Welcome to Harrold-Odell Country Park website
run by the Friends of Harrold-Odell Country Park.
The Park is owned and managed by Bedford Borough Council.
The Friends of Harrold-Odell Country Park work in partnership with Council staff.
About Harrold-Odell Country Park
Harrold-Odell Country Park is an area of North Bedfordshire's beautiful countryside waiting for you to explore. Set in 144 acres, the Park's main features are two picturesque lakes. These along with river meadows, woodland, a Nature Reserve and the tranquil banks of the Great Ouse river, provide a variety of habitats and make for a great day out. [more information..]
Free parking is available but visitors are asked to make a voluntary donation when using the car park. The money collected is all used to help improve the Park for visitors and wildlife.
A wide range of refreshments can be purchased in the Tea-zels Cafe and an ice cream van visits the main Car Park on a regular basis.
A map of the park can be downloaded and printed from here.
Park Management
The Country Park is owned and managed by Bedford Borough Council.
It is managed on a day-to-day basis by Park Rangers, who are available to provide assistance and information to visitors. They are also responsible for implementing a management strategy that aims to balance recreational use of the Park with the needs of wildlife. In this work, they are assisted by the Friends of Harold Odell Country Park who volunteer for a wide range of practical and other tasks.
Fishing in the lakes and along the river banks is supervised by the Water Bailiff who is based at the Visitor's Centre.
Want to find out more about the Park and its wildlife?
You can download trails, maps, activities and wildlife recognition materials free of charge from this website. Just click on 'Information Sheets' on the side menu to obtain a list of what is currently available. Click on the appropriate link to download the materials you require. We aim to build this collection of information to cover all aspects of the Park. New material will be added towards the end of April, watch this space.
A free brochure containing a coloured map of the Park and its features can also be found in the rack in the Discovery Room.
Donations
If you would like to make a donation, no matter how small, it would be greatly appreciated. Cheques should be made payable to ‘The Friends of Harrold-Odell Country Park’ and posted to the Treasurer, The Friends of HOCP, c/o The Park Office, Harrold-Odell Country Park, Carlton Road, Harrold, MK43 7DS. Alternatively, cash can be left with the Rangers at the Park Office in the Visitors Centre, preferably with a covering note so that donations can be acknowledged.
Latest News
Forthcoming Events
New Summer events list loaded on 29th April. To see details just click on events .
Opening times for Tea-Zels Cafe
These have been revised to reflect British Summer Time and are as follows:
Mon - Fri 9am to 4pm; Sat & Sun 9am to 5pm (Tel. No. 01234 7215250)
Fishing
Please note that Vauxhall Angling Club has not renewed its licence for the fishing rights and therefore the previous arrangement with them is suspended. Arrangements for the next fishing season will be announced once the situation has been clarified.
Green Flag Award
The Park has been successful in achieving the Green Flag Award for the fourth year running. In order to achieve the award and to be recognised as one of the outstanding green spaces in the country, the Park has to undergo a rigorous inspection. The judges looked at
1. The Welcome afforded to visitors; 2. Health & Safety; 3. Cleanliness & maintenance; 4. Sustainability; 5. Conservation & Heritage; 6. Community involment; 7. Marketing and 8. Management. The Park achieves its current high standards through the effort of its Rangers and the band of Conservation Volunteers who give their time freely to improve the Park for both wildlife and visitors.
Newsletter
Copies of the latest Newsletter can be found in the leaflet rack in the Discovery Room at the Visitor Centre. To subscribe, join the Friends of HOCP, it's FREE! Application Forms may be obtained from the Office or by emailing secretary@hocp.co.uk
Your comments are important to us
If you wish to comment on any of the downloadable materials or any other aspect of the Park, please click on Feedback to download a form.
Information for Dog Owners
Harrold-Odell Country Park is an ideal place to visit with our canine companions but please read the following important information and the latest update on Rosie the Dog's diary. Dog walkers are asked to keep an eye open for anything irregular or out of place in the Park. In the event, please report your observations to a Ranger. Click here for [more] including Rosie,The Dog's Diary.
Updated 15th May 2012 (DT)