Scenic Bedford has parks, recreation and a range of housing types
At the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Bedford, the county seat, has an urban center surrounded by parks and recreation. The area also has a variety of housing types and is 28 miles from Lynchburg and Roanoke. “Bedford has everything you can think of, from mountain views to manmade lakes and historical sites. Most people come for the historical value and the scenery,” says Rich Northrup, a Realtor with Wainwright & Co., who has been working in the industry for 5 years. Bedford houses the D-Day National Memorial, as the town holds America’s highest per capita D-Day loss. Besides its historic significance, the area has several community parks with playgrounds and a Main Street for shopping and dining.
Community lakes and national memorials within the area
Several community parks are within the area, including Greenwood Park, which has benches, picnic tables, a basketball court and a playground. Edmund Street Park has similar amenities and a soccer field. Liberty Lake Park has a nearly 2-acre lake for fishing. Nearby are covered picnic tables and playgrounds. The park is surrounded by walking trails, and there are volleyball and tennis courts.
Bedford is home to the National D-Day Memorial, which celebrates and remembers the World War II D-Day veterans and those who fell in battle. Guided tours are hosted daily. In Green’s Drugstore, a historic site where many received telegrams and news on the war effort, is the Bedford Boys Tribute Center. The center honors the memories of the 20 soldiers from Bedford who lost their lives.
Various housing types and styles on manicured lots
Homes line gridded streets on manicured lots. There are various housing types, including single-family homes, manufactured homes, townhouses and condos. They are in the Colonial Revival, New Traditional and ranch-styles. Single-family homes range from $100,000 to $500,000, and townhouses and condos range from $204,000 to $430,000. “You can find anything you're looking for if you’re a veteran, a first-time home buyer, or if you want an investment property or upscale housing,” says Northrup.
Lynchburg Salem Turnpike leads to nearby cities
“Most people commute either to Lynchburg or Roanoke, but some work at the local hospital or companies,” says Nannette Turner, an associate broker with eXp Realty. Turner has worked in the industry since 2003. The Lynchburg Salem Turnpike leads from Bedford to Roanoke, 28 miles away and Lynchburg, also 28 miles away. “Roanoke isn’t that far away, and Bedford has its own hospital, and it's not very far from Lynchburg either,” says Northrup. “It’s right between Roanoke and Lynchburg.” Centra Bedford Memorial Hospital is the nearest hospital, and the Lynchburg Regional Airport is 20 miles away. Houses of worship, such as Bedford Church of God, Bible Truth Tabernacle and Bedford Presbyterian Church, line Main Street.
Shopping and dining along Main Street and other major roadways
Most restaurants and retailers are along Bedford’s Main Street, including Liberty Station, an old train station turned into an American restaurant. The restaurant is known for its homemade cheesecakes. Down the road, Bella Italia Restaurant serves classic Italian dishes and subs. For groceries, there’s a Food Lion and a Dollar General along US 221 and a Walmart Supercenter surrounded by popular chain restaurants along the Lynchburg Salem Turnpike.
Ghost tours, book clubs and a farmers market in Bedford
The Bedford Museum & Genealogical Library preserves and maintains the history of Bedford County. The library hosts seasonal historic and educational events, such as the Historic Ghost Walk Tour, which highlights crucial figures from Bedford’s past. The Bedford Central Library has weekly events such as Dungeons and Dragons sessions, book clubs and arts and crafts. The Bedford Farmers Market on Washington Street runs Saturdays from May through October.
Students may attend schools in Bedford County
Bedford County Public Schools, which gets a B from Niche, serves the area. Children attend Bedford Primary for prekindergarten through first grade, which gets a B, and Bedford Elementary, which receives a C-plus. Students continue to Liberty Middle and Liberty High, both get a B-minus. The Bedford school district offers a Career and Technical Education Program. Students may explore academic and career paths related to areas of study such as agriculture, business, technology and medicine.
Written By
Isabella Pontecorvo
