1. East
  2. Bedfordshire
  3. Bedford

About The Vault

In 2021, Bedford Creative Arts commissioned Julian Beever, a world-renowned illusion artist, to create an illusionary 3D artwork at the site of the Old Bank in Bedford, thus creating The Vault Game. The Vault Game is an interactive, outdoor, augmented reality puzzle that explores key landmarks and invites viewers to learn about Bedford High Street in a fun and interactive way. It is located on the site of the Old Bank in Bedford town centre and is based on the local urban myth that a bank vault is still buried underneath the site. Users scan the QR code on the plaque next to the floor mural and follow prompts to crack codes using elements of the High Street and reveal the treasures which lie beneath!

Learn about Bedford's history by solving clues along the high street

By scanning the pink QR code located on the signpost next to the mural, using any internet-connected device, you can crack the Vault using codes collected by visiting the high street and solving fun challenges. By doing this, the player can uncover what is lying beneath Bedford's Vault. It is historical, educational and encourages families to discover more about the town in a modern, user-friendly way.

A family-friendly augmented reality game, combining art and technology

In 2021, Bedford Creative Arts commissioned Julian Beever, a world-renowned illusion artist, to create an illusionary 3D artwork at the site of the Old Bank in Bedford. The Vault Game is an interactive puzzle that explores key landmarks and invites viewers to learn about the high street in a fun and interactive way. The game is based on a local urban myth that a bank vault is still buried underneath the site of the old bank.

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Facilities

  • Wheelchair Friendly iconWheelchair Friendly
  • Pushchair Friendly iconPushchair Friendly
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Opening Times

Regular Times
  • Monday, Open 24 hours
  • Tuesday, Open 24 hours
  • Wednesday, Open 24 hours
  • Thursday, Open 24 hours
  • Friday, Open 24 hours
  • Saturday, Open 24 hours
  • Sunday, Open 24 hours

As this is an outdoor mural, the attraction can be visited at any time and the game is also playable at any time of day, using the visitors' device.

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Pricing & Tickets

General Admission
  • Adult (0-18+) : Free

This is a free attraction and does not require any downloads or purchases to take part.

Book in advance for cheapest tickets

Find other attractions similar to The Vault by visiting our attraction tickets section.

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Plan Your Visit

Stopwatch IconTypical visit time 1 - 2 hours

Tick IconSuitable for Kids and Adults too

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FAQs

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Parking

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Toilets

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Family Friendly Options

Food & Drink

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Accessibility Information

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Tickets & Bookings

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Private Hire & Birthday Parties

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Contact Details

The Vault
St Paul's Square
Bedford
Bedfordshire
MK40 1SL
England

Based on the south-east corner of St Paul's Square, the floor-based mural is on a flat concreted area opposite Nando's.

Tel: 01234818670

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Verification

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The Vault Reviews

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