Trains to Marston Vale Line

Enjoy £1 tickets between Bletchley and Bedford.

Between 19/02/24 – 19/05/24 you can enjoy £1 single tickets (£2 return) between Bletchley and Bedford.

  • The promoter of this offer is London Northwestern Railway – operated by West Midlands Trains.
  • The £1 offer is valid for single tickets (£2 return), for journeys wholly made on the Marston Vale line between Bletchley and Bedford.
  • The promotion is based on per ticket.
  • All normal discount schemes remain in place for these fares, subject to any associated terms and conditions.
  • It is important to note that there are no changes to Season tickets within this offer.
  • Purchases are valid for travel only on the date shown on your ticket, and subject to any restrictions shown on the ticket.
  • Tickets are subject to normal refund and exchange terms and conditions. See our Refunds & Exchanges for full information.

Hop aboard the Marston Vale Line that traverses central Bedfordshire’s rolling hills, quaint villages and natural beauty.

More than just travel, it is a thread connecting the fabric of English culture, where the journey itself is part of the destination.

Culture and heritage

Discover the rural heart of Bedfordshire, one of England’s smallest counties, on this 16-mile journey through Marston Vale connecting Bedford and Bletchley.

Originally part of the Oxford-Cambridge varsity line, it closed in 1967, reopening in 2023 as part of a Community Rail Partnership . The service links charming villages and hamlets, presenting a 45-minute window to England's soul. The line starts in the county town of Bedford, where you can explore the ancient market and its historic streets.

Along the line, find pretty stone churches, model Victorian stations and glimpses of village life. Picturesque villages with traditional pubs, village greens and quiet canal towpaths, offer a peaceful step back in time. Lidlington and Stewartby embody the unique English charm their names suggest.

Continue along the track to Ridgmont and discover its award-winning Heritage Centre inside the restored Victorian station.

The village of Aspley Guise is a must-see for those enthralled by the rich local WWII connection to Bletchley, with no less than 29 listed buildings. Even its pub, The Anchor , dates back a couple of centuries.

For an authentic dose of English Heritage, visit either the 17th-century mansion Houghton House in Ampthill or historic Wrest Park in Silsoe.

The line terminates at Bletchley, where codebreakers famously deciphered German Enigma messages during WWII at the once top-secret Bletchley Park.

Attractions

The Marston Vale Line invites you to hop on and hop off to uncover local attractions at your own pace.

From Bedford take the train to Ridgmont Station and explore the station’s Heritage Centre , housed in the beautiful Victorian ‘Gothic Orne’ station building. The museum echoes the nostalgia of the rail's golden age with a fascinating glimpse into the past through its collection of railway memorabilia and artefacts.

Step off the train at Aspley Guise for a family visit to the National Animal Welfare Trust.

Continue to the line’s terminus at Bletchley and spend hours uncovering the top-secret history of codebreaking at Bletchley Park . A haven for history buffs, the sprawling estate includes The National Museum of Computing , Alan Turing’s office, huts crammed with Enigma machines and interactive exhibits explaining how cryptography changed the course of WWII.

Venture further afield and jump in a taxi to Woburn Safari Park to see wild animals roaming freely and glimpse an iconic English stately home.

Children can pick up a Marston Vale Line Symbol Spot Trail, when purchasing child train tickets at Bedford, Bletchley and Milton Keynes Central stations or when visiting Ridgmont Heritage Centre during normal opening hours with a valid train ticket. The aim is to collect rubbings of spots at each station. Spots including letters, numbers, shapes, map symbols, signs and rail safety items.

Whether this revived service is a convenient A to B or a leisurely day of exploration for all the family, there’s no denying the unique appeal of the Marston Vale line.

Food and drink

Fuel up with delicious local flavours at the charming eateries along the Marston Vale railway line.

In Bedford, Riverside Bedford is a modern dining and entertainment complex with plenty of restaurant options, while nearby Gunn’s Bakery is famous for the double-ended Bedford Clanger - a two-course meal in one!

In Ridgmont station, the Ridgmont Heritage Centre tearoom offers breakfast, lunch and a ‘sparkling’ afternoon tea in the original ladies waiting room as well as an outdoor seating area.

