Help shape the vision of Bedfont Lakes Country Park

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Overview

Bedfont Lakes Country Park opened in July 1995 and is celebrating it’s 30th anniversary this year!

Historically, the area was known for its market gardens and orchards – including supplying apples and pears to Covent Garden Market in Central London. From the 1950s, the site was repurposed as a landfill until 1973. By the late 1980s the site underwent a dramatic transformation to create a parkland of lakes, woodland and grassland. In 1995, the park formally opened to the public and was declared a nature conservation and a local wildlife site.

The anniversary of the park presents an opportunity to develop a new vision and strategy for the next 30-years. We have begun the process of articulating our understanding of the park’s qualities, the issues we are facing and future possibilities.

The qualities that make Bedfont Lakes the place it is:

• Its tranquillity, rural character and scale

• Its informal and relaxed atmosphere

• The variety of habitats, particularly its open grasslands and lakes

• Its wildlife (waterfowl, birds, amphibians, invertebrates and mammals), livestock and rescued animals

• The Greenspace Countryside Team who manage and maintain the site, as well individuals and local groups such Bedfont Lakes Conservation Volunteers

• The variety of events and activities that are organised on-site, as well as its educational outreach work

• Its proximity and role as a counterpoint to to business and industrial uses.


Bedfont Lakes Country Park Survey Results

Bedfont Lakes Country Park is one of Hounslow’s largest and most valued green spaces, attracting visitors from across the borough and neighbouring areas. To mark its 30th anniversary, the Parks team conducted a survey to understand how people use the park, their experiences, and priorities for improvement.

Why did we do this survey?

The Council wanted to capture residents’ opinions and ideas to help shape future investment in Bedfont Lakes. The survey explored how visitors travel, what motivates them to visit, how they rate facilities, and what improvements they would like to see. The results will inform ongoing planning and stakeholder discussions about the park’s future.

Who responded

A total of 186 people took part in the survey between 18 July 2025 and 30 September 2025 . The majority of responses came from Hounslow (100) and Spelthorne (72), with a further 14 respondents from other areas.

Most people reported visiting either weekly or monthly, with visits peaking strongly during the summer months. Typical group sizes were between two and four people, although some larger groups were also noted.


How do people travel

Travel to the park is dominated by car use, with 140 respondents (75%) choosing this option. Walking was the second most common mode, with 28 people (15%) highlighting the park’s local walkability. Public transport was used by 9 respondents (5%), while cycling accounted for 8 responses (4%), showing a small but growing interest in active travel.

Why do people visit

The main motivations for visiting were walking and enjoying fresh air (71%) and connecting with nature (53%). Other popular reasons included visiting play areas (26%), relaxation (26%), using the exercise or fitness trail (22%), dog walking (19%), socialising (13%), and wildlife or bird watching (13%).

What did visitors say

The park’s natural environment and atmosphere were highly valued, with more than 170 respondents rating them as Excellent or Good. Over 90% of visitors said they felt safe, happier, and more connected to nature after their visit, while 98% stated they would recommend the park to others. Community value was also strong, with 96% agreeing that the park makes the area a better place to live.

However, some weaknesses were identified. Toilets and the visitor centre received the lowest scores, with 21% rating them Poor or Very Poor. Respondents also highlighted limited public transport and cycling infrastructure, with strong demand for a pedestrian and cycle bridge from Ashford.

Path surfaces and flooding issues were noted as reducing accessibility. Learning outcomes were weaker, with fewer visitors reporting that they learnt something new about nature or history.

Finally, there were requests for more amenities, including food concessions, shaded seating, dog facilities, toddler play areas, and to bring back open water swimming.

Next steps

This feedback will help guide the future of Bedfont Lakes Country Park:

  • Facilities: Improved toilets, food concessions – built or mobile, seating, and shelter.
  • Access: Bridge feasibility, path upgrades, signage, and cycling provision.
  • Programming: More educational, family, and community activities.
  • Nature & wellbeing: Enhancing biodiversity, interpretation, and opportunities to connect with heritage.

