Harrold History

The History of the Village of Harrold

Harrold has a very ancient history.  A flint flake found just to the north of Harrold indicates human occupation dating back to the Old Stone Age, and axe heads and burial mounds from the New Stone Age have been found both north and south of the village.  Bronze Age burial sites were discovered during archaeological surveys prior to the creation of the Country Park and new housing developments.

The name Harrold probably means “boundary on rising ground” the first element the Old English “har” can mean grey or a boundary, the latter seeming more likely as Harrold is on the boundary of three counties, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Northamptonshire. The second element is “weald” or “wold” meaning rising ground.

More information can also be found on the Bedfordshire Community Archives