Walking


WALKING IN THE PARK

The Park offers two circular way-marked routes around the Park. Alternatively, pick up a leaflet from the Visitor Centre and either follow the Welcome Trail or explorer the Park for yourself.

The Red Route takes you on a surfaced path through the woodland and around the beautiful Grebe Lake. It is approximately 1.6 miles (2.5km) and takes you about 45 minutes walking at a leisurely pace. This route is described in detail in the Welcome Trail leaflet available free from the Visitors’ Centre.

The Green Route is not surfaced and takes you across the river meadows along the banks of the river Great Ouse and around Kingfisher Water. It is approximately 1.4 miles (2.25km) and also takes about 45 minutes walking at a leisurely pace. This route can get wet and muddy in winter or after wet weather.
Click here for a larger map.

WELCOME TRAIL (LEAFLET)
This free leaflet is available from the leaflet rack in the Visitors' Centre. It provides a handy guide to an introductory walk around the park. The route follows a set of 14 numbered marker posts and uses the all-weather pathway around the large (Grebe) Lake. Including stops to read the guide, it takes about 90 minutes.

Click here to view and/or print the Welcome Trail map. Note, it's also available in the trail leaflet.

WALKING FOR HEALTH
It is generally accepted that walking is good for us all. With this in mind, the Park offers a regular series of pleasant guided walks aimed at providing healthy exercise. These are led by a trained leader.

Each walk starts at the Visitors' Centre in the Park. Dates can be found in the Health Walks section of this website and are also posted on the Park notice board.

Opening Hours

The Park is open to visitors 365 days a year. This also applies to the main car park but not to the overspill car park which closes at 5:00pm each day.

For details of the Dragonfly café opening hours, please click here.

The Park is owned and managed by Bedford Borough Council. The Friends of Harrold-Odell Country Park work in partnership with Council staff and run this web site.

Emergencies should be reported to the staff or direct to the appropriate emergency service.

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