Awards
We are delighted to announce that Harrold-Odell Country Park has been given the 2026/27 Green Flag Award. This is the 19th year in a row that we have met the standards against which we are judged. The Friends of Harrold-Odell Country Park are full of skilled, dedicated and special volunteers who turn up week in and week out to make this park welcoming, safe, clean and full of wonders! Well done everyone!
In July 2023, The Friends of Harrold-Odell Country Park also jointly won the ‘Keep it Wild’ Category in the CPRE Bedfordshire Living Countryside Awards 2023! Another prestigious award for a special group of people. The judges highlighted the sense of community amongst the volunteers and the variety of ways in which they are engaging visitors with the biodiversity of the Country Park. You can find out more about the Awards here. Ed Green, Country Park Officer.
CPRE MARK for LANDSCAPE IMPROVEMENT
This award was granted by CPRE in October 2010 for all the improvements that staff and Friends of the Park had made to the environment. Previously in 2009, the Park had received a Highly Commended Award for the clearance of the orchard site ahead of planting.
The Park was nominated for the CPRE MARK by Mr & Mrs Richard Hall.
In 2011, the Park received a CPRE Award for the whole Park and in 2016, the Boardwalk Project received a CPRE Highly Commended Award.
Trip Advisor
In July 2014, Trip Advisor identified HOCP as receiving rave reviews from visitors. It continues to receive very favourable comments from the many visitors who enjoy is peaceful environment.
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.