Overview

Bedfont Lakes Country Park opened in July 1995 and is celebrating it’s 30th anniversary this year!

Historically, the area was known for its market gardens and orchards – including supplying apples and pears to Covent Garden Market in Central London. From the 1950s, the site was repurposed as a landfill until 1973. By the late 1980s the site underwent a dramatic transformation to create a parkland of lakes, woodland and grassland. In 1995, the park formally opened to the public and was declared a nature conservation and a local wildlife site.

The anniversary of the park presents an opportunity to develop a new vision and strategy for the next 30-years. We have begun the process of articulating our understanding of the park’s qualities, the issues we are facing and future possibilities.

The qualities that make Bedfont Lakes the place it is:

• Its tranquillity, rural character and scale

• Its informal and relaxed atmosphere

• The variety of habitats, particularly its open grasslands and lakes

• Its wildlife (waterfowl, birds, amphibians, invertebrates and mammals), livestock and rescued animals

• The Greenspace Countryside Team who manage and maintain the site, as well individuals and local groups such Bedfont Lakes Conservation Volunteers

• The variety of events and activities that are organised on-site, as well as its educational outreach work

• Its proximity and role as a counterpoint to to business and industrial uses.


Bedfont Lakes Country Park Survey Results

Bedfont Lakes Country Park is one of Hounslow’s largest and most valued green spaces, attracting visitors from across the borough and neighbouring areas. To mark its 30th anniversary, the Parks team conducted a survey to understand how people use the park, their experiences, and priorities for improvement.

Why did we do this survey?

The Council wanted to capture residents’ opinions and ideas to help shape future investment in Bedfont Lakes. The survey explored how visitors travel, what motivates them to visit, how they rate facilities, and what improvements they would like to see. The results will inform ongoing planning and stakeholder discussions about the park’s future.

Who responded

A total of 186 people took part in the survey between 18 July 2025 and 30 September 2025 . The majority of responses came from Hounslow (100) and Spelthorne (72), with a further 14 respondents from other areas.

Most people reported visiting either weekly or monthly, with visits peaking strongly during the summer months. Typical group sizes were between two and four people, although some larger groups were also noted.


How do people travel

Travel to the park is dominated by car use, with 140 respondents (75%) choosing this option. Walking was the second most common mode, with 28 people (15%) highlighting the park’s local walkability. Public transport was used by 9 respondents (5%), while cycling accounted for 8 responses (4%), showing a small but growing interest in active travel.

Why do people visit

The main motivations for visiting were walking and enjoying fresh air (71%) and connecting with nature (53%). Other popular reasons included visiting play areas (26%), relaxation (26%), using the exercise or fitness trail (22%), dog walking (19%), socialising (13%), and wildlife or bird watching (13%).

What did visitors say

The park’s natural environment and atmosphere were highly valued, with more than 170 respondents rating them as Excellent or Good. Over 90% of visitors said they felt safe, happier, and more connected to nature after their visit, while 98% stated they would recommend the park to others. Community value was also strong, with 96% agreeing that the park makes the area a better place to live.

However, some weaknesses were identified. Toilets and the visitor centre received the lowest scores, with 21% rating them Poor or Very Poor. Respondents also highlighted limited public transport and cycling infrastructure, with strong demand for a pedestrian and cycle bridge from Ashford.

Path surfaces and flooding issues were noted as reducing accessibility. Learning outcomes were weaker, with fewer visitors reporting that they learnt something new about nature or history.

Finally, there were requests for more amenities, including food concessions, shaded seating, dog facilities, toddler play areas, and to bring back open water swimming.

Next steps

This feedback will help guide the future of Bedfont Lakes Country Park:

  • Facilities: Improved toilets, food concessions – built or mobile, seating, and shelter.
  • Access: Bridge feasibility, path upgrades, signage, and cycling provision.
  • Programming: More educational, family, and community activities.
  • Nature & wellbeing: Enhancing biodiversity, interpretation, and opportunities to connect with heritage.
  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    Visitor Survey

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Page last updated: 24 Dec 2025, 02:19 PM