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The Knife and Cleaver

3.5 star property
Inn in Bedford with a restaurant and a bar

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Photo gallery for The Knife and Cleaver

Exterior
Exterior
Towels
Restaurant
Room amenity

Reviews

8.6 out of 10
Excellent

Popular amenities

  • Bar
  • Breakfast available
  • Housekeeping
  • Parking included
  • Free WiFi
  • Restaurant

Room options

Available filters for rooms
Showing 5 of 5 rooms

View all photos for Standard Double Room, Ensuite, Courtyard View (Standard King Room )

Standard Double Room, Ensuite, Courtyard View (Standard King Room ) | 1 bedroom, WiFi

Standard Double Room, Ensuite, Courtyard View (Standard King Room )

Highlights

Separate sitting area
Heating
Flat-screen TV
Hypo-allergenic bedding
Heating
Separate bedroom
Premium bedding
Private bathroom
  • 20 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Double Room, Ensuite, Courtyard View (Superior)

Room amenity

Double Room, Ensuite, Courtyard View (Superior)

Highlights

Heating
Flat-screen TV
Premium bedding
Heating
Separate bedroom
Private bathroom
Hair dryer
Shower/tub combination
  • 28 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Standard Double or Twin Room, Ensuite, Courtyard View (TWIN)

Room amenity

Standard Double or Twin Room, Ensuite, Courtyard View (TWIN)

Highlights

Heating
Flat-screen TV
Premium bedding
Separate bedroom
Fan
Private bathroom
Hair dryer
Espresso maker
  • 28 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 2 Double Beds

View all photos for Deluxe Double Room, Ensuite, Courtyard View

Room amenity

Deluxe Double Room, Ensuite, Courtyard View

Highlights

Deck/patio
Separate sitting area
Heating
Flat-screen TV
Premium bedding
Heating
Separate bedroom
Private bathroom
  • 3 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Superior Double Room, Ensuite, Courtyard View

Room amenity

Superior Double Room, Ensuite, Courtyard View

Highlights

Heating
Flat-screen TV
Premium bedding
Heating
Separate bedroom
Private bathroom
Deep soaking bathtub
Shower/tub combination
  • 30 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

Similar properties

Exterior

Holiday Inn Express Bedford by IHG

  • Breakfast included
  • Pet friendly
  • Parking included
  • Free WiFi
8.6 out of 10, Excellent, 811 reviews
Holiday Inn Express Bedford by IHG

About the neighborhood

Map
The Grove, Houghton, Bedford, England, MK45 3LA

What's nearby

  • Wrest Park & Gardens - 10 min drive - 7.3 miles
  • Box End Park - 11 min drive - 7.8 miles
  • Wrest Park - 11 min drive - 7.9 miles
  • Bedford Park - 13 min drive - 7.6 miles
  • Cranfield University - 21 min drive - 14.3 miles

Getting around

  • Stewartby Station - 5 min drive
  • Luton Airport (LTN) - 40 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Cafe Rouge - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪The Cottage Bakery - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Surfin Cafe Ampthill - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Ampthill Park Hub - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Lounge India - ‬9 min drive

About this property

The Knife and Cleaver

Property highlights
You can look forward to a terrace, a bar, and a business center at The Knife and Cleaver. In addition to a restaurant, guests can connect to free WiFi in public areas.
You'll also enjoy the following perks during your stay:
  • Free self parking and extended parking
  • Breakfast (surcharge), express check-out, and express check-in
  • Wedding services, smoke-free premises, and 1 meeting room
  • Guest reviews say great things about the helpful staff
Room features
All guestrooms at The Knife and Cleaver include amenities such as WiFi.

Languages

English

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Free extended parking on site

Food and drink

  • Breakfast available for a fee
  • A bar/lounge
  • A restaurant

Guest services

  • Housekeeping (daily)
  • Wedding services

Business services

  • Business center
  • Conference space
  • Meeting room

Outdoors

  • Terrace

Accessibility

  • No elevator

More

  • Smoke-free property

Room amenities

Bathroom

  • Towels provided

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 2:00 PM; Check-in end time: 11:30 PM
Express check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM
Express check-out available

Special check-in instructions

Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property
Guests planning to arrive outside of normal check-in hours must contact this property in advance to arrange check-in.

