How to find us

Coming to the Office

Our address is:

Beds & Luton Archives & Records Service, Riverside Building, County Hall, Cauldwell Street, Bedford MK42 9AP

Telephone: 01234 228833

Opening hours - no appointment required

Monday 9 am to 7 pm
Tuesday and Wednesday 9 am to 5 pm
Thursday: Closed
Friday 9 am to 5 pm

County Hall Location Map

You can view the County Hall Location Map| (new window) in PDF.  Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to view PDF files and a free version can be downloaded from the Adobe website| (external link).

How do I get to you from the railway and bus stations?

The railway & bus stations are about a 10 - 15 minute walk away from our building (see map above). The main railway station, served by First Capital Connect,  Midland Mainline and Silverlink services, has a taxi rank.

I want to travel by car, where are you situated in Bedford?

Can I park my car at County Hall?

Yes, subject to space being available (special provision exists for disabled visitors -see below). Turn onto the main County Hall site and drive up to the barrier. Press the intercom button marked 'Call' and say you are visiting the Archives Service. Drive through the car park  and beneath the raised walkway to the separate car park which is signed as ours. Alternatively, you can park in the Prebend Street car park which is across the road from the walkway to our building. It is used by staff and visitors to the County Hall building and is free. There is also a pay and display long stay car park in Melbourne Street, close to St.Johns railway station (Silverlink Bedford - Bletchley service). You can also use the Park & Ride Service - see the County Hall Location Map.

What do I do after I park my car of if I come on foot?

 

Come to the Riverside Building. The main entrance is on the first floor, which is reached by a footbridge/walkway from Prebend Street and connects to the car park by steep ramps and steps. Follow the signing for 'Archives Service'. See the map (right) for details.

 

 

 

I need to use a lift and/or require other assistance in getting to you - how can you help?

We welcome disabled visitors but we are well aware that access to our premises is awkward for  people in wheelchairs and those who have difficulty walking. We have pressed hard for improvements and continue to do so. We try to give you here as much advice as possible. If you have any other queries, then please ring us and we will try and accommodate your needs as best we can.

A. For people in wheelchairs

If you use a wheelchair you should:

• Park in the County Hall car park near the main entrance
• Go towards the main County Hall reception where you will find a bell to ring for assistance. Staff on reception will contact us to arrange for a member of our staff to accompany you through the main building
• Note that there is a toilet adapted for disabled people in the Riverside Building in which the Archives Service is based. It is to the right of the main entrance on the first floor.
• When you have finised a member of staff will escort you back to main reception or to your car.

B. For people with other mobility difficulties, pushchairs etc

Unfortunately all routes into the Riverside Building have either a few steps or require some walking. If you are restricted from walking any distance or require the lift to get to our second floor location, we will try to make access as easy as possible for you. The first thing is to come straight to the Riverside Building. There are allocated disabled car parking spaces in this section of the car park.

• If you are at car park level, then at the ground floor staff entrance (up 6 steps) use the telephone in the yellow box to contact the Archives Service so that a member of our staff can come down and let you in. You can then go up to the second floor in the lift.
• If you are at first floor level - the pedestrian footbridge level - enter the building through the glass doors and by the second door on the left you'll see a telephone on the wall. Use this to contact us so a member of staff can come down and bring you up in the lift.

C. Monday evening access 5 - 7pm

For security reasons, the glass entrance doors to the Riverside Building are locked at 5.20pm. Access to the office after 5.20pm is via the door at car park level. Use the telephone in the yellow box by the door to notify us of your arrival and gain admittance. Unfortunately, the door at car park level is only accessible via 6 steps. If this may be a problem for you please telephone us in advance for advice.

The car park intercom is not manned after 5pm do the barrier will be raised. You may wish to bring a mobile phone with you  to telephone us on (01234) 228833 if you have any problems.