| Harrold-Odell Country Park |
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| LNR Type: |
Rural |
| County: |
Bedfordshire |
Natural England
Regional Team:
|
East of England |
| Year of Declaration: |
2006
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| Declaring Authority: |
Bedford Borough Council (Unitary) previously Bedfordshire County Council
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| Area (Ha): |
Click here to open the site map (new window). Once displayed, click on the site to see area and other details.
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| Grid Reference: |
SP 959 571
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| Location: |
Harrold, Bedfordshire, MK43 7DS
|
| Owned by: |
Bedford Borough Council
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| Managed by: |
Bedford Borough Council
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| Link to site map: |
Click here to open the site map from the Nature on the Map web site.
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| How to get there: |
Off Harrold-Carlton Road in Harrold.
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| Visitor facilities: |
Fully accessible visitor centre, inc. Cafe, toilets and information room, wheelchair friendly. Ice cream van. Easy access route around main lake (1.5 miles) fully accessible to wheelchair users. Parking. Events programme. Wheelchairs available. Routes for wheelchair users. Site leaflet. Large car park. Green Flag Award 2009
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| What to see: |
The site is on the edge of the River Ouse. There are two lakes, woodland, osier bed and water meadows.
Watch out for Green Woodpecker, Fieldfares and other birds searching the ground for food. There are a range of orchid species in parts where their specialist requirements exist. Sparrowhawk and Merlin hunt here and use the warm and loose sand for dust bathing and 'anting'. A surprising find can be mussel shells, which have been brought into this area by predators from the river. Seasonally flooded woodland. Bird species such as bittern, little egret, terns and kingfishers. Bats, otters, rabbits, shrews, geese, snakes and amphibians.
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| Volunteer and 'Friends of' groups: |
Friends of Harrold-Odell Country Park
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| Contacts for further information and how to get involved: |
Tel. 01234 720016, hocp@bedford.gov.uk
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| Website address and other links: |
www.hocp.co.uk/facilities/ www.bedford.gov.uk/leisure_and_culture/parks_and_open_spaces/country_parks.aspx
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