Access methods

Staffed front desk

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

Property payment types

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards
This property is professionally cleaned
Please note that cultural norms and guest policies may differ by country and by property; the policies listed are provided by the property

We should mention

This property does not have elevators

Property is also known as

Knife Cleaver Bedford
Knife Cleaver Hotel
Knife Cleaver Hotel Bedford
Knife Cleaver
Knife Cleaver Bedford
Knife Cleaver Hotel Bedford
The Knife & Cleaver Hotel Bedford
The Knife And Cleaver
Knife Cleaver Hotel
Knife Cleaver B&B Bedford
Knife Cleaver B&B
The Knife Cleaver
The Knife Cleaver
The Knife and Cleaver Inn
The Knife and Cleaver Bedford
The Knife and Cleaver Inn Bedford

Frequently asked questions

Is The Knife and Cleaver pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking at The Knife and Cleaver?

Self parking and extended parking are free at this property.

What time is check-in at The Knife and Cleaver?

Check-in start time: 2:00 PM; Check-in end time: 11:30 PM.

What time is check-out at The Knife and Cleaver?

Check-out is at 10:00 AM.

Where is The Knife and Cleaver located?

Situated in Bedford, this inn is 2.6 mi (4.3 km) from Greensand Ridge Walk and 2.7 mi (4.3 km) from Marston Vale Millennium Country Park. Birds of Prey Centre and Flitwick Football Centre are also within 6 mi (10 km).

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The Knife and Cleaver Reviews

Reviews

8.6

Excellent

Rating 10 - Excellent. 105 out of 199 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 57 out of 199 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 19 out of 199 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 14 out of 199 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 4 out of 199 reviews

8.8/10

Cleanliness

9.0/10

Staff & service

8.0/10

Amenities

8.6/10

Property conditions & facilities

8.4/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Ruth

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Great place to stay

A lovely pub, great food, really great staff who couldn’t have been more helpful or friendly - and a good nights sleep in a well equipped room. Lots of quirky decorative touches.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

8/10 Good

Mark

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very pleasant stay.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Alan

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Lovely all round experience especially the food
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kenneth

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities

V Good

It’s a pub and a very good one. Food is very good.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2024

8/10 Good

Rebecca

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Very good- nice staff, comfy room, good restaurant
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2023

8/10 Good

Sandra

Liked: Staff & service, room comfort
Welcome was excellent, room was nice but en suite requires some attention. The cistern ran all night wasting water and disturbing our sleep. Restaurant and food was great. Breakfast was ok. Lovely church across the road chimes on the hour and tinkles every quarter so not great if you're already awake because of the cistern.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Gareth

Disliked: Property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Unfortunately

Food and service excellent, unfortunately the room smelt of damp really badly, the chimes from the church every 30 minutes kept me awake most of the night until I stuffed tissue in my ears, loud noise from cars passing on road, springy bed. Probably the worst nights sleep ever!
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kenneth

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Motel like rooms very pleasant. Staff were really good and friendly.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2023

4/10 Poor

Bruce

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Room comfort

Really disappointing

Room a little tired with a rather uncomfortable bed. Lots of strange knick-knacks eg a ceramic horse’s head, 2 old trunks acting as a table and several bird ornaments. Shower good though. What was more disappointing was the evening meal. Caesar salad and chips(!) off, then hummus off after we ordered it. Cauliflower steak was 2 large pieces of cauliflower raw in the middle served with stone cold fries. Inedible. The mini pudding of cheesecake was tiny. In fairness to the waitress, who was very attentive and a bit embarrassed, we weren’t charged for the cauliflower and given a further discount, but this was definitely NOT the gastropub experience we were expecting. When we left the pub just after 9, there were only 2 customers left. Said it all really.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Graham

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Very nice and clean with easy access to rooms when returning later
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

CM

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

You really must visit this one!!

