Harrold Odell Country Park Park in Bedford, Harrold

Reviews

1. N Aa ★★★★☆

   Decent car park. Voluntary donations go in a secure box. The old cafe has been replaced a while ago. It is nowhere near as good. I wouldn't bother now. The public toilets are in a slightly sorry order... when they're open. Annoyingly, not often enough. Walking is good though flat. Views are lovely most of the time. There is a large lake a smaller one and a river. There is a ton of goose/waterfowl and cattle poop to navigate through in some areas. There is a sport/ training spot frequently ruined by screaming, out of control children. Some circular dog walking paths, and waste bins strategically located. A couple of well-placed benches with lovely views, in honour of certain locals who passed away. There can be evenings with huge clouds of midges, usually warmer times, but they're usually not a problem. Wildlife is happy there and the rangers look after the area rather well. It can and has flooded dramatically in the area, but work to deal with that is underway and in some areas, completed too. It's close to Olney, a small village with further pubs, restaurants and more hairdressers than anyone could need. A couple of reasonable pubs nearby.

   almost 10 months ago
2. Andy Beale ★★★★☆

   Some good parking space. £1 voluntary donation. The cafe (open to 4ish) provided hot and cold refreshments and were friendly. Sauntered around the lake and took about 50 mins. Looks like lots of spaces for picnics near the cafe and a playground and toilets.

   1 year ago
3. Heavy Dude ★★★★★

   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.

   1 year ago

1. Kelly “WhatsUp Bedfordshire” Price-watts ★★★★★

   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.

   1 year ago
2. Steve Bintley ★★★★★

   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.

   almost 2 years ago
3. Hiraa Ali ★★★★★

   A beautiful park. A nice walk, jog, run even cycle! Great for kids! Lot of wildlife..great people, lots of friendly dogs about. This park is well worth the visit, even if your from far away...you will not be disappointed! Cafe gives a nice touch. Great coffee and cakes!

   almost 3 years ago

1. Phil Johnson ★★★★★

   Called in this morning for a mid ride tea stop. It's a popular country park and for good reason. Lovely quaint cafe with some indoor seating but plenty of outdoor benches too. Wide open spaces for dog walkers and other activities. Staff in the cafe were very busy but coped admirably and were very friendly. Plenty on the menu from cakes to the full English. Perfect in the Autumn sunshine.

   almost 3 years ago
2. Andrew Fox-Smith ★★★★★

   A lovely nature reserve for a relaxing picnic and stroll. Lots of interesting birds, insects and flora. The ice cream tubs available at the cafe are produced locally and are delicious.

   almost 3 years ago
3. Philip Ansell ★★★★★

   Lovely walk, just over a mile, around a very pretty lake and surrounding countryside on gravel pathways. Plenty of parking, play and picnic areas, walks dotted with sculptures and great efforts from conservationists to keep the flora and fauna in tip top condition. Best of all is the little cafe where you can get delicious fresh coffee, cakes and hot and cold food. Always a treat.

   almost 4 years ago

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