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 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 and a wide range of refreshments can be purchased in the cafe. 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 map of the park is available here.
Information about the Park
You can download trails, maps 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. Your comments are welcomed on the materials already produced and on ideas for new materials. Click on Feedback to download a form.
Latest News
Forthcoming Events
The events page was last updated on the 26th January 2012. To see details of the St Valentine's Day 'Message Tree' Walk on 14th February and other events including Health Walks, Conservation Days and Social Events by clicking events .
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.
Car Park Donations
We ask visitors to donate £1 when using the car parks. This money is spent on making improvements to the Park and the services we offer. Recent purchased include, a laptop and projector to enable the Rangers to give illustrated talks; display cabinets for the bird hide; materials to refurbish the bird hide and photographic display materials. Thank you to all those visitors who responded by leaving a donation.
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
Information Sheets
A growing library of information about the Park and its wildlife is available to view online or to download free of charge from this website. It includes Information Sheets, Activity Sheets and much more. Click here to view. A free brochure containing a coloured map of the Park and its features can also be found in the rack in the Discovery Room.
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.
[more] including Rosie, The Dog's Diary.