This is a real find, staff are fabulous food amazing and room private and cosy, with lovely fresh cotton sheets. All for a really fair price
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jo

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Hidden Gem

Hidden gem close to lots of places. The good was fantastic and definitely gastro and reasonably priced. Everything you need and very friendly staff
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

M D

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Highly recommended

A great pub and rooms with a friendly welcome and atmosphere
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Ralph

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Desmo

Breakfast could be full English every day not just weekends Restaurant is very good but expensive
Stayed 2 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

M D

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

The knife and Cleaver

The staff where welcoming and the breakfast was great
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2023

4/10 Poor

Stephen

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Don’t stay there

The pub is nice with lovely food ( a bit overpriced but they have the monopoly). The room was awful. The carpets were wet and the room smelled strongly of damp, which I complained about twice, with no resolution. Shower was broken. Had to hide my clothes in the ottoman and spray with deodorant. My clothes stunk of damp if I didn’t do this. Made me extremely uncomfortable. Wouldn’t go again
Stayed 5 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Rod

So Relaxing

Amazing Comfy accommadation, great fresh food ,a bit on high side price wise ,great freindly manager Will, very informative and knowledgable, Waiting on team great ,Amy was so passionate and sincere you want to eat the whole menu, through her enthusiasm
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2023

8/10 Good

Cat

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Amenities
The room was nice, good layout, and the sofa area in the conservatory and outdoor space was a bonus. And it was quiet too, which I was worried about as it's a pub. The room wasn't super clean, there were dead bugs and stuff. And some of the room felt tired and tatty. But that wouldn't stop me staying again. However, the biggest issue was there is no wifi in the rooms, and the phone signal isn't great. As I was there to work it was a problem.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024

6/10 Okay

Julie

Liked: Staff & service, room comfort
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities

Great food but accommodation let it down

The first room we were given was filthy so moved to another, again this was poorly cleaned, tissues under chair, hairs in the shower, an old razor left in the shower and walls stained. We cancelled a second night there. The bar was nice and food was delicious. The rooms need updating and thorough cleaning. Shame because it could be so much more
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2024

4/10 Poor

Steven

Liked: Room comfort
Disliked: Staff & service

Not bad, not great

The location was ideal and the room was good. Bathroom need an update and maybe a desk in the room. However, no cooked breakfast in the morning. Just 2 bread loaves, ham, cheese and cereal plus some tired looking pastries. This was not mentioned at check-in
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2024

4/10 Poor

Sean

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Great pub, bad management

Great location, good staff who make you feel very welcome. My stay, was tainted by the manager. Never heard anyone talk to their team like he did. Completely shocking and I would be shocked if they dont have a staff retention issue.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2023

6/10 Okay

Ian

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

No WIFI in the rooms

Decent room and food. Terrible WIFI in the room. Connection kept dropping out. For me this is important. So will not be visiting again.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2023

8/10 Good

Rebecca

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Lovely place to stay overnight.

The arrival at The Knife and Cleaver was wonderful. Staff helped me with the luggage and room 9 was both clean and impressive. Nice seperate seating area and outside patio was a bonus in the room. Well equipped and warm. WiFi was not so good but free inside the pub. We ate at the restaurant for the two nights. Food was okay first night. Second night not so good. No atmosphere either and staff consistently just giggling or calling you guys! All in all, the hotel side of the pub was well worth the money. Would definitely stay again. Would have another hit at the restaurant but maybe in the daytime instead.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024

4/10 Poor

Mark

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Staff & service, room comfort

Lack of Customer Service

Check in took 15 minutes due to Manager standing 3 metres away training new waiting staff. Waited for 5 minutes to be seated although both new waiting team were standing 5 metres away and did not even bother to engage with me. I left and went back to my room. The bedroom was very nice until i got into bed, the most uncomfortable mattress i have ever slept in.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2023

6/10 Okay

Roger

Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Staff & service

Disappointing

This is marketed as a 4 star hotel however I was very disappointed. The food was lovely however the service very poor. A brief summary: - not cheap - couldn't check me in due to 'computer problem', needed me to show my email booking receipt - I had pork skewers (lovely) but I had to ask for cutlery. - I had fillet steak (excellent) for dinner but wasn't offered any condiments. The server even left my dirty skewer plate on the table when delivering the steak. I had finished the skewers late afternoon. - The toilets for the bar area were tired, lots of broken tiles and a bit smelly. - Room 3 was nice however very warm, it was difficult to access the heater controls due to a shelf directly above the heater. - Toilet seat was broken. - Couldn't lock the front door from the inside. I wouldn't recommend staying here
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2024