Guides
The project, the practical admin of arriving, and how to actually get around.
What is actually being built at Kempston Hardwick
The Universal resort is being built on the old London Brick brickfields at Kempston Hardwick, south of the A421 and about 4 miles from Bedford town centre.
- Universal United Kingdom Resort is being built on the former London Brick Company brickfields at Kempston Hardwick, between Kempston and Stewartby, just south of the A421.
- It includes a theme park with several themed lands, a 500-room hotel, and a retail, dining and entertainment district.
Moving to Bedford for work: the practical bits
Registering with a GP, finding a dentist, opening a bank account, sorting a room and working out which bit of town suits you. The admin nobody explains.
- You can register with a GP without proof of address or immigration status. Do it when you arrive, not when you get ill.
- NHS dental places are hard to get across England including here — if you find a practice taking NHS patients, register even if nothing hurts.
Getting around Bedford and out to the site
Kempston Hardwick station is a request stop on the Marston Vale line between Bedford and Bletchley, right beside the Universal site. How to plan around it.
- Bedford has two stations. Bedford Midland is the main line to London; Bedford St Johns is the small one, and it is the one that matters for the Universal site.
- The Marston Vale line runs Bedford to Bletchley and stops at Kempston Hardwick — the site itself.
Childcare in Bedford: your options when you move for work
A practical guide for people moving to Bedford for the Universal UK build, covering nurseries, childminders, funded hours, shift work and settling in.
- Compare nurseries, childminders, wraparound clubs and nannies before choosing.
- Check Ofsted registration and read the latest report rather than relying on a grade alone.
Cranfield housing plan back on the table after summer rejection
A 150-home scheme on the edge of the Forest of Marston Vale is heading back to Bedford's planning committee this week, nearly three months after councillors first said no.
- It’s the kind of Monday morning email that makes you do a double-take: another housing application on the edge of Cranfield, this one for 150 homes on a 20-acre site tucked into the northern edge of the Forest of Marston Vale.
- If you’ve been following local planning – or if you’ve simply noticed more diggers around the A507 corridor – you’ll know this one isn’t new.
Product Recall: Aginode LANmark-OF Micro-Bundle Universal 12x Multimode Cable (2507-0172)
A product recall has been issued for Aginode LANmark-OF Micro-Bundle Universal 12x Multimode Cable (2507-0172) due to fire safety concerns.
- If you've recently had any building or renovation work done, or if you're planning some, there's a product recall you should know about.
- GOV.