Bedford's
workhouse was established in the area in the 18th century. The west and central parts of De Parys were urbanised by the end of the 19th century. It was during this time that
Bedford School located to the area, and
Bedford Park was established. The Bedford Training College for Teachers (later, Bedford College of Education) was established on Polhill Avenue in 1882. The eastern part of De Parys was developed later, in the 1960s. It was at this time that the old workhouse building became part of
Bedford Hospital. In 1976 Bedford College of Education merged with other colleges to form
Bedford College of Higher Education. This in turn became
De Montfort University in 1994. In 2006 the Bedford arm of De Montfort University and the University of Luton formed the
University of Bedfordshire. The Bedford Campus has seen significant investment since then, including new student accommodation, a new
library and new
theatre. There has now been a college of
Higher Education on Polhill Avenue in the De Parys area for over 125 years. ==Governance==