🏡A FREE MUSEUM IN BEDFORD- The Panacea, a beautiful Victorian House.
Discover the amazing story of the unique religious community that created its own Garden of Eden in the centre of Bedford. The museum has beautiful gardens to walk around.

⭐OPEN:
Thursday - Sunday, 11am - 5pm
(last admission 4.30pm)

📖 SOME INTERESTING HISTORY
The Panacea Society was originally called ‘The Community of the Holy Ghost’, and was made up mostly of women. Its leader was Mabel Barltrop – the widow of an English clergyman, and mother of four children– whose followers called her ‘Octavia’.

Octavia. The founder of the Panacea Society.

During the 1920s, followers of the Panacea Society moved to Bedford to live near Octavia. Eventually, the community was able to combine the gardens of several properties to form ‘the campus’ – a private space between the community houses, with a chapel at its centre.

From this headquarters, the Society operated a religious organisation which reached across the world. Over two thousand people became members of the Panacea Society, in Europe, North America and many parts of the British Empire and Commonwealth.

From its beginning, the Panacea Society expected the end of the world. Society members were convinced that God would soon act to bring about a new age – a period of peace and happiness called ‘the Millennium’.

The Panacea Society was part of a wider religious movement of groups concerned with prophecy. The Panaceans believed that God was speaking to them through Octavia, but her followers did not believe she was the only modern prophet. Rather, they accepted a lineage of seven prophetic voices since the late 1700s – a tradition they called ‘the Visitation’.

🧒 FOR CHILDREN
Children trails, colouring sheets and wooden toys in the activity space in the main museum building 'Castleside'.

☕ FOOD AND DRINK
Tea room serving refreshments, hot & cold snacks with indoor & outdoor seating

🚼 TOILET INFORMATION
Baby changing can be found in a toilet that is big enough to fit a pushchair in

🅿️ PARKING
No parking is available at the Museum, however there is pay and display parking nearby.

♿🅿️ ACCESSIBILITY (Partly accessible)
Accessible info and blue badge holders, click here: https://panaceamuseum.org/visiting/access

CONTACT DETAILS
☎️ Tel: 01234 353178
📧 museum@panaceatrust.org

🎉 The Nags Head in Dunstable Bank Holiday Weekend May 2025!

🤩 Friday 2nd May - 9pm till 3am  -
 Dj Jonny F - Dance & Disco Club Classics

🤩 Saturday 3rd May - 9pm till 3am -
Dj Nicky Edwards - Switch it up Saturday

🤩 Sunday 4th May - 9pm till late
Dj Theresa A - Karaoke disco

🍻 DRINK DEALS
Cocktails, Bottles & shots drink deals available all weekend.

🍹 FRIDAY & SATURDAY: 8pm - 11pm
A choice out of 3 Cocktails - 2 for £7

🇬🇧 𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝘂𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻’𝘀 𝗰𝗿𝗮𝗳𝘁 at Woburn Sands Emporium Garden Centre.

🗓 SATURDAY 4TH MAY - MONDAY 5TH MAY 2025
No need to book, just turn up to our event area Saturday, Sunday and Monday between 11am and 3pm

🤸‍♂️ SOFT PLAY - £2.50
For just £2.50, you can book a 60-minute play session in Woburn Sands Emporium soft play area for ages 1 - 6, plus adults go FREE! You can book a time slot via the event link.
 Let their imagination run wild for one hour from a selected time booked 9am till 3pm!
🌧 Perfect for rainy days!

🎟  FOR SOFT PLAY BOOK HERE:
https://www.wsemporiumevents.co.uk/soft-play-area

🤩 24K BRUNO is a powerful and energetic show that guarantees to have the whole family up out of their seats, dancing and singing the day away!

▪️AGES:
14+ All under 18s must have a legal guardian

🎶 EVENT DETAILS
Featuring worldwide smash hits including Uptown Funk, Treasure, 24 Magic, When I Was Your Man, and Locked out of Heaven, alongside many others, 24K BRUNO is the number one tribute to the incredible multi-platinum selling artist Bruno Mars.

Coming all the way from Aruba to showcase his many talents, frontman Andres Cruz has perfected Bruno’s outstanding vocals, mastered his groove, and maintains Bruno’s legendary stage presence throughout the two-hour show. He also plays piano, guitar and sings 100% live, just like the main man himself.

🎟 TICKETS COST: £11.10pp
You can book tickets on Skiddle via the event link.