an independent
Independent (politician)
In politics, an independent or non-party politician is an individual not affiliated to any political party. Independents may hold a centrist viewpoint between those of major political parties, a viewpoint more extreme than any major party, or they may have a viewpoint based on issues that they do...
.
Economy
Virtually all of the Bedford's central business districtCentral business district
A central business district is the commercial and often geographic heart of a city. In North America this part of a city is commonly referred to as "downtown" or "city center"...
is located in Castle ward. This means many major High Street Shops and brands are located here. The main shopping areas of note are the High Street which includes a Debenhams
Debenhams
Debenhams plc is a British retailer operating under a department store format in the UK, Ireland and Denmark, and franchise stores in other countries. The Company was founded in the eighteenth century as a single store in London and has now grown to around 160 shops...
Department Store
Department store
A department store is a retail establishment which satisfies a wide range of the consumer's personal and residential durable goods product needs; and at the same time offering the consumer a choice of multiple merchandise lines, at variable price points, in all product categories...
, a Wilkinson store, bank
Bank
A bank is a financial institution that serves as a financial intermediary. The term "bank" may refer to one of several related types of entities:...
s, many pubs, nightclubs and restaurants. The Harpur Centre is Bedford's main shopping centre. Branches of Boots, TK Maxx, Primark
Primark
Primark is a clothing retailer, operating over 223 stores in Ireland , the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Germany, Spain, Portugal and Belgium...
, Argos
Argos (retailer)
Argos is the largest general-goods retailer in the United Kingdom and Ireland with over 800 stores. It is unique amongst major retailers in the UK in that it is a catalogue merchant...
and many other stores are located here. Located in the eastern section of the Castle Road neighbourhood there are a host of smaller independent shops and community stores.
Many of Bedford's central amenities are located in the Castle area, including Bedford's main post office
Post office
A post office is a facility forming part of a postal system for the posting, receipt, sorting, handling, transmission or delivery of mail.Post offices offer mail-related services such as post office boxes, postage and packaging supplies...
, town hall, market
Market
A market is one of many varieties of systems, institutions, procedures, social relations and infrastructures whereby parties engage in exchange. While parties may exchange goods and services by barter, most markets rely on sellers offering their goods or services in exchange for money from buyers...
, magistrates court, county court
County Court
A county court is a court based in or with a jurisdiction covering one or more counties, which are administrative divisions within a country, not to be confused with the medieval system of county courts held by the High Sheriff of each county.-England and Wales:County Court matters can be lodged...
, bus station
Bus station
A bus station is a structure where city or intercity buses stop to pick up and drop off passengers. It is larger than a bus stop, which is usually simply a place on the roadside, where buses can stop...
, police station
Police station
A police station or station house is a building which serves to accommodate police officers and other members of staff. These buildings often contain offices and accommodation for personnel and vehicles, along with locker rooms, temporary holding cells and interview/interrogation rooms.- Facilities...
and Bedford railway station. Two of Bedford's largest hotels is located in the area - The Swan Hotel on the High Street, and the Bedford Park Inn situated across the river on St Mary's Street.
Bedford College (Bedford)
Bedford College is a further education college in the Cauldwell area of Bedford, Bedfordshire, England. It is the only public further education college in the Borough of Bedford, and it is a member of the 157 Group of high performing schools....
is located, as well as a Farmfoods
Farmfoods
Farmfoods is a Scottish supermarket chain operating throughout the United Kingdom. Farmfoods predominately sells frozen food and also grocery items.- History :...
store. Bedford Borough Hall, the administrative headquarters of Bedford Borough Council
Bedford (borough)
Bedford is a unitary authority with the status of a borough in the ceremonial county of Bedfordshire, England. Its council is based at Bedford, which is also the county town of Bedfordshire. The borough contains a single urban area, the 69th largest in the United Kingdom that comprises Bedford and...
is also located here.
Education
There are two lower schools in Castle - Priory Lower School located on Greyfriars, and Castle Lower School situated on Goldington Road. There are no other state schools in the area, and most older Castle students attend Newnham Middle SchoolNewnham Middle School
Newnham Middle School is a school in the De Parys area of Bedford, England.The middle school is situated on Polhill Avenue, and usually takes pupils aged 9-13 from the De Parys and Newnham areas of Bedford. Most of the schools graduating students go on to attend either Mark Rutherford Upper School...
or Goldington Academy in nearby areas. For upper school
Upper school
Upper Schools tend to be schools within secondary education. Outside England, the term normally refers to a section of a larger school. There is some variation in the use of the term in England.-State Maintained Schools:...
education, most Castle students attend Biddenham Upper School
Biddenham Upper School
Biddenham Upper School is a 13-19 coeducational state comprehensive school serving the Brickhill, Harpur and Queens Park areas of Bedford plus the village of Biddenham, England. The school holds Specialist Sports College status...
.
Bedford College (situated in Castle) offers a range of further education
Further education
Further education is a term mainly used in connection with education in the United Kingdom and Ireland. It is post-compulsory education , that is distinct from the education offered in universities...
courses including GCSEs, A Levels, Apprenticeships and Access courses.
Dame Alice Harpur School
Dame Alice Harpur School
Dame Alice Harpur School is an independent girls school in Bedford, United Kingdom, for girls aged 11-18. In September 2010 the junior department of the school merged with the junior department of Bedford High School...
is an independent school
Independent school
An independent school is a school that is independent in its finances and governance; it is not dependent upon national or local government for financing its operations, nor reliant on taxpayer contributions, and is instead funded by a combination of tuition charges, gifts, and in some cases the...
for girls aged 7-18, located on Cardington Road in the Castle area. The school is part of the Harpur Trust
Harpur Trust
The Bedford Charity is a charity in Bedford, England which is principally concerned with the operation of private schools. The Bedford Charity is the legal name, but it is most often referred to as the Harpur Trust....
