Bedford is a former town and now a district of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. It is situated on the north west shore of the Bedford Basin, in the central area of the municipality. Bedford borders the neighbouring communities of Hammonds Plains to the west, Sackville to the north, Dartmouth to the east, and mainland Halifax to the south.
A Name Rooted in Colonial History
Bedford was named in honour of John Russell, the 4th Duke of Bedford, who served as Secretary of State for the colonies in 1749. The naming reflects the district’s deep ties to the early period of British colonial settlement in Nova Scotia, a history shared by many communities across the Halifax Regional Municipality.
Location and Neighbouring Communities
Positioned on the north west shore of the Bedford Basin, Bedford occupies a central location within the municipality. Its neighbours include Hammonds Plains to the west, Sackville to the north, Dartmouth to the east, and the mainland portion of Halifax to the south. This central placement connects Bedford to several of the region’s key communities.
From Town to District
Bedford was formerly incorporated as a town before becoming a district within the broader municipality of Halifax, Nova Scotia. This transition reflects the ongoing growth and consolidation of communities across the Halifax Regional Municipality, of which Bedford is now an established part.