North Loughton Valley Park

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About North Loughton Valley Park

This area of linear parkland runs from Blue Bridge at the Grand Union Canal down as far as Lodge Lake at Loughton Lodge. The park features include historical gems and some world famous Milton Keynes icons!

At the Blue Bridge/ Bancroft Park end of the park there are two wet/dry balancing lakes that accommodate excess water from Loughton Brook during periods of heavy rainfall. Much of the parkland in Milton Keynes was designed to hold floodwater to prevent residential flooding.

 

Facilities

There is a public car park off Constantine Way in Bancroft Park (located off the H2 Millers Way) and at Bradwell Abbey by the City Discovery Centre.

There are no toilet facilities within the park.

The park is also home to Bancroft Petanque Piste, which can be found near the Roman villa site. This facility is provided by The Parks Trust, free of charge, for anyone who fancies trying this popular game. Bancroft Petanque Club plays on the piste three times a week, and welcomes anyone who would like to try the sport. Find out more about the Petanque Club.

 

History 

At the top of Loughton Valley be sure to visit the remains of the Roman Villa at Bancroft which were revealed when the site was excavated between 1973-78.  The villa consisted of a house with mosaic pavements and a bath suite, a summer house, a kitchen garden/orchard and several farm buildings around a farm yard. Further excavations on the villa site also uncovered an earlier house, a farm manager's house, more farm buildings, two more walled gardens and a trackway through the site.

The park also has a fascinating history with examples of medieval fields, as well as a natural spring that used to provide water for the nearby railway line.

 

 

Public Art

Bancroft Park is home to the iconic concrete cows, created by artist Liz Leyh in 1978, also live in the park and are located off the H3 Monks Way at Bancroft.

 

 

Accessibility 

There are all weather paths throughout the park but please note that some paths are liable to flooding during periods of heavy rainfall.

Upcoming Events:

Facilities at North Loughton Valley Park

  • Parking

  • Picnic Tables

  • Bridle Path

How to get here

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