Along the line at Wootton, enjoy contemporary British cuisine at The Woburn Hotel with an extensive menu and wine list with over 50 varieties. Try their Sunday roast and mouthwatering desserts.

In the historic village of Aspley Guise, savour the charms of The Anchor. With dishes sourced from the surrounding area, it epitomises the essence of English gastro pub fare.

In Ampthill, for those looking for something a little different, try a tour of the Kelchner Brewery

At Fenny Stratford grab a sneaky pint in the Red Lion Pub overlooking the lock on the Grand Union Canal.

Grab a final pitstop In Bletchley Park for coffee and cake in the historical 1940s-themed cafe or upgrade to posh afternoon tea at the mansion.

Sports and outdoors

Experience the beauty of rural Bedfordshire along the Marston Vale Line. Ramble through gentle countryside, cycle winding backroads or paddle quietly down rivers and canals.

Hire a bike and cycle in Bedford along the River Great Ouse. Pick up the Marston Vale Line at Kempston Hardwick for a route to Aspley Guise and back.

Hire canoes and kayaks in Bedford or Kempston to paddle sections of the river.

Between Millbrook and Lidlington, explore linear walks or along the tree-lined canal towpath from Lidlington to Brogborough.

Take a break at Millbrook Station to see the Community Rail’s unique bench and poem dedicated to Captain Sir Tom Moore.

For an adrenaline fix, head to Millbrook Proving Ground and watch the testing of new vehicle technologies on closed roads. Book onto a thrilling driving experience like Junior Drive or Off Road Drive.

From Ridgmont Station, access the quiet country lanes and bridleways of Marston Vale Forest Park .

Just an easy one-mile stroll from Millbrook station the Millennium Country Park is perfect for a family day out, and caters to walkers, cyclists and horse riding. Enjoy truly peaceful moments fishing or birdwatching.

Music and nightlife

Marston Vale offers a taste of countryside living, where village pubs host community events and provide evening entertainment options along the line.

At Aspley Guise, the dog-friendly Anchor pub loves a 2-for-1 cocktail night. Look out for their monthly quizzes and celebration parties.

Local village pubs like The Legstraps in Wootton and The Bell in Marston Moretaine host comedy nights, regular DJ slots and summer fun days, while The Chequers Inn is great for a quiet pint.

The Forest of Marston Vale Centre is host to regular music tribute nights.

At the end of the line, Bletchley’s nightlife centres around lively sports bar Eight Belles and Captain Ridley’s Shooting Party.

Shopping

From local artisan wares to major retail outlets, Marston Vale offers a mix of shopping experiences or all interests and budgets.

Stop by some of the villages to shop for gifts and one-of-a-kind finds.

Ridgmont Station is a delightful example of Victorian railway heritage, with Gothic architecture in an ornate "Cottage Orné" style. Here you’ll find the Ridgmont Heritage Centre , where you can browse the gift shop with railway memorabilia, locally made gifts, books, and wall art.

At the Forest Centre in Marston Moretaine, be sure to pop in to the gift shop at Marston Vale Forest Centre with a café.

Bedford's town centre offers high street chains at The Harpur Centre with everything from fashion to gifts. Don’t miss The Edwardian Arcade , if independent retail outlets are more up your street.

Discover Bletchley's mix of high street brands, markets and boutiques or venture further afield into Milton Keynes for the big retail parks and the MK1 shopping mall.

How to buy train tickets for the Marston Vale Line?

If you’re travelling from an unstaffed station, you can purchase your train tickets online or from the Senior Conductor on board the train. The Marston Vale Line has only two staffed ticket offices, located at Bedford and Bletchley.

Where can I find the timetable for the Marston Vale Line?

You can find downloadable timetables on our Timetable and Schedules page. We also upload our timetables to online journey planners, including our app.

How to get involved in Marston Vale Community Rail Partnership?

London Northwestern Railway is committed to fostering community rail partnerships and station adoption groups across Britain. Our goal is to engage communities and help people make the most of their railways. The Marston Vale Community Rail Partnership is one of many such partnerships across the country that we support.

If you’re interested in getting involved with the Marston Vale CRP, you can contact [email protected] or visit the Marston Vale Community website .