Bedford's got a lively riverside centre and some remarkable country estates a short drive away. Give us your date and venue and we'll send back who's available and a quote.
A Bedford magician for riverside celebrations
The Embankment along the Great Ouse is where Bedford goes to celebrate, and the Bedford Swan Hotel sits right on it. Its Georgian building is licensed for ceremonies, so lots of couples do the whole day there. Close-up magic at the drinks reception keeps everyone happy while you're out having photos by the river.
Bedford Corn Exchange, run by the borough council, is the town's biggest entertainment venue. It takes bookings for parties, conferences and private events in its main auditorium and smaller suites.
For a work do at the Corn Exchange, a magician's handy during the drinks before a show or dinner starts. It gets colleagues mixing, and it means the first half hour doesn't feel like a queue at the bar.
Estates, gardens and old aeroplanes
Some of the county's best venues are just outside town. The Shuttleworth estate at Old Warden, home of the famous vintage aircraft collection, holds weddings in its Regency Swiss Garden and around the house. Woburn Abbey's Sculpture Gallery, first built as an orangery, hosts ceremonies, receptions and corporate events overlooking private gardens.
Estate weddings often have long drinks receptions out on the lawn. That's perfect for a roaming magician. No stage to build, and the magic works just as well outside as in.
Outdoor receptions do depend on the weather, of course. The nice thing about close-up magic is that it doesn't care. If everyone ends up crammed into a marquee or the orangery, the magician just carries on.
Magic for mixed crowds
Bedford's one of the most diverse towns in the region, and a lot of celebrations here bring together several generations and cultures. Visual close-up magic goes down well with all of them, because it's about what people see happen in their own hands, not long explanations.
If there are particular traditions or timings on the day, like a separate evening reception or a meal served in stages, tell us. We'll plan the sets around them.
Birthdays, anniversaries and garden parties
Not every booking's a wedding. We regularly send magicians to milestone birthdays, ruby and golden anniversaries and summer garden parties around Bedford and its villages.
At a garden party, a magician who strolls between groups is ideal. At a sit-down anniversary meal, table magic between courses gets everyone chatting, and the guest of honour usually ends up starring in a trick or two.
Practical details and how booking works
Venues near the Embankment mostly rely on public car parks, so we check where a performer can unload. Old Warden and Woburn have parking on site, but it can be a fair walk to the event space, and we allow for that.
In summer it's worth glancing at the town's events calendar too. Big riverside events can make the centre very busy.
Pop your date, venue, guest numbers and the type of event into our quote form. We'll check which magicians are free and come back with options and a price that includes travel.
Once you've picked a magician, we confirm the timings with you and, if you like, with your venue too. Then you can cross it off the list.
