The following was an email written by a resident of Bedford. I
thought it was well written and so I am posting it for all to read. It gives a
good overview of the area:
Greetings from Bedford.
If you choose to stay on the east end (toward Lynchburg)
Try the Timberlake Motel. 434.525.2160 There is nothing nearby, except a
breakfast and lunch diner "Coffee Cup".The Motel is reasonably priced and
clean.
The "Cup" is a favorite of locals that enjoy Southern Homestyle Cooking (not
particularly healthy but delicious) You will avoid all Lynchburg traffic. 20
minutes to downtown Bedford, and 10 minutes to Lynchburg's Restaurant Row on
Rt. 29 South (Wards Road)
Lynchburg proper has a number of franchises too numerous to mention here.
All (as far as I know) are relatively newly built. The Wingate Inn is
probably
the best trade-off between quality and convenience. It's a 5 minute drive to
the Restaurant Row on Rt 29, Wards Road. and less than a quarter mile from
the
Rt 460 Bypass...just across the bypass is River Ridge Mall... tiny by world
standards but it's the largest in Lynchburg.
Ten minutes from the Wingate is the old town of Lynchburg.
Downtown is the center of an extensive bicycle trail... The Depot Restaurant
is a converted RR Station and nearby is the Amazement Square, a refurbished
old building that is a children's leaning center (good for adults too!). Note
that Downtown Lynchburg renovations are just underway.....
For the Cost conscious persons try 540.586.8182 for a Budget Inn..... I have
never stayed there... it is a motel made of trucked in mobile housing. Nicely
done, on Rt 460. Its' been there for 10 or 15 years and I haven't heard good
or bad about it. Seems to be a favorite of Contractors working in the area
for several days...
In Bedford
Remember it is a town of 6500... a few stop lights, a few public buildings,
and a mixture of old and new structures.... my wife just noticed last week
that 3 stories is the max height.
There is the Super 8... and across the road is another Motel/Hotel whose
name escapes me now.
The Golden Corral recently went out of business and there is no replacement
at that location at this time.
However across the road (in conjunction with the Hotel I can't recall the
name of) is a new Mexican Restaurant.
NOTE THAT THERE ARE NO GENERAL ACCOMODATIONS THAT ARE WITHIN WALKING
DISTANCE OF DOWNTOWN PROPER.
There are several B&B's in town that can probably be found by searching the
Web. I haven't stayed in any of those but I would suggest to you that most
are circa 1900 converted homes.
There are also B&B's in located in the countryside that can be found by
searching the web...
The Dutchess Inn is a nice place for a lunch sandwich and sweets... be aware
that most sandwiches are so large that they can be shared. Located in an
older home in town with just several tables in each room.
The Station is a nice place for dinner (or lunch). A converted RR Station
that is still leased from the Rail Company. The proprietor works there on a
regular basis and spends a lot of his time in the kitchen. Special requests
are
welcome.
The Nation D-Day Memorial is here. Please Visit. If you have a fallen family
member from any war, you will be moved.
TO THE WEST IS
Roanoke. A nicely restored hotel to stay in there is the Hotel Roanoke and
Conference Center 540.985.5900 (search web for Toll Free Number). It is
close
to the Roanoke Transportation Museum, Center in the Square, (and the Winston
Link Museum for the RR buffs). This location is in the center of the old
Roanoke town with too many eateries to list (most are franchises but several
local independents) Note that you can be on Rt 460 within 2 minutes headed to
Bedford after getting into you car from this location.
Ferns Suggestion (hello Fern)
The hotel at Natural Bridge is a very nice place to stay. In addition to the
Bridge itself (which is a short walk away) there is a wax museum, a toy
museum, a recreation of a Monican Indian Village, a cavern that can be toured
and
a re-creation of Stone Henge (sp?) done in Styrofoam... (I assume that
project is still underway)
It is a bit further away than L'burg or Ro'noke but if you like country
scenery it's a good place to stay
