The purpose of a country park is to provide a place that has a natural, rural atmosphere for visitors who do not necessarily want to go out into the wider countryside. Visitors can enjoy an open public space with an informal atmosphere, as opposed to a formal park as might be found in an urban area. And Barnwell Country Park is Oundle’s very own country park.

Barnwell Country Park is made up mostly of 15 hectares of lakes, riverbank and meadows to explore. The park has 4 lakes in its compound, the north lake, the middle lake , the little lake and the mill lake. There are picnic areas, fishing points and pathways all around the park.

Spending a weekend at the park is inexpensive when compared to almost any other family trip. Admission to the park is free for everyone and the park itself is just a twenty minute walk from the market place. If one chooses to drive, parking costs a mere £2 for the whole day. Refreshments, bird food as well as knick knacks can be purchased from the store, which is combined with the tourist information centre located at the main entrance of the park.

Activities that can be enjoyed at the park include French Boules, a walk on any the three trail paths around the park, feeding the ducks (bird food is available at the shop) and coarse fishing.

The park has two separate play areas to accommodate children of different ages, as well as seating for the parents. It also offers wheelchair loan for the disabled who come to visit the park and special locations such as the Disabled Fishing Points are made available all around the park. Electric buggies and specialist bicycles are available for hire at the shop.

Although the park was once troubled by financial issues, with the support of the towns people it has now flourished. According to Ranger Sant, the park gets approximately 70 000 visits a year, which is a large number for one of the smaller country parks in Northamptonshire.

Ranger Eric Sant believes that maintaining the park has been made possible with the help of all the volunteers. Without them the park would not be as clean and attractive as it is right now. Volunteers of the park includes students from Oundle School, Prince William School and Thrapston College, as well as some youths who are on probation. When asked about the parks biggest attraction, Ranger Eric Sant has one word to give: tranquillity. The peace and quiet that the park offers is an amazing get away from the busy sounds of a town and is priceless. Even on a crowded day, there will always be a part of the park that is quiet for those who come to visit for that very reason.