Town guide · East of England

Lindy Hop in Bedford

1 school teach Lindy Hop and swing in Bedford, with weekly nights on Wednesdays and Thursdays and 15 dated events coming up.

Schools: Swingsters
Weekly nights: Wednesday, Thursday
Venues: Swing Den Bedford (Great Denham Community Hall); Planet Swing, Dance Hall, Wixams Retirement Village; Great Barford Village Hall; Cotton Club Bedford (venue not stated on the page read); Planet Swing Wixams; Cotton End Village Hall
Best for beginners: Planet Swing Balboa class (Smooth L.A. style)

Lindy Hop and swing in Bedford

In Bedford, Swingsters run 4 regular weekly sessions on Wednesdays and Thursdays, with 15 dated events in the diary. Styles on offer: Lindy Hop, Balboa and Swing Jive.

Wednesdays: Swing Den Bedford Improvers (Lindy Hop) at 20:15–21:00 (Swing Den Bedford (Great Denham Community Hall)) and Swing Den Bedford Improvers+ at 21:00–21:45 (Swing Den Bedford (Great Denham Community Hall)). Thursdays: Planet Swing Balboa class (Smooth L.A. style) at 19:15–20:00 (Planet Swing, Dance Hall, Wixams Retirement Village, Wixams) and Planet Swing live-band swing social at 20:00–22:30 (Planet Swing, Dance Hall, Wixams Retirement Village, Wixams).

Starting out? Swing Den Bedford Improvers (Lindy Hop) on Wednesdays at 20:15–21:00, Swing Den Bedford Improvers+ on Wednesdays at 21:00–21:45, Planet Swing Balboa class (Smooth L.A. style) on Thursdays at 19:15–20:00 and Ready, Set, Swing! 8-week beginners course (remaining weeks) on 4 Nov 2026 are described by the organiser as suitable for newcomers. Most classes rotate partners, so you can come on your own – see your first class.

Prices listed by organisers here run from £10 to £80 – a drop-in class or social is usually at the lower end; courses, workshops and weekenders cost more.

Where: Swing Den Bedford (Great Denham Community Hall) (MK40 4GP), Planet Swing, Dance Hall, Wixams Retirement Village (MK42 6EA), Great Barford Village Hall (MK44 3JL), Cotton Club Bedford (venue not stated on the page read), Planet Swing Wixams (MK42 6EA) and Cotton End Village Hall (MK45 3AN). Each listing has Google and Apple Maps links.

Next up: Halloween Hop with Cody Lee & His Rhythm Keys on Saturday 31 October 2026, Black Cat Friday / Saturday Freestyles 2026 on Saturday 31 October 2026 and Ready, Set, Swing! 8-week beginners course (remaining weeks) on Wednesday 4 November 2026.

Frequently asked questions

Where can I learn Lindy Hop or swing dance in Bedford?

Swing Den Bedford Improvers (Lindy Hop) at Swing Den Bedford (Great Denham Community Hall), Swing Den Bedford Improvers+ at Swing Den Bedford (Great Denham Community Hall), Planet Swing Balboa class (Smooth L.A. style) at Planet Swing, Dance Hall, Wixams Retirement Village and Planet Swing live-band swing social at Planet Swing, Dance Hall, Wixams Retirement Village. Full times and venues are listed on this page.

What nights are the classes and socials?

Wednesdays and Thursdays. Times are as listed by each organiser; anything marked "check first" should be confirmed before you travel.

How much does it cost?

Listed prices run from £10 to £80. Drop-in classes and socials are cheapest; courses and weekend workshops cost more.

Do I need a partner or any experience?

No. 4 sessions are marked as suitable for beginners, and most classes rotate partners so you can come alone.

Where can I go social dancing?

Planet Swing live-band swing social, Halloween Hop with Cody Lee & His Rhythm Keys, Cotton Club Bedford: Blue Hawks with Eddie Mac and Black Cat Friday Freestyle (20th year Christmas party). Socials often start with a short taster class.

What should I wear?

Comfortable clothes and shoes that turn on a wooden floor – suede or leather soles are ideal, trainers with smooth soles are fine. See our guide to what to wear.