Skip to content

Meetings

The Kingfisher is a riverside pub with rooms, located on the River Great Ouse. Recently refurbished and opened in August 2022, it is the perfect venue to host your meeting or event. A short drive from Bedford town centre, the main house is a Grade II listed building and within the ground is an open and inspirational 13th Century Tithe Barn.

Our Spaces

At The Kingfisher, our meeting and event spaces in Bedford combine historic charm, riverside views and a warm, welcoming atmosphere to help your team get the most from every gathering. Whether you’re planning a small meeting, training day, conference or corporate event, we have flexible spaces, thoughtful packages and everything you need for a productive day. It’s the perfect place to bring people together, share ideas and make meetings feel a little less ordinary.

The Tithe Barn

For those looking to make an impression, The Tithe Barn delivers true wow factor. This rustic and inspirational 800-year-old barn accommodates up to 120 delegates and offers a unique blend of historic character and modern flexibility. With its atmospheric setting, exposed timber features and private bar, it provides the perfect backdrop for seminars, team-building events, conferences and corporate gatherings with a difference. The adjoining Pavilion adds another dimension to the space. Offering a relaxed breakout area for breaks and a private outside space for alfresco dining

Included:

  • Large events space
  • Characterful, historic setting
  • Suitable for 20 – 120 guests
  • Private bar
  • Private entrance
  • Pavilion breakout space

The Jetty and Tavern

The Jetty offers a unique waterside setting, perfect for informal meetings, team gatherings, and client entertaining in a relaxed riverside environment.

The Riverside Tavern is a characterful riverside space for up to 50 guests, featuring natural daylight, a bay window overlooking the river, and direct access to the Riverside Terrace. Ideal for meetings, networking events and private dining.

Included:

  • Flexible spaces full of character
  • Your choice of room set up
  • Suitable for 10 – 50 guests
  • Natural daylight
  • Direct access to The Jetty
  • Adjacent to the main restaurant

Northill and Southill

Located in the new wing of the house (that’s about 60 years old here!) both spaces can host up to 35 guests.

Bright, light and airy with air conditioning, these rooms are perfect for any meeting or event.

Included:

  • Flexible space
  • Your choice of room set up
  • Suitable for 10 – 35 guests
  • Natural daylight
  • Air conditioning

 

Delegate Rates

Our Riverside Meeting Package combines the essentials for a successful business event with the flexibility to make it your own.

From £36 per person

Every booking includes:

  • a private meeting space,
  • a barista style coffee station and ice water
  • a snack station including fresh fruits and biscuits
  • a locally sourced pub lunch with a soft drink.

Bespoke Upgrades

Looking to upgrade your day? We can offer a range of bespoke upgrades including: breakfast options, working buffets, street food, BBQ dining, drinks packages and even private river experiences on Badger our boat. Just let us know what would make your event more memorable for your guests.

24 Hour Rates

Our 24 hour delegate packages start from just £189 per person and include everything you would expect, along with a £25 per person dinner allowance for The Kingfisher, an overnight stay and the best breakfast in Bedford the following day!

Upgrades to King rooms are available for a £20 supplement per person.

Exclusive Use

Offering complete privacy and flexibility, exclusive use gives your delegates sole access to the venue and its facilities.

Ideal for conferences, company celebrations, and multi-day events, it provides a seamless experience in a unique riverside setting, with dedicated spaces for meetings, dining, and networking.

  • Team building
  • Product launches
  • Annual conferences
  • Company retreats
  • Training programmes and workshops
  • Awards ceremonies and gala dinners
  • Client hospitality and networking

 

Gather Riverside

Step away from the office and into a setting designed to inspire fresh thinking. Surrounded by beautiful riverside views, The Kingfisher provides the perfect environment for generating new ideas, encouraging collaboration, and helping teams gain a fresh perspective.

Team Building & Away Days

Bring teams together in a unique setting that encourages collaboration and creativity. Whether you’re planning a strategy day, company retreat, or team-building event, The Kingfisher provides the space, atmosphere, and hospitality needed to create engaging and memorable experiences.

Celebrations & Networking

Celebrate success, strengthen client relationships, and connect with colleagues in style. From awards dinners and company milestones to networking events and product launches, our distinctive venue and dedicated team ensure every occasion leaves a lasting impression.

