Colworth Science Park

Lab space to rent in Bedford

The future of food and drink

Situated in the centre of the Oxford-Cambridge arc, Colworth Science Park is the place where food, health, nutrition and well-being converge.

The open innovation and collaboration that takes place on site is underpinned by our strong campus culture. Home to Unilever’s global R&D centre, Colworth Science Park is the top location for new and growing food and agri-tech businesses, who will benefit from being in the same community as one of the largest consumer brands in the world.

With close links to Cranfield University and the University of Northampton, plus access to the Midlands Food Alliance, the lab space to rent here is ideal for businesses looking to grow, test new food items, and develop local supply chains.

incubator food agritech startups
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Amenities
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Services

For the pioneers of food and agri-tech

Take on our lab space to rent in Bedford with just one month’s notice, with the option to scale back with only three months’ notice.

New concept space provides a dedicated space for F&D scientists, entrepreneurs, start-ups and SMEs in the food industry. Complete with tasting lab, demo kitchen and events space, it is at the heart of our food and drink ecosystem. Opening January 2025.

See more about Gastronomica

Landmark building will focus on food and drink R&D, attracting companies in fields such as alternative proteins and fermentation. It will advance sustainable agri-tech, support low-carbon supply chains and promote innovations in nutrition and alternative proteins.

Colworth Science Park sits at the forefront of Food and Drink development with global leaders such as Unilever, Firmenich, Symrise and Kerry Ingredients renting offices and labs on site. As the dedicated space for food and agritech start-ups, the site allowing even the smallest of ventures to be part of something big.

No contracts, no lengthy agreements, simply choose what works best for you.

Offering a varied menu of light snacks, hot and cold breakfast and lunch, as well as a choice of freshly brewed hot beverages and pastries. The friendly atmosphere in the restaurant is perfect for casual business meetings.

Invitation-only pitching competitions, investment opportunity roundups, unique collaborations and trade visits are regular features for Pioneer Group based start-ups. It’s what being a part of our business community is all about.

Layout not quite working? Pioneer Group can help customise the space to suit you, your team, and the way you work. In addition, all buildings and offices have an electronic security system and 24-hour security.

Where food and agritech leaders share their thoughts, experiences and lessons learnt over a beer (or three!) with the business community.

Our dedicated onsite Bedford team has vast experience in providing everything needed to run your IT, leaving you free to get on with growing your business.

This Ofsted Outstanding nursery is situated onsite. The dedicated team at Acorn Day Nursery in Bedford provide exceptional care and education for children aged 4 months to 4 years.

Our dedicated conferencing and meeting rooms can accommodate 2-250 delegates and, together with flexible syndicate space, are perfect for hosting events. All rooms are air-conditioned and have the latest audiovisual technology. With bespoke solutions available for up to 250 delegates, breakout areas and complimentary WiFi included.

Conference and meeting rooms at Colworth Science Park are available for hire by the hour, half-day or full day. Fully inclusive hospitality and day delegate packages are available for meetings of 20 delegates or more, accessible to all occupiers who rent office space in our Bedford location.

Fully-fitted with a complete range of exercise equipment, membership at the Vitality Centre is just £15 per month. If you rent office space, you will also have access to the Vitality Suite studio, with regular classes included as part of your membership.

Colworth Science Park boasts a croquet lawn, football pitch, rugby pitch, tennis courts and one of Bedford’s most challenging 9-hole golf courses. From angling to archaeology, we have a diverse range of clubs hosted on-site and open to all.

Amenities

Because there’s more to life (sciences) than labs

  • Restaurant

  • Bike storage

  • Gym

  • On-site parking

  • High speed internet

  • Unique common areas

  • Exhibition space

  • Shared outdoor spaces

  • Good transport links

  • Cleaning services

  • Nursery

  • Meeting rooms

  • Showers & hair dryers

  • Fully accessible

  • Sport groups & Activities

  • Reprographics

Lab & office space
for rent

Office and lab space for rent goes quickly,
this could be your chance to join us.

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ALL AVAILABLE SPACE

Discover Gastronomica

Grounded in Nature, Rooted in the Future

Gastronomica is a cutting-edge hub revolutionising the food-tech industry, set within the inspiring environment of Colworth Science Park alongside the Unilever Colworth R&D Hub. Offering dynamic, cost-efficient spaces equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, Gastronomica empowers innovators, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders to tackle global food challenges, scale ideas, and drive sustainable solutions.

Where culinary creativity meets technological advancement, Gastronomica is the launchpad for shaping the future of food. Grounded in nature and rooted in the future, it’s a space where ideas flourish, connections thrive, and innovation knows no bounds.

Developments For Pre-Lease Opportunities

Build To Suite Science Facilities

These developments at Colworth Science Park will offer leasing opportunities for 3 new developments for labs, office spaces, R&D kitchens and pilot plants.

