Bow Brickhill Woods

This information has been provided courtesy of Milton Keynes Council.

Introduction

On the edges of Bow Brickhill are the Bow Brickhill Woods. Parts of the area were wooded in 1086 and there have probably been some trees here throughout the last 10,000 years. Iron Age people built a hill fort at least 2,000 years ago and since then people have changed the landscape over and over again, by creating arable land from forest, then heathland from arable, then forest from heath and so on. The woods themselves change in nature from place to place on the walk and will continue to do so as areas are harvested and replanted.

Start/Finish Point

London End Lane, Bow Brickhill. The nearest station is Bow Brickhill. From the Bedford-bound platform, head left down the road. From the Bletchley-bound platform, head right down the road. Take the first left onto Station Road towards Bow Brickhill. Take the 4th left onto London End Lane.

You can buy tickets to Bow Brickhill station on our site

Access and General Information

Length: 2 miles

Time: 1.5 hours

Directions

From London End, the walk follows a pine-lined bridleway which was once a coach road to Little Brickhill. Below the hill, young Norway spruce (Christmas Trees) are protected by fencing. Mature conifers are dark and lifeless, but young plantations hold many birds - so look for hunting sparrowhawk. The rich birdlife elsewhere includes crossbill, redstart, owls, nightjar and woodpeckers.

Wild flowers include bluebells, lady's smock, gorse and ramping fumitory. Beyond the storm-wrecked spruce, a mysterious pond, alder swamp and damp meadow add habitats for wildlife.

If quiet, you may see barking deer, or muntjac. The males' call can be terrifying close by or at night. Brought to Woburn from China, they escaped and are now seen even in Central Milton Keynes. Look for their tiny hoof prints in muddy places.

The walk across the pond was built by the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers to give access to the walk from Little Brickhill.

At Broomhills Wood past the redwoods and rhododendrons, the short cut 'A' turns left via steps to cross the golf course as far as Bow Brickhill Church.

Weather Forecast

Below is the weather forecast for Bow Brickhill.

Print this page