Teardrop Lakes
Part of the Loughton Valley Park, the four Teardrop Lakes are also a destination in their own right, providing fishing waters and a peaceful escape for those working in nearby offices.
What to see and do
Don’t miss
The Teardrop Lakes are an important part of the city’s balancing lake system, able to take storm waters to prevent flooding of housing areas. But they also provide valuable leisure facilities for the city’s residents. while the variety of habitats, including dense reedbeds, makes the lakes an excellent spot to enjoy wildlife.
A circuit of the first three lakes, starting from the car park and using leisure routes and redway, is almost 2km – the ideal distance for a lunchtime stroll. For those with more time, head under the roadbridge into Loughton to follow the brook right up the North Loughton Valley.
A viewpoint on the Knowlhill side of the lakes is a steep climb but offers an interesting perspective on the city’s skyline.
Sport
Fishing is permitted in designated areas around the lakes. Contact Milton Keynes Angling Association for details. The park also boasts a cricket pitch and bridlepath and is a popular spot for cycling.
Events
The Teardrop Lakes host occasional try fishing sessions, as well as featuring in organised bike rides year round.
Facilities
Picnic tables Seating Viewpoint Bridle path
Need to know
Getting there
The lakes lie between Knowlhill and the A5 and mainline railway behind Winterhill and are most easily accessed from Davy Avenue
Opening times
The park and car parks are open at all times.
Car parking
Free car parking at the following locations:
Off Davy Avenue, adjacent to the cricket pitch
Off Redland Drive (access under the H6 Childs Way)
Toilets
There are no public toilets at the Teardrop Lakes.
Refreshments
There are no refreshment facilities at the Teardrop Lakes. The nearest shops are at Shenley Lodge and Shenley Church End local centres.
Disabled access
There are good surfaced paths around the lakes. The range of environments means there is no access to the water’s edge in some places.
Make a day of it
The Teardrop Lakes lie within the Loughton Valley Park. Using the leisure routes you can extend your outing to the south, skirting the National Bowl to cross over into Furzton Lake and follow the stream down into the Tattenhoe Valley Park. Or use the leisure route to head through Loughton village into Lodge Lake, and, beyond there, north towards Lodge Lake and Bradwell Abbey.