Priory Country Park

{{Short description|Country park in Bedford, England}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}

{{Infobox park

| name = Priory Country Park

| photo = Priorycountrypark.jpg

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| type = country park

| location = Bedford, Bedfordshire
England

| coords = {{Coord|52.131972|-0.434981|type:landmark|display=inline,title}}

| area =

| created = 1986

| operator = Bedford Borough Council

| visitation_num =

| status = Open all year

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Priory Country Park is a country park located in the Newnham area of Bedford, England alongside the River Great Ouse. The park is managed by Bedford Borough Council.[http://www.bedford.gov.uk/Default.aspx/Web/PrioryCountryPark/ Bedford Borough Council: Priory Country Park]

The park was established after gravel extraction ended in 1977. It was officially opened in 1986 by Valerie Singleton. It covers an area of 300 acres (121 hectares), with habitats including lakes, grassland and woodland.[http://www.wildlifebcnp.org/educationcentres/education-priory.htm The Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire and Peterborough website]. Accessed 3 January 2011 It includes the Priory Marina and Cardington Artificial Slalom Course. There is also a Beefeater Grill and Premier Inn by the park entrance.

Priory Country Park won a Green Flag Award in 2007.[http://www.greenflagaward.org.uk/winners/GSP001265/ Green Flag Award winners: Priory Country Park] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080829073406/http://www.greenflagaward.org.uk/winners/GSP001265/ |date=2008-08-29 }}

The wall alongside the marina is constructed from stones which were once part of the former Augustinian monastery that occupied part of the site. It also contains Roman bricks from an earlier Roman farmhouse that preceded it.Bedford Borough Council circular walk guide No 5, 2022