Millennium Trail

This information has been provided courtesy of MK Web.

Introduction

The ambition is ultimately to create a web, which will connect every town and city with a mesh of routes away from busy roads and where possible via separate car-free paths. It is hoped that links within the network will eventually pass within two miles of half the population. The network will carry an estimated 100 million journeys every year, roughly 60 per cent of which will be utility trips and 40 per cent leisure.

Sustrans identified Milton Keynes as a crossroads for connecting the Midlands, Oxford, Cambridge and London. Within the City they found all the necessary links already in place. It was just a matter of choosing the most attractive paths and adding some localized improvements and additional signs under the co-ordination of MK Council.

As an extra MK bonus a Millennium Circuit was created and using the map and route instructions you can spend a wonderful day sampling some of the City's highlights and some of the best parks managed by the Parks Trust.

There is also the option of dividing the route into two smaller circuits, north and south by the link shown on the map through Campbell Park and the City centre and down to the railway centre.

Start/Finish Point

The start point is at the MK Parks Trust Headquarters in Campbell Park. The nearest station to the start point is Bow Brickhill. From here, use the MK Redways to access Campbell Park. A map of the Redways is given below..

You can buy tickets to Bow Brickhill on our website.

MK Redways Map (PDF, 3mb)

Access and General Information

Length: 12 miles
Time: 2.5 hours

Directions

1. Starting from the Parks Trust's headquarters in Campbell Park cycle to the canalside car park and turn left to continue north alongside the canal.

2. Cross the canal at Bridge 80A, join the Broadwalk with its avenue of chimney-like Lombardy poplars, with the canal now on your left. At the redbrick hump-backed bridge No79, turn left over the bridge and follow the path away from the canal. After 300 yards turn right then left on to the Redway. Go past a few old houses and turn right opposite a sign for Harpers Lane past the village green.

3. Continue in the same direction along the picturesque Great Linford High Street, past a telephone box and the Nag's Head pub. Go through gates into Linford Manor Park with its 18th century manor house and beautiful landscaping, and bear left following Route 6 signs past the stone-built almshouses and the former schoolhouse, a church and a stone circle.

4. Rejoin the canal then shortly bear left uphill on to the railway path. Follow for almost two miles along the old line that used to connect Newport Pagnell with Wolverton until 1964.

5. Emerge from the wooded railway cutting with the Bradwell windmill on the bank to your left. Continue straight ahead, crossing the bridge over the V6 signposted 'Wolverton', Stony Stratford, Stacey Bushes'. Immediately after crossing the bridge turn right and follow the path downhill and round to the right to pass beneath the bridge.

6. Here you enter the northern end of the Loughton Valley Park that stretches to the western end of Bletchley . The path soon runs parallel with the stream to your right. Pass beneath a curious wooden bridge. Short detours from here will take you to the Roman Villa site in Bancroft and the City's only public petanque court!

7. The path joins the Redway near to the famous Concrete Cows. Bear right signposted 'Bradwell Village, Bradwell Abbey, Lodge Lake, Loughton Village'.

8. Continue in the same direction over crossroads. At a T-junction turn right to go over a narrow bridge inside a tunnel! If you are on a bike, you may prefer to dismount here. At the end of the tunnel turn sharp left 'Lodge Lake, Loughton Village'.

9. Follow close to the stream, passing beneath two large bridges. At a T-junction turn left then right signposted 'Loughton Village, Tear Drops Lake'. Lodge Lake is one the most popular small parks with its curvaceous shoreline and resident waterfowl. It is an extremely successful fishery as well.

10. At the T-junction at the end of the lake turn left (same sign). Follow the path and brook to Linceslade Grove, keeping to the right. Cross the road on the raised crossing and turn left onto the Redway. At the end of the bridge turn right and continue beside the stream.

11. At the T-junction turn right then left on to the Loughton Village Green. For this short section you join quiet roads so take care. At the junction with Bradwell Road go straight on to Leys Road then at the end turn left on to the Redway. Continue up Common Lane towards the railway station.

12. Just before the bridge over the railway lines turn right at the T-junction signposted 'Loughton, Knowlhill, Milton Keynes Bowl'.

13. Follow signs for Route 51 and Milton Keynes Bowl. The Redway will lead you back to the Loughton valley but now in the form of the Tear Drops Lakes. Beyond the lakes the stream reappears. Go round the outside of the Bowl past Gates 3 and 2. At the T-junction with V4 turn left, signposted 'Bletchley, Route 51'.

14. At Gate 1 bear left then at the T-junction turn left (leaving Route 51) signposted 'Bleakhall, Coffee Hall' and begin to climb the hill. Cross the A5 and the railway line then pass beneath a second main road. At a fork of paths bear right (there are signs for Woughton Campus a little way along the left-hand fork).

15. Gentle descent. At the crossroads go straight ahead on to 'Public Bridleway', or take a little time to explore the grounds of the arts centre Interaction, based in the Old Rectory to your right. Cross the canal and follow the signs for 'The Green, Woughton Ouzel Valley Park'. Here is one of the most surprising sights in the City - a peaceful rural hamlet among all the new development, and not far away the City's own vineyard and community orchard.

16. Shortly after the red-brick houses on the left, turn left alongside black railings on gravel surfaced tarmac path. Continue in the same direction. At the canal turn right signposted 'Woolstones, Newlands, Campbell Park'. Follow the Canal Broadwalk for 1 and half miles until you reach a footbridge (number 81B). Turn left and rejoin the canalside path on the other side, passing a living willow sculpture, called Circle Dance. Turn left at the car park and follow the path back to the Pavilion, visible just across the road.

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