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Willen Park
Willen Train 2
Windsurfing Willen
Start of Fun Run
Cyclists at Willen
Cycling at Willen

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  (click to view a 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.

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.
If you like your watersports a little more laid-back, you might be  lucky enough to see the local model boat club giving their remote-controlled  boats an outing. This is the only site in Milton Keynes where remote-controlled  model boats may be used.
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)

Dragon Fitness Club
Attached to the  Watersports Centre, the Dragon Fitness Club has been recently extended and  refurbished. Its extensive facilities include a fully equipped gymnasium,  saunas, tanning room, beauty suite, modern aerobics studio, consultation room  and juice bar. The club specialises in personalised programmes and fitness  testing.

Taking a Break
Willen Lake is well-provided with  picnic tables and grassy banks, or you can visit the Travel Inn Milton Keynes  (East), £42.95 per room per night, all rooms en suite with TV and tea/coffee  making facilities. Tel 01908 678534 or book online at  www.travelinn.co.uk.

On warm days from Easter the refreshments kiosk, by  the adventure playground, sell drinks, snacks and ice creams, and there are  mobile catering trailers 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 Ranger Service (for information on wildlife, conservation and for  reporting incidents and damage ) 01908 201545

Aquasail Snow 'n' Surf  01908 670197
Force Ten Fitness 01908 692434
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
Travel Inn (East) 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

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  Holiday Inn (East) 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.

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