Pub with rooms, Bedford, Bedfordshire | d'Parys

Overview

The most coveted address in Bedford is De Parys Avenue, a wide, tree-lined street with grand Victorian villas in a peaceful location within walking distance of the river and the town centre.

Housed in one of these charming and charismatic buildings, close to Bedford Park and School, D'Pary's is Wells & Co's flagship inn and stands a short drive from the new Brewery and Visitor Centre - Brewhouse, Tap Room, Restaurant, Shop and Meeting Space. Be sure to book one of the tours during your stay.

The light and airy bar and dining rooms successfully combine period features with a cool, contemporary design and vibe, so expect the unexpected and a dose of quirk throughout the building. Note the ceiling made of colourful doors and blinds in the restaurant and how the bathrooms blend into the bedrooms - roll-top tubs or showers in the rooms.

The fabulous alfresco terrace, shaded by a vast sail canopy, is the place to sip sundowners on warm summer evenings.

Rooms from:

14 doubles: £90

Good to know

All credit cards accepted

Disabled access

Alfresco dining

Parking available

Wells Brewery Visitor Centre

The new brewhouse, taproom, eatery, brewery shop and meeting space is the place to find out more about Wells & Co and taste some great beer.

No car needed

Bedford station is a short taxi ride away or it's an easy walk through the town.

Rooms

Each of 14 beautifully refurbished rooms have their own unique style. Most are located in the original Grade II-listed Victorian house, the constraints of which has resulted in some interesting layouts, especially in the smaller rooms, where bathrooms are incorporated into the room.

Expect to find under-lit roll-top baths, walk-in showers (& baths) and contemporary sinks sunk into antique tables and washstands in these imaginatively designed rooms. In addition, rooms are very comfortably kitted out with rugs on wooden floors, quality linen, down and colourful woollen blankets on sleigh or four-foster beds with 1,000-sprung mattresses, plus antique furnishings, Nespresso machines and decent TVs.

The boutique rooms are named after beers and split into four types - Lovely, Very Lovely, Top-Notch and Signature. Top-Notch rooms are Bombardier & Russian Imperial (the penthouse in the new Barn conversion) are big rooms with seating areas, roll-top baths in the room and a separate shower. Ramrod is the Signature room (honeymoon suite) with double roll-top baths and a vast four-poster bed.

Restaurant & bar

Served throughout the informal bar, the Library area (also used as a private dining area) and the rambling dining room extension, the eclectic seasonal menu (with innovative weekend specials) trawls the globe for inspiration and champions comfort dishes, all freshly prepared using locally sourced ingredients.

In true gastropub fashion, nibble on artisan breads with balsamic and olive oil, start with the likes of Cumberland Scotch egg with spiced plum ketchup or bubble-and-squeak with poached egg and hollandaise, before tucking into pulled beef brisket pie, salmon and dill fishcakes, slow-roasted lamb shoulder or a classic Dexter burger with tomato jam and Asian slaw. Leave room for warm chocolate and pecan brownie. Wake up to an imaginative breakfast - interesting vegetarian options.

At the bar, expect a decent range of craft beers, including Charles Wells Triple Hop IPA brewed just down the road, a raft of spirits, notably an interesting array of boutique gins and vodkas.

Things to do

Twenty minutes from Bedford is Houghton House, once a 17th-century mansion set amongst magnificent views. Built in 1615, it was supposedly the inspiration for the 'House Beautiful' in John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress - its fascinating mix of Jacobean and Classical style make it a hit with both history and architectural buffs. Those interested in the author and Christian preacher John Bunyan can head to the museum dedicated to him - which tells the story of the Bedford novelist and his fascinating life.

A stone's throw from the river is Bedford Castle, built by the Normans soon after the invasion in order to dominate the Saxon settlement. Also nearby is Willington Dovecote, a 16th-century Dovecote and stable building in a tranquil spot beside Willington Church. As a nesting site for barn owls and kestrels, the dovecote is a great spot for avid birdwatchers. Special tours and events take place throughout the year, so keep an eye out for any seasonal activities.

Getting here

Directions

Nearest railway station: Bedford

Taxi from station: 5mins

Drive: Huntingdon 38mins; Cambridge 50mins

Address

45 De Parys Ave, Bedford, Bedfordshire MK40 2UA

Gallery

Enquire to book

To make a booking, please use the form below or you can call our reservations team on 020 8161 0100. Our phone lines are open Monday - Friday, 9am - 5.30pm.

d'Parys

From £90 per night