14 Parks to Explore in Bedfordshire

Checkout places to visit in Bedfordshire

Bedfordshire

Bedfordshire is not only a wonderful county to live in, but also to visit and enjoy with all the family. Bedfordshire is the ideal location for a day trip, especially from the neighbouring areas of London, Buckinghamshire and Cambridgeshire. There is so much to do, you’ll wish you were staying longer, so be sure to make a list of all the places.

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Parks to Explore in Bedfordshire

Bedford Park

Bedford Park is a Grade Two listed English Heritage Victorian park in the north of Bedford. Created in 1888 it is the largest urban park in Bedford and contains a lake, multiple play areas, and sports facilities. The park has many mature trees and shrubs, as well as herbaceous borders and naturalized bulb borders. One of the beautiful locations where you can spend some good times.

Castle Ashby Gardens

A beautiful serpentine park and a Victorian garden which was set in the heart of a 10,000-acre estate, the 25 acres of extensive gardens are a combination of several styles including the romantic Italian Gardens, the unique Orangery, and impressive Arboretum. The full Castle Ashby experience also involves a menagerie, children's play area, plant centre, tea room and gift shop.

Emberton Country Park

Emberton Country Park is one of only two large parks in Milton Keynes which comprises play equipments, a lake, and public loos. A short walk from the main car park is a really good play area. The highlights include a pirate ship and a big green twisty slide. The green slide is quite quick so bear that in mind if you have younger children. It also Offers camping, fishing, walking, conservation area and picnicking.

Irchester Country Park

This spectacular former quarry boasts Jurassic geology, and has a wonderful children's play area in addition to a network of long and short trails through 83 hectares of mixed woodland. The park is home to the Quarryman's Rest Cafe, Jungle Parc UK, and the Irchester Narrow Gauge Railway Museum.

National Trust - Ashridge Estate

The National Trust Ashridge Estate is a huge area of woodlands and downland near Berkhamsted with many walking and cycling routes and a visitor centre with shop and cafe. There is a year-round programme of guided walks and events.

Norton Common

Norton Common is a 25.7-hectare park and Local Nature Reserve in the centre of Letchworth Garden City. It is a park which is perfect for walks and picnics and it also offers 63 acres of unspoiled grass and woodland, tennis courts, bowling green and outdoor pool.

Parson's Close Recreation Ground

The Park is home to the very popular Splash ‘n’ Play facility, the beach, the skate park, and also the bandstand. The Splash ‘n’ Play water park is currently closed for winter. the area surrounding the green became the focus for fine houses and grounds built by merchants and the gentry within easy distance of London, yet in a more salubrious setting than the urban environs. A number of Georgian houses have survived, some of them replacing earlier Tudor and Elizabethan buildings.

Priory Country Park

Priory Country Park is a green space made up of lakes, meadows, and woodland which is in part enclosed within a bend in the River Great Ouse. There are habitats from meadows to reed beds, quiet walks for all, fishing, boating, play areas, and bird hides. This beautiful green area is set in a 360-acre ground and it attracts a lot of people.

Rothamsted Park

Rothamsted Park is a huge 56-acre public park adjacent to the world-famous Rothamsted Experimental Research Centre, which includes a sports centre, a paddling pool and an indoor swimming pool, the park is much loved for its wide-open spaces which provide opportunities for walking and relaxation. There is also a popular children’s play area and the District’s only purpose-built skateboard Park.

Rushmere Country Park

Rushmere Country Park is 400 acres of woodland, heathland, and meadows. The main impression you'll most likely come away with is of a heavily wooded area that breaks out into some quite large grassy areas here and there. It is an attractive and accessible public open space, zoned in a manner that enables a wide range of leisure and countryside activities, whilst protecting and enhancing the sensitive natural and historic environment.

Stockgrove Country Park

A huge country park which comprises 80 acres. It has an interesting history dating back to medieval times. It has a visitor center and a variety of habitats including a lake, ancient woodland conifer plantations, meadows, and heath. One of the best sites in the county which provides A pleasant stroll around water bodies & woodland with bat detectors, while keeping a record of bat activity. The park is partly in the Kings and Bakers Woods and Heaths Site of Special Scientific Interest.

Stockwood Park

Stockwood is a public park made from the grounds of what was a stately home from 1740-1964. The former walled vegetable garden now has a set of well-maintained period gardens'. They include a Victorian garden, a cottage garden and a knot garden. The surrounding landscape garden has a sculpture by Ian Hamilton Findlay. The park was originally the estate and grounds to Stockwood House, which was demolished in 1964.

Wardown Park

Wardown Park is one of seven district parks in Luton, providing a green refuge within walking distance of the town centre. It provides the setting for Wardown Park Museum and offers a wide range of opportunities for formal and informal recreational activities. With its outstanding features and is one of the most visited parks in Luton. It provides an oasis of calm within walking distance of the town center.

Wrest Park

Wrest Park is a real treat for the senses. Explore the 92 acres of award-winning gardens, gold winner of Anglia in Bloom Awards 2017. The park ranges from From dazzling parterres and fragrant borders, to sweeping views and woodland walks. There is also an ornate marble fountain, the 18th century Bowling Green House and a striking Chinese Bridge and Temple.

Map of Parks to explore in Bedfordshire