| Bedford | |
| Other Name: | Nyarha |
| Pushpin Map: | South Africa Eastern Cape#South Africa |
| Coordinates: | -32.6833°N 31°W |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: | South Africa |
| Subdivision Type1: | Province |
| Subdivision Name1: | Eastern Cape |
| Subdivision Type2: | District |
| Subdivision Name2: | Amathole |
| Subdivision Type3: | Municipality |
| Subdivision Name3: | Raymond Mhlaba |
| Subdivision Type4: | Main Place |
| Established Title: | Established |
| Established Date: | 1854[1] |
| Leader Title: | Councillor |
| Area Footnotes: | [2] |
| Area Total Km2: | 14.6 |
| Elevation M: | 740 |
| Population Total: | 8770 |
| Population As Of: | 2011 |
| Population Density Km2: | auto |
| Demographics Type1: | Racial makeup (2011) |
| Demographics1 Title1: | Black African |
| Demographics1 Info1: | 68.9% |
| Demographics1 Title2: | Coloured |
| Demographics1 Info2: | 27.1% |
| Demographics1 Title3: | Indian/Asian |
| Demographics1 Info3: | 0.1% |
| Demographics1 Title4: | White |
| Demographics1 Info4: | 3.2% |
| Demographics1 Title5: | Other |
| Demographics1 Info5: | 0.7% |
| Demographics Type2: | First languages (2011) |
| Demographics2 Title1: | Xhosa |
| Demographics2 Info1: | 63.5% |
| Demographics2 Title2: | Afrikaans |
| Demographics2 Info2: | 29.7% |
| Demographics2 Title3: | English |
| Demographics2 Info3: | 4.5% |
| Demographics2 Title5: | Other |
| Demographics2 Info5: | 2.2% |
| Timezone1: | SAST |
| Utc Offset1: | +2 |
| Postal Code Type: | Postal code (street) |
| Postal Code: | 5780 |
| Postal2 Code Type: | PO box |
| Postal2 Code: | 5780 |
| Area Code Type: | Area code |
| Area Code: | 046 |
Bedford or Nyarha is a town in the centre of the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. It was established in the mid-19th century when Sir Andries Stockenstroom sold portions of land from his farm Maastroom to raise funds for the restoration of his library, which had been burnt by British soldiers mistrustful of his attempts to broker peace in one of the Cape Frontier Wars. The farm is still there and open for visitors.
It is located on the southern edge of the Winterberg mountain range, in the Smaldeel (a narrow strip of grassland running laterally from Fort Beaufort to Somerset East, renowned for its sweet grass). The town suffered a major decline in fortunes in the latter half of the 20th century before reviving itself around the turn of the millennium. It is regarded today as an artist's haven and retirement village.
The lack of industry in the town, while a boon to those hoping to escape the rat race, means that the town has a large unemployment rate. The woes of the poor are exacerbated by a high HIV-AIDS infection rate.
The Bedford Provincial Hospital is situated in Maitland Street, three blocks northwest of the town's centre.
Most tourists visit Bedford to experience true South African farm living. It is also known for the garden festival where people who live in the town and surrounding farms get to show case their gardens and other creative art work.