Culinarium Building: 60,000 sqft, completion early 2028

The Vertical Farm: 90,000 sqft, completion in 2.5 years – available for pre-lease

Laboratories: 29,996 sqft, completion early 2028

Cardiff Edge New Development
Team

Introducing our experts

Keith Purdie

Commercial Director

Nicky Purser

Tenant Relations Manager

Mel Braun-Cook

Main House Receptionist

Pauline Jones

Head Receptionist
Testimonial

“Our journey within Colworth Science Park has been a pleasure. As a life sciences startup, we’ve grown significantly over the past 6 years. Our office and lab spaces have expanded, and our team grew from under 10 to 30 members. The support from the Colworth team has been invaluable, especially when we urgently needed a laboratory to accommodate a significant grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation. The picturesque surroundings, networking opportunities, friendly staff, and amenities such as the gym and coffee shop make this a great place to work.”

Jesse Shearin
C.O.O, Tozaro Ltd

Contact

Say Hello!

STREET VIEW

Location

Neighbourhood

Colworth Park – Pioneer Group
Sharnbrook
Bedford
MK44 1LQ
England

The 91-acre Parkland campus is just a few minutes from the A6, north of Bedford, on the outskirts of the village of Sharnbrook.

By Car
9 miles from Bedford
14 miles from A14
18 miles from M1
34 miles from Cambridge

By Train
Bedford to London St Pancras International – 37 minutes
Bedford to London Luton airport – 15 minutes

By Plane
30 miles from London Luton airport
60 miles from London Stansted Airport
65 miles from Birmingham airport

We can recommend local hotels with preferential rates available to BioCity based companies and Conference and Events customers. Contact us to discuss.

The Sharnbrook Hotel (1.9 Miles)

The Sharnbrook Hotel & VesuviO Restaurant & Bar is an independent, family-run hotel. It’s within a 4.5-acre plot located in the heart of the North Bedfordshire countryside, near the M1 motorway and near local amenities and the towns of Bedford, Kettering and Milton Keynes. A double starts from £90 per night with breakfast and wifi. Book here.

Woodland Manor Hotel & Restaurant (7.8 Miles)

Situated in secluded gardens in the heart of Bedfordshire, Woodland Manor Hotel & Restaurant is a picturesque venue that offers a traditional country house getaway with quick access to the A1, M1 and two miles from Bedford city centre.

The hotel has events, afternoon tea and venue hire for away days. There are 34 country house hotel rooms and suites that are individually furnished and include all the amenities you need to enjoy a restful night’s sleep. A double room starts from £81 (breakfast £19)  Take a look.

Bedford Swan Hotel (10 miles)

Set on the embankment of the Great River Ouse in Bedford, Bedfordshire, The Bedford Swan Hotel offers rooms with free Wi-fi, air conditioning and comfy bed linen. The hotel is full of character, mixing contemporary fabrics and design with the original 18th Century features. The hotel has two eateries, the British Brassiere Pen & Cob and Anna’s Tearoom.

The full English breakfast has all locally sourced produce but if you fancy something a little lighter they have granola, spiced French Toast, or Eggs Royale. Click to book.

Colworth Park is located just outside of the village Sharnbrook.

Sharnbrook is a North Bedfordshire village located 9 miles north of Bedford, just off the A6 and to the north of the River Great Ouse where it meets the brook that gives the village its name.

The village is home to a Primary school and Sharnbrook Academy, a highly rated secondary school.

Sharnbrook Primary – Read more

“We provide each child with the opportunity for growth – personal, emotional and intellectual. We aim to ensure that every child fulfils their potential and has the opportunity to excel. At Sharnbrook Primary we all work together to create an exciting and stimulating learning adventure for everyone.”

All pupils are involved in individualised learning and individual targets. Pupils who have special needs have Individual Education Plans and their own special targets to work towards; class teachers and the SENCO are involved in devising learning programmes for these pupils.

Sharnbrook Academy – Read more

“We believe that all students can achieve and we encourage them to become lifelong learners, challenging and supporting them to realise their potential. Our students regularly achieve some of the best exam results in the county and have been nationally recognised over the past five years by SSAT as achieving some of the best results in the country.

At Sharnbrook, we appreciate that there is more to school life than examination grades. Being a large school, we are privileged to have excellent facilities, a wide curriculum and extensive extracurricular opportunities for students. Sharnbrook is a school where effort, hard work and success is expected, encouraged and celebrated, and creativity is nurtured.”

The population of Sharnbrook is around 2300 people and is a desirable place to live. The village has good connections by road to the nearby towns of Bedford, Northampton and Milton Keynes. A regular commuter train service into London Kings Cross (36 mins).

Sharnbrook is well catered for shops which include a baker, Co-op supermarket, newsagent and grocer.

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