Hazeley Wood
Some of the loveliest features of Hazeley Wood are the wide grass rides which cut through the woodland, opening up views and providing important woodland edge habitat, which benefits a range of wildlife including butterflies and moths.
Adjoining the wood to the west is an area of land reserved by Milton Keynes Council for the extension of the V2 Tattenhoe Street grid road, which is being built to connect into the Fairfield residential development area. Another section of land along the southern edge of the wood is also reserved for a potential future extension of the H4 Dansteed Way grid road, to link this to the V2, although there are no plans for this road to be built in the foreseeable future.
Part of the wood is reserved for use at certain times by the Milton Keynes Field Archery Club and we ask visitors to keep out of this area when the archery is taking place. For more information about the archery click here.Â
Hazeley Wood was planted in 1991 by The Development Corporation and continued to be developed by The Parks Trust when it was established to care for the green spaces in 1992. The wood was planted with hazel, oak, beech, hornbeam and ash, and supports a large range of invertebrates and fungi. Wildflower areas have been planted around the edges and there is an ancient hedgerow which supports an array of wildlife.Â
The wood links with the North Bucks Way, which is a long-distance footpath and green corridor that runs all along the western edge of Milton Keynes. The Parks Trust owns land along sections of this old routeway and our long term aim is to join up our ownership to create a new linear park all the way from the Tattenhoe Valley in the south west to the Ouse Valley Park in the north.
As a developing woodland Hazeley Wood needs a lot of care and attention and it is not unusual to see the Trust's volunteer work parties amongst the trees, pruning side branches of the oaks to improve their form. This is just one of many jobs that our practical volunteers carry out to help keep the parks in great shape.
Events
For details of events in this area see the What’s On pages.
Wildlife
Hazeley Wood is abundant in wildlife because its location on the edge of the city means it is largely undisturbed. In summer the grass rides are filled with wildflowers which attract masses of butterflies, moths and other insects; these in turn attract a huge variety of birds and bats to feed on them. Later in the year jays can be seen gathering acorns for winter food and the wood becomes a fantastic place to see autumn and winter fungi.
Car parking
There is a small car park off Dansteed Way, about 100 metres after the Grange Farm roundabout.
Toilets
There are no public toilets in the wood.
Disabled access
The site is flat with grass paths and rides, although these may become soft in wet weather.
