Short Walks in Bedfordshire

Descriptions - Videos - Proper parking instructions

Harrold-Odell Country Park

Description and Walk

The park extends to around 144 acres and includes river meadows by the River Great Ouse, lakes, and woodland. The area covered by the park has formerly been a quarry, a farm, an Iron Age farm, and a Roman settlement - not necessarily all at the same time. The park is currently owned and managed by Bedford Borough Council.

The walk around the main lake, Grebe Lake, is around 1.6 miles. To walk the entire perimeter of the park would probably be closer to around 2.2 miles (guessing). There are maps on display to assist you with your choice of route.

There is a cafe in the park, as well as exercise machines and a small skatepark - so remember to take your skateboard with you.

The park is well tended, and has a ‘friends of’ volunteer force which helps to keep the place looking good, as well as maintaining an informative website, for which we have supplied a link at the bottom-left of this page.

We were especially impressed by the number of seats and benches that abound along the park’s pathways. You won’t go short of somewhere to sit on your travels around the lakes.

Short Video of Harrold-Odell Country Park

Note: The video is best viewed by clicking on the 'full screen' symbol that appears at the bottom-right of the video box once the video is playing. To exit full-screen hit your escape key or click on the symbol at the bottom-right again.

Parking

Parking is Free.

Parking address: Harrold-Odell Country Park, Carlton Road, Harrold, MK43 7DS.

There is a good amount of free parking at Harrold-Odell Country park. There is a car park as soon as you enter the park, and an overspill parking area at the end of a long, sandy service road, which you may also park alongside. If all else fails on a very busy day you can park on Carlton Road immediately outside of the park.

Google Map (opens in a new tab)