Willen Lