Welcome to Harrold Odell Country Park
Harrold Odell Country Park, located in Bedfordshire, England, is a serene destination for nature lovers. With free parking and accessible facilities, it's perfect for families and those with mobility needs. Visitors enjoy beautifully maintained lakeside and woodland walks, complete with benches for relaxing. The park features an outdoor gym, children's adventure playgrounds, and a delightful dog-friendly café serving a variety of meals. Wildlife enthusiasts will appreciate informative signage and birdwatching spots. The peaceful atmosphere and scenic views make it an ideal place for a day out, whether you're strolling, exercising, or simply soaking in the surroundings.
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Carlton Rd, Harrold, Bedford MK43 7DS, United KingdomCarlton Rd, Harrold, Bedford MK43 7DS, United Kingdom Hotline: +44 1234 720016
Welcome to Harrold Odell Country Park, a serene slice of nature nestled in the heart of Bedfordshire, UK. Located at Carlton Rd, Harrold, Bedford MK43 7DS, this stunning park is more than just a visual treat—it's a haven for families, outdoor enthusiasts, and anyone looking to enjoy a respite from the everyday hustle and bustle.
Accessibility is one of this park's greatest strengths. With ample free parking, including designated spaces for those with disabilities, it welcomes visitors of all backgrounds. Once you step into this natural paradise, you'll find yourself surrounded by beautiful lakeside walks, scenic river paths, and enchanting woodland trails—all excellently marked and easy to navigate.
One of the park's highlights is the dog-friendly cafe, serving a delightful selection of food and beverages. Whether you're in the mood for a refreshing drink or a wholesome meal after a good walk, the cafe is a perfect pit stop. Plus, its ample seating ensures you can relax while enjoying the views. As multiple reviews have noted, the staff are not just pleasant but genuinely enhance the experience.
The park is a family-friendly haven, equipped with an enclosed children's adventure playground, making it an ideal outing for parents. For kids and adults alike, there’s also an outdoor gym and a bike course, ensuring ample opportunities for fun and exercise. However, be cautious when wandering near the nature reserves—a lovely area protected for wildlife—where dogs are kindly asked to stay out.
The hiking trails offer a diverse experience, from leisurely strolls around the two lakes, which can take about 45 minutes at a steady pace, to invigorating treks through natural landscapes. Each path is adorned with benches, perfect for resting while you appreciate the local wildlife or the stunning, well-maintained surroundings. Look out for charming wooden sculptures and unique carvings that add a touch of artistry throughout the park.
In summary, Harrold Odell Country Park is a meticulously kept gem offering varied experiences for all ages. Its blend of outdoor activities, tranquility, and stunning scenery provides the perfect setting for a memorable day out. I left feeling rejuvenated and eager to return, excited for a picnic amidst the natural beauty and vibrant wildlife. It truly is a seamless blend of nature and community—a destination worth visiting!
The country park is easy to access with plenty of car parking spaces. There are a few disabled spaces on the left as you enter. Facilities include a dog friendly cafe, enclosed children's adventure playground, an outdoor gym and a bike course. There are also public loos. There are lovely lakeside walks, river walks and woodland walks with bench seats along the way. The paths are all gravel or grass but are mostly flat, however a wheelchair might be difficult to manoeuvre in some places.
This is one of the nicest country parks I know in the area and provides a lovely day out. There’s free car parking for starters and a large and decent cafe at the entrance, which has loads of seating and is open daily. The whole site is well kept and while walking round the lake there’s loads of benches to sit and admire the view. For those with a particular interest in wildlife there’s plenty of signage explaining what you’re able to spot, and a number of covered shelters for proper bird watching. Each of the viewing spots has sweet wooden carved names and there’s a few sculptures along the way to admire too. There’s a couple of walking routes you can take, as well as a nature reserve in the centre, although they request dogs are kept out of there. Once you’re finished with the park there’s the village next door, plus a handful of different pubs easily accessible and pointed out on the maps. A great place and I’ll certainly be returning for a summers day out.
Lovely walk around the lake with different paths to follow. Parking is free with an overflow car park. Cafe serves a good selection of food and drinks at a reasonable charge. Couple of playgrounds at either end (one near the cafe, the other near the gate exiting the park. Riverside Meadows does have cows who don't like people and/or dogs.
This is a perfect country park. You've got plenty of paths, nice lakeside views, a decent cafe and plenty of parking. If you enjoy fresh air, with or without your dog, then Harrold Odell Country Park should hit the spot. There's plenty of variety and even some nice touches such as animal carvings to spot and decipher.
Another fabulous country park to go for a walk around. There are 2 lakes that combine for a nice hour or so walk, depending how strenuous you want it to be. Grebe Lake takes around 45 minutes at a steady pace. Plenty of paths off into the nature reserve and a walk along the Ouse. Great for all exercise and dog walks. Very well kept and clean, although a few bins would be useful if you stop for a picnic etc. Kids play areas and outside gym too so caters for all. Cafe doing various tea and coffee along with food, staff very pleasant. Toilets very clean too, another plus point. Small honesty box for car park, suggest donation of 1, can't beat that.
I just love it here. I love that the walk around is less than an hour (excluding breaks), with plenty of benches and beautiful views. The dragon flies here are HUGE. Free parking, though donations are suggested, and a cafe with toilets on site. Free play area for children and workout zone. It's just a shame there isn't a shuttle bus to places like this, as you have to have access to a car to come here if you're not local. It's so wonderful that more people should be able to get to it.
Love this place, so nice to have a place to wander, this tine we used the cafe, coffees were nice but felt as if we were in the way while they tried to clean, and as it was still an hour until closing it gave the impression we shouldn't hang about. But will will be walking round the park alot more now the weather is better.
Lovely circular walk which takes around 45 minutes, with a play park, skate park, and exercise park. Benches dotted around. We didn't eat or drink from the cafe but this is wheelchair accessible. A lovely place to take a walk around the lake. Harrold village is also a lovely place to go for a walk. It's a riverside village, you will find a chip shop, Indian and a coop in the. A old lock up still stands in the village.