Willen Lakeside Park

More than one million visitors come to Willen Lakeside Park each year to play, picnic, take part in watersports, jog, attend events or simply sit and watch the world go by. You can take a walk of approximately 1.75 miles around the South Lake


Location Map

Willen for Kids
There are two play areas close to the car park off Newlands roundabout in Brickhill Street (v10). During the summer months extra children's attractions near the playgrounds include a bouncy castle. Further round the lake, just past the Watersports Centre, a miniature railways operates most weekends of the year.

Aerial Extreme
A superb high ropes course can now be found beside the lake, it offers a great day out for all the family
Aerial Extreme at Willen Lake

Willen for Watersports
You can enjoy watching or taking part in watersports at Willen for twelve months of the year. The Watersports Centre, off Lakeside Roundabout in Brickhill Street (V10) runs training courses for all abilities and hires canoes, sailing dinghies and windsurfers.
The Watersports Centre also has secure lock-up facilities for private boats and equipment and runs the Aquasail, Snow 'n' Surf sports shop.

Willen Lake is licensed for fishing and is a popular venue for angling competitions. Details about obtaining a licence are available from Milton Keynes Angling Association (see contacts section), or local angling shops.

Exercise in the Outdoors
It doesn't matter when you visit Willen, you're almost certain to see a jogger. If you came to join them, a circuit of the lake is 3,100 metres (approx. 1.75 miles) or you can continue around the north lake, giving a circuit of 4,400 metres (approx. 2.75 miles). At the same time you might want to use the Trim Trail - 12 specially designed exercise stations with a suggested routing for three different fitness levels, building from beginner to experienced. If you enjoy the challenge of the Willen Trim Trail there are similar courses to try at Linford Wood, Lodge Lake and Tattenhoe Valley.

During school holidays and warm weekends it is possible to hire bicycles for all ages from Lakeside Cycle Hire near the Watersports Centre (see contacts section)

LA Fitness
Attached to the Watersports Centre, the LA Fitness Club has extensive facilities including a fully equipped gymnasium, sauna, steam room, hairdressing, alternative therapies, swimming pool and kids club/creche. The fitness centre specialises in personalised programmes and fitness testing.

Water Ski Cable Tow A new addition to the facilities at Willen Lake. Learn to wakeboard or waterski. www.wakemk.com

Taking a Break
Willen Lake is well-provided with picnic tables and grassy banks, or you can visit the Premier Travel Inn Milton Keynes (East), all rooms en suite with TV and tea/coffee making facilities. Details can be found in our
Accommodation Guide

Enjoy a coffee or a snack at the cafe by the adventure playground. You can also purchase drinks and ice creams at various locations around the lake.

If you want to get away from the crowds, the promontory, extending out into the lake just beyond the playground boasts some attractive planting and lovely views across the water

Special Events
The mini-bowl is an enclosed grass arena which can accommodate up to 8,000 people for private and public events.

Other regular events at Willen include colourful dragon boat racing, modern pentathlon, charity fun runs and barbecues. For more details of Willen's calendar, or to discuss arranging your own event, contact Leisure at Willen (see contacts section below)



Contacts
Milton Keynes Parks Trust Community Service (for information on wildlife, conservation and for reporting incidents and damage ) 01908 201545

Aerial Extreme Tel: 0870 850 2808
Cable Tow 01908 670197
Dragons 01908 295699
Leisure at Willen 01908 691620
Lakeside Cycle Hire 0l908 691616
Milton Keynes Angling Association 01908 270000 & 01234 713144
Milton Keynes Natural History Society: 01908 372966
Premier Travel Inn 01908 678534

Milton Keynes Parks Trust also publishes other leaflets in this 'guides to the park' series as well as self guided walks, cycle rides, a history in the parks series and other. You can pick them up at our events, in local libraries, or by phoning us on 01908 233600. Visit our website at MK Parks www.mkparks.co.uk

Access to Willen Lakeside Park
Location: between the H5, H6, V10 and V11 and linked to the city centre via leisure routes through Campbell Park and Newlands.

Public Transport: buses 15, 16, 17, 18, ll9 and those passing through North Woolstone.

Car Parks: Watersports - off Lakeside Roundabout, Brickhill Street (V10), designated disabled bays close to the lake (follow signs right through car park)

North Bay - off Newlands Roundabout, Brickhill Street (V10), two designated disabled spaces and good, level access to the park.

Paths - Paths are generally good and wide with firm, all weather surface. There are some shallow gradients, but plenty of seats near the hotel and play area, and occasional seating around the lake.

Disabled Access Please contact the Centre for Integrated Living Tel: 01908 231344 for up to date news.

Refreshments/Toilets The Express by Holiday Inn and coffee shop is open all year and during spring and summer weekends and school holidays there is a refreshment kiosk at the play area. The hotel toilets (including a disabled cubicle) are open to the general public. The kiosk toilets also include a disabled cubicle but this is only available when the kiosk is open.

PLEASE NOTE: For your own safety, swimming is not allowed in the lake, river or weir. We also ask for your co-operation in not disturbing Willen's wildlife; please keep dogs under control, preferably on a lead, use a poop-scoop, and if you can't find a litter bin take your rubbish home.

Further information

For information about the construction of Willen Lake visit the Clutch Site

For views across Willen Lake click here

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