Well known for its lace industry and connections to notable figures such as John Bunyan and John Howard, the county town of Bedford has a long and fascinating history. Here you will discover the grim stories behind the gallows of Bedford Gaol, encounter the drama of the Great Flood of 1823, and find the ghostly link to the famous creator of Sherlock Holmes.

In Secret Bedford, local author Paul Adams takes the reader on an entertaining journey into the past, delving beneath the surface and blending dark deeds and strange tales with long-forgotten facts to reveal a hidden history that even most local people don’t know.