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Barnwell Country Park

Barnwell Country Park
Attraction: Nature & Wildlife, Lakes & Parks
Activities: Walking, Running / Jogging, Playgrounds, Other Activities, Fishing, Cycling, Areas to Play
Admission Charge: Free
Age Range: Ages 11 to 18 years, Ages 5 to 11 years, Under 5's
Street Name: Barnwell Road
Town: Oundle
County: Northamptonshire
Post Code: PE8 5PB
Telephone: 01832 273435
Email: barnwell@northamptonshire.gov.uk
Facilities: Toilets, Toddler Play Area, Outdoor Activities, Indoor Activities, Food & Drink
Opening Times: All day
Opening Days: Daily
Opening Periods: All Year
Description
Nestling in a backwater of the River Nene, close to the historic market town of Oundle, Barnwell Country Park, is a peaceful mixture of lakes, riverside, grassy meadow and marsh.  Barnwell has much to offer visitors, especially families. Take a stroll along one of the lakeside paths (mostly hard-surfaced and suitable for prams, pushchairs and wheelchairs), stop to feed the many ducks, swans and geese, pause a while in the adventure play area or visit the shop.

Created through gravel extraction on the River Nene floodplain, Barnwell Country Park has many lakes and marshes providing homes for many different wildlife species from darting dragonflies to elusive otters. Bird-hides let you get up close - look carefully and you may spot the blue flash of a kingfisher.

Whether you want family fun, gentle relaxation or to spot wildlife why not discover the delights of Barnwell Country Park.

Park Information


  • Park and car park open all day, every day. Toilets open 8:00am to 6:00pm daily.
  • Barnwell Country Park shop with selection of goods to purchase open 9:30am to 4:45pm every day except Christmas Day.
  • Free Admission - car parking charge of £2.00 on pay and display basis.
  • Hot and cold refreshments (including ice-creams) are available from the Visitor Centre when open.
  • Designated picnic and BBQ areas (bring your own portable BBQs or hire our in-park stand).
  • Day Ticket coarse fishing available. Tickets from Visitor Centre.
  • Countryside Ranger Service - ranger usually on site 9:00am to 5:00pm daily
Things to do at Barnwell Country Park

  • Find out more about the park and its wildlife or buy a souvenir of your visit from our Visitor Centre.
  • Play a game of French Boules (Boules hire available).
  • Watch the birdlife - there are two wheelchair accessible bird hides in the park.
  • Have an adventure - the safe, enclosed children's play area has equipment for both toddlers and older children.
  • Stroll along one of the park's three lake or riverside circular trails.
  • Take a break - ice-creams, snacks, hot and cold drinks available from the Visitor Centre.
  • Feed the ducks on Mill Lake - duck food available (much better for both the ducks and the water!)
  • Pick up a Park Discovery pack - plenty of activities, trails and fun for all the family.
  • Join in one of the many events held in the park as part of our annual events programme (pick up a copy of the events magazine in the Visitor Centre.
  • Navigate your way around the park - Orienteering are packs available .
  • Help the wildlife in your garden - find out how in the Wildlife Garden behind the Visitor Centre.
  • Cast Off - enjoy a spot of coarse fishing - tickets available.
  • Step Out - try a longer walk along the River Nene  - walk leaflets available from the Visitor Centre.
  • Look out for dragonflies - can you spot the dragonfly life cycle sculptures?
Get involved

Northamptonshire County Council manages Barnwell Country Park for the benefit of both its wildlife and its human visitors. The Countryside Rangers and our many volunteers are constantly striving to develop and enhance facilities at the park. We need your help to continue this work – why not join our team of volunteers? Call (01604) 810970 for more details. Schools or other community groups can take part in Environmental Activity Sessions run by the Countryside Rangers. Contact us for more information or to book an activity session.


Barnwell has an Award Winning Visitor centre which provides a range of facilities.

  • Hands-on displays and activities
  • Souvenirs
  • Park information
  • Light refreshments
  • Wheelchair Loan
  • First Aid Point
Barnwell Country Park has a Wildlife garden  that has been especially created to provide a variety of wildlife habitats and to show how easy it is to help wildlife at home.

  • Wildlife Pond
  • Bird Boxes
  • Herb Bed
  • Bog Garden
  • Habitat Pile
  • Compost Bin and Water Butt
  • Hibernators
  • Bird Table
Barnwell Country Park has 2 separate (but connected) play areas - one for toddlers or younger children and a second, more demanding obstacle course for older children, plus seating for mum and dad!
  • fenced and gated dog free area
  • Slides
  • Climbing Tower
  • Noah's Ark
  • Toddler Tower
  • Woodland Adventure Trail



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