Don't expect I'll be able to afford this con, but in case I can, this is useful for me too:
http://www.bedford.gov.uk/Default.aspx/Web/AirTransport says
Air Transport
Air :
Direct rail link to Luton (30 minutes) and Gatwick (90 minutes). Heathrow, Birmingham and East Midlands International Airports are all within 90 minutes’ driving time. Stansted Airport 60 minutes.
http://www.bedford.gov.uk/Default.aspx/Web/RailTransport
Rail Transport
Rail:
Thameslink service to London King’s Cross (50 minutes). Through services to Gatwick (90 minutes), Brighton (150 minutes). Northbound trains to Leicester, Derby, Nottingham and Sheffield. Services to West Midlands, Lancashire and Scotland via Bletchley (no Sunday service Bedford/Bletchley). National Rail enquiries 0345 484950. To plan your journey by train please click here.
Looking at trains, Ed-Bed by train involves either 2 or 3 changes.