The Bedford Welcome Center
The Bedford Welcome Center is located at 816 Burks Hill Road, Bedford, VA 24523, at the intersection of Route 460 and Route 122.
Our hours of operation are November thru May 9:00am to 5:00pm. seven days a week. From June 1st until October 31st we are open from 9:00am until 6:30pm seven days a week. The Center is closed on Thanksgiving, Christimas and New Year's Day. Our telephone number if 540-587-5681 or toll free 1-877-447-3257.
The facility is comprised of 10,700 square feet of exhibit, display, meeting, reception, and community space in addition to the administrative offices of the City and County’s joint Tourism Department.
The building, with large expanses of glass orientated to absorb views of the Peaks of Otter and the National D-Day Memorial were paramount issues in the design process. Exhibits within the Welcome Center showcase the area’s many attractions and amenities as well its commerce and vision for the future. Exterior features that make up the rustic flavor of the Center include covered porches, clapboard siding, shadow casting shingles, a decorative cupola, picnic area and terraces. The building is fully accessible and parking provides spaces for the disabled as well as motor coaches and campers.
The project is a joint effort of Bedford City and County to provide a place for visitors and citizens alike to learn about the many points of interest and benefits offered in and around Bedford as well as a facility for use by community groups and businesses. Tourism dollars helps both the City and County keep taxes low and the Center will assist in increasing the impact tourism has on the local economy.
RV Parking At The Welcome Center
The Welcome Center currently has three RV hookup sites for one night only, except during certain special events or with special permission. The sites have water, electricity, sewer and WI-FI. The cost for full hook-up is $25.00 per night. Use of the convenience stations for RV Campers is $5.00 and commercial buses is $15.00. All buses and campers must have a hose for the convenience stations. Parking only - no hookups is $10.00 per night. We do not take reservations. The sites are open year round except for Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Picnic tables are available on the North side of the center. For more information on the RV Hook-up sites call 540-587-5681 or 1-877 HI PEAKS.
Facility Use Policy
Open a reservation request form for printing.
The Bedford Area Welcome Center offers a meeting room, main gallery and terrace area that is available on an equitable basis to groups, individuals, organizations and businesses engaged in legal activities.
The following policies and guidelines shall govern the use of the facilities:
Availability:
Facilities may be available on an equitable basis to groups, organizations, individuals and businesses, regardless of the beliefs and affiliations of their members. An authorized representative must be at least 18 years of age or older.
Permission to use Welcome Center facilities does not constitute endorsement of the beliefs of the user and publicity for an event should not imply Welcome Center sponsorship or affiliation. Names and addresses of Welcome Center, Bedford City or Bedford County staff many not be used for announcing a meeting or promoting an event.
Applications for Use:
Reservations to use Welcome Center facilities are tentative until an application has been completed and approved by the Welcome Center. City and County agencies and departments will be given priority and could possibly necessitate the rescheduling of existing reservations by non-City and non-County users. A group, organization or business may have more than one reservation at a time.
Facility Use:
Groups that may be selling merchandise or tickets are responsible for having all required licenses and for payment of any amusement or other taxes due. Welcome Center staff will not be responsible for taking registration fees, selling tickets, providing information or answering questions about such events.
Users will reimburse the Welcome Center for any costs associated with loss or damage to property as well as any additional cleaning or late return fees. However, users are eligible to receive refunds of the Security Deposit upon Welcome Center approval if the facility is in identical condition as before the reservation.
Arrangements for catering can be arranged through the Welcome Center or outside caterers or restaurants. Decorating is the responsibility of the sponsoring group. Users are prohibited from taping, nailing or tacking anything on or to the walls. Check with Welcome Center staff for the availability of or information for alternate methods of fastening items to walls.
Appropriate banquet licenses must be obtained from the Alcoholic Beverage Commission for events where adult beverages will be served. No events with alcohol will be scheduled during the regular operating hours of the Center.
A number of tables, chairs and equipment are available for facility users. It is the responsibility of the user to arrange for additional needs. Additional needs must be approved by the Welcome Center in advance of their delivery and removal of these items must be made following the event. The Welcome Center is not responsible for loss or theft of personal property brought onto the grounds or into the facility.
Users of the facility must take provisions to guard against public disturbances or unsafe practices and are fully responsible for all persons admitted to their activities. The Center is not responsible for injuries during use of the facility or grounds. No animals are allowed except as necessary to provide assistance to the visually or hearing impaired or animals used by law enforcement agencies.
Fee Schedules:
| User Classification | Main Gallery, Meeting Room & Terrace |
| City/County Governmental Agencies & Departments | Regular Hours (9 am - 5pm) - No Charge Non-Business, Weekend or Holiday Hours: $25 per hour including set-up, take-down & cleaning. Minimum 2 hours. |
| Non-Profit Organizations, Approved Charities/Purposes, State Federal or other Local Government | Regular Hours - $25 per hour. User performs set-up - take down, cleaning. $50 security deposit required. Non-Business Hours, Weekend or Holiday Hours: $50 per hour including set-up, take-down & cleaning. Minimum 2 hours. $70 Security Deposit required. |
| Individuals (private) & For-Profit Organizations | Regular Hours: $50/hour for each room including set-up, take-down & cleaning. 2 hours minimum. Security deposit required upon reservation. Non-Business Hours, Weekend or Holiday Hours: $100 per hour including set-up, take-down & cleaning. Minimum 2 hours. $100 Security Deposit required. |
Rates are Subject to Change - Regular Hours are 9 am - 5 pm Monday-Friday
Standards of Conduct:
The Bedford Area Welcome Center is a community resource that supports cultural, educational, informational and recreational activities. In order to provide an atmosphere conducive to the appropriate use of the facility and to preserve the safety, peaceful enjoyment and rights of others, users of the Center are required to abide by appropriate standards of conduct. The following will not be tolerated:
- Bringing or carrying a dangerous weapon
- Using abusive, obscene or profane language or acts
- Engaging in illegal, disruptive, disorderly or unruly conduct or behavior
- Causing excessive noise or engaging in loud or disruptive conversations
- Smoking or chewing tobacco, or spitting
- Consuming food or drink on the premises except in authorized areas
- Conducting surveys or investigations or distributing printed materials not approved by the Welcome Center.
- Soliciting or unnecessarily disturbing any person.
The Welcome Center reserves the right to deny usage to any potential user. Users and their guests may be requested to provide proper identification and to leave the facility for any breach of these Standards of Conduct.
Available Equipment:
80 Chairs
22 Training Tables
10 Rectangular Tables
8 Round Tables
TV & Stand
VCR
DVD
Cisco Polycom Conference Phone
Overhead projector
Pull down screen
Podium with sound system
Catering kitchen with microwave & refrigerator
Linens (cleaning charge applies)
Water Pitchers*
Coffee maker & servers, coffee, sweeteners & creamers*
Ice*
10 x 10 Pop Up Tent*
*Restocking/cleaning/use charges may apply
Open a reservation request form for printing.
© 2007 Bedford Tourism and Welcome Center
816 Burks Hill Road | Bedford, VA 24523
Phone: 540-587-5681 | 1-877-447-3257 | Fax: 540-587-5983
Photos used on the website are courtesy of Lynn Kirby, AxisCreativeNet,
Don Hall Photography, and Gar Brandt Photography. All Rights Reserved.