Proudly Recognised

 

 

  • We’re proud to be an accredited member of the MIA demonstrating our dedication and commitment to excellence in our meetings and events offering

Location

The Kingfisher is located 30 minutes from Milton Keynes and 90 minutes from London. Catch a train and you will be here in 40 minutes! If its a plane you need, we are just 40 minutes to Luton Airport.

The Kingfisher (Formerly Barns Hotel),
Cardington Road,
Bedford
MK44 3SA

reservations@thekingfisherbedford.co.uk
01234 270044

‘Life is a river always flowing. Do not hold onto things. Work hard’

Gautama Buddha

Follow us

Whether it’s a long lunch with friends or a quiet dinner for two, our kitchen team put real thought into every plate that leaves the pass.

The kitchen has been SUPER busy over the summer, and the menu is full of dishes we’re really proud of. Think proper pub classics alongside plates made for sharing, cooked with produce from local suppliers we know and trust.

What’s your favourite Kingfisher dish? 👇

P.S have you tried our fondue evenings yet? 
Yes - YAY! We hope you loved it and are telling everyone you know how fab it was!
No - Why not! Tables are filling thick and fast so get booked in! ASAP!
Searching for Bedford’s cosiest staycation? You’ve just found it 🍂

A riverside pub and hotel on the River Great Ouse with fondue evenings and a comfy bed waiting upstairs. Your Bedfordshire winter break starts here.

NEW: Après After Hours 🫕
Book Après at The Jetty on any Friday or Sunday until the end of December and stay the same night for just £40pp. Your room code lands in your Après booking confirmation.

Sip and Stay from £109 per room: a chilled bottle of Prosecco on arrival and breakfast the next morning. Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays until 30th November.

Winter Getaway from £259 per room: two nights by the river with dinner on your second evening and a lazy 12pm check out. Thursday to Sunday until 20th December.

Or keep it simple and have 20% off our bed and breakfast stays, Thursday to Sunday until 30th November.

We can’t wait to have you 🤍
Today marks the start of this year’s Après at The Jetty 🫕 

From now on, every Friday-Sunday you can dip your way through the weekend. Be it cheese or gravy, there’s plenty to be excited about! 

Bedford, grab your coats and scarves because you’ll want to experience this 😋 

Decide who you’re bringing and book your table!
ONE WEEK TODAY…

…Until Sunday roasts look like this again. Yes, that’s right, it’s back. A full Sunday roast with more of the thing we all love the most - gravy! 

A trio of meats - beef, gammon and chicken
Giant yorkshires
Roasties
Parsnips and carrots

See you there Bedford. We’ve always got a table waiting 🍴
Cheese fondue by the river, under a heater, wrapped in a blanket 🫕 

Après at The Jetty is back at The Kingfisher from 2nd October. Friday and Saturday evenings for the cheese fondue, Sundays for the gravy fondue roast, all out on the riverside in Bedford.

It sold out fast last year. Table by the river or no table at all… choice is yours💡

Book via the link in our bio.
In spirit of bringing things back…

Mamma Mia by the River is back on Saturday 26th September. This time, tickets include a Greek buffet before the music starts 😋 

DOORS 12:30pm
GREEK BUFFET 1pm-2pm
MUSIC 2pm-4pm

It sold out quick in August so don’t miss out on this one! Link in bio to book
Bedford’s favourite dining spot is BACK… 🫕 

Après at The Jetty is making its return on Friday 2nd October. Expect the same cosy vibes, same dipping action and same fondue pots, with a few exciting changes to the menus. 

Fridays and Saturdays in Oct & Nov. 5-8pm.
Sundays in Oct & Nov. 12-3pm.

£30pp (because as we all know, fondue is a team sport) 

Head to the link in our bio to book your spot and find out more.
Soak up the last of the summer sunshine with us this September ☀️ 

We’ve got a busy month coming up (more on that soon!) but there will always be room for quiet afternoons by the river. 

Catch you all soon
A Bedford dessert spot you might not have thought about…

Cannoli trio (strawberry, chocolate & vanilla)
Roasted peach with honeycomb and vanilla ice cream
Lemon cheesecake with candied lemon and mixed berry compote

Who said you had to come for a whole meal? We’re here for the desserts 😋