Milton Keynes is a great place for walking, with a network of lakes, rivers, canals, parks and green spaces running through and around the city. The city’s planned landscape means that you can often get away from busy roads and enjoy peaceful waterside paths and open countryside without travelling far from the centre.
There are a number of different ways to explore the area on foot, from short walks around individual lakes to longer routes linking several of Milton Keynes’ green spaces together. Here are four of the best walks to try, taking in some of the most attractive and interesting places around the city.
Milton Keynes Canal, River and Lakes Walk
This is a great choice if you want to see a wide variety of Milton Keynes in one walk. The long circular route links several of the area’s main waterside attractions, including Caldecotte Lake, the River Ouzel, the Grand Union Canal and Willen Lake.
The route gives you a good impression of the extensive network of waterways and green spaces that characterises Milton Keynes. The Ouzel Valley provides a particularly pleasant section of the walk, with open green space alongside the river, while the canal provides a more peaceful waterside setting. The route eventually reaches Willen Lake before returning through the surrounding parks and waterways.
It is a longer walk, but the variety makes it a particularly rewarding way to explore the city and its surrounding landscape.
Willen Lake
Willen Lake is one of the most popular outdoor destinations in Milton Keynes and is ideal if you’re looking for an easier waterside walk. The lake is actually divided into two sections, with the quieter North Lake providing a particularly attractive setting for walking.
There are good views across the water and plenty of green space to enjoy along the route. The area also has several distinctive features, including the Peace Pagoda, Labyrinth and Medicine Wheel. The official walking routes around Willen Lake include a four-mile figure-of-eight taking in both lakes, with the paths largely surfaced and relatively easy to follow.
With its combination of water, open parkland and attractions, Willen Lake is a good option for a relaxed walk and a popular choice for families, walkers and visitors to Milton Keynes.
Caldecotte Lake
Caldecotte Lake is another excellent place for an easy walk in Milton Keynes. The route takes you around the lake, providing attractive views across the water and plenty of opportunities to enjoy the surrounding parkland.
The lake is particularly well suited to a leisurely stroll, with walking routes around both the northern and southern sections. There are also areas for watersports, a play area and facilities including a bird hide, so there is plenty to see beyond simply following the lakeside path. The lake is also a good place for spotting wildlife, with waterfowl and dragonflies among the species that can be seen around the water.
Caldecotte Lake also connects naturally with the wider network of paths around the River Ouzel, making it possible to extend your walk if you want to explore more of the surrounding countryside.
Bletchley Park
The Bletchley Park walk offers something rather different from the lakes and waterways of the other routes. Located in Bletchley, the historic estate is famous as the wartime home of Britain’s codebreakers and is now one of Milton Keynes’ most important heritage attractions.
The grounds themselves provide an interesting setting for a walk, with lawns, gardens, mature trees and a lake surrounding the historic buildings. The estate covers around 27 acres, with paths through the grounds and around the lake.
As well as enjoying the grounds, a visit gives you the opportunity to explore the remarkable history of Bletchley Park and the people who worked there during the Second World War. It makes this walk particularly appealing if you want to combine some walking with one of Milton Keynes’ most fascinating historical attractions.
Please note: to access the ground at Bletchley Park, you need to pay admission – visit https://www.bletchleypark.org.uk/ for more information and opening times.
For more walks in the area please visit Milton Keynes Walks and Buckinghamshire Walks.