. The school will be renamed Bedford Girls' School
Bedford Girls' School
Bedford Girls' School is an independent school for girls which opened in September 2010 in Bedford, England. The school is a result of a merger of Bedford High School and Dame Alice Harpur School, and is operated by the Harpur Trust...
from September 2010, due to a merger with Bedford High School. The school will continue to be located on Cardington Road.
Religious sites
- St Paul's Church, Bedford (Church of EnglandChurch of EnglandThe Church of England is the officially established Christian church in England and the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The church considers itself within the tradition of Western Christianity and dates its formal establishment principally to the mission to England by St...
), located on St Paul's Square - Bedford Spiritualist Church, located on Ashburnam Road
- Italian Pentecostal Church, also on Ashburnam Road
- Mount Zion Church, located on Midland Road
- St Joseph & The Holy Child Roman Catholic Church, also on Midland Road
- St Frances Cabrini Italian Church, located on Woburn Road
- Rutland Road Church, located on Rutland Road
- The Miracle of God in Christ Church, located on Alexandra Road
- The Bedford Jamee Masjid & Islamic Cultural Centre, located on Brereton Road
- Bedford Pentecostal Church, located on Roise Street
- The Salvation ArmySalvation ArmyThe Salvation Army is a Protestant Christian church known for its thrift stores and charity work. It is an international movement that currently works in over a hundred countries....
run the Bedford Congress Hall, located on Commercial Road - The Bedford Bangladeshi Mosque & Islamic Mission, also on Commercial Road
- The Bunyan Meeting Free Church & John Bunyan MuseumJohn Bunyan MuseumJohn Bunyan Museum is a museum primarily dedicated to the life, times and works of John Bunyan. The museum is located in Bedford, Bedfordshire, England....
, located on Mill Street - Polish Church of Sacred Heart of Jesus & St Cuthbert, also on Mill Street
- The Panacea SocietyPanacea SocietyThe Panacea Society is a religious group based in Bedford, England. The Society was founded by Mabel Barltrop in 1919 at 12 Albany Road, Bedford. Its inspiration was and is the teachings of the Devonshire prophetess Joanna Southcott . Barltrop took the name Octavia and believed herself to be...
has its international headquarters on Albany Road - The Providence BaptistBaptistBaptists comprise a group of Christian denominations and churches that subscribe to a doctrine that baptism should be performed only for professing believers , and that it must be done by immersion...
Chapel, located on Rothsay Road - The St Josaphat Ukrainian Church (Byzantine Rite), located on York Street
- St John's and St Leonard's Church (Church of EnglandChurch of EnglandThe Church of England is the officially established Christian church in England and the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The church considers itself within the tradition of Western Christianity and dates its formal establishment principally to the mission to England by St...
), located on St Johns Street and Victoria Road - Southside Family Church (NewfrontiersNewfrontiersNewfrontiers is a neocharismatic apostolic ministry network of evangelical, charismatic churches founded by Terry Virgo. It forms part of the British New Church Movement, which began in the late 50s and 60s combining features of Pentecostalism with British evangelicalism...
), also on St Johns Street - The Kings Arms Church (NewfrontiersNewfrontiersNewfrontiers is a neocharismatic apostolic ministry network of evangelical, charismatic churches founded by Terry Virgo. It forms part of the British New Church Movement, which began in the late 50s and 60s combining features of Pentecostalism with British evangelicalism...
) meets at Dame Alice Harpur SchoolDame Alice Harpur SchoolDame Alice Harpur School is an independent girls school in Bedford, United Kingdom, for girls aged 11-18. In September 2010 the junior department of the school merged with the junior department of Bedford High School...
on Cardington Road
Community facilities
The main open space in the Castle area is Russell Park and the Embankment of the River Great OuseRiver Great Ouse
The Great Ouse is a river in the east of England. At long, it is the fourth-longest river in the United Kingdom. The river has been important for navigation, and for draining the low-lying region through which it flows. Its course has been modified several times, with the first recorded being in...
. The Bedford Corn Exchange
Corn Exchange, Bedford
Bedford Corn Exchange is located on St Paul's Square in the Castle area of Bedford, Bedfordshire, England.-History of the Corn Exchange:The building was designed to be a concert venue and meeting space, as well as a place of business. The basement contained offices, cloakrooms, kitchen, hall...
, the Bedford Civic Theatre
Bedford Civic Theatre
The Bedford Civic Theatre is a theatre located on Horne Lane in the town centre of Bedford, Bedfordshire, England.The theatre is operated by the Corn Exchange, Bedford and hosts a variety of events, exhibitions and performances. Groups such as the Bedford Marianettes regularly produce plays and...
, Bedford Museum & Art Gallery
Bedford Museum & Art Gallery
Cecil Higgins Art Gallery & Bedford Museum is the principal art gallery and museum in Bedford, Bedfordshire, England, run by Bedford Borough Council and the Trustees of the Cecil Higgins Collection.- Overview :...
and Esquires
Bedford Esquires
Bedford Esquires is a pub, nightclub and live music venue, located in the town of Bedford, Bedfordshire, England.The venue is housed in a converted 19th century chapel. On the ground-floor is a regular pub and nightclub, mostly specialising in indie and alternative rock music.Both floors are used...
(a live music venue) are also located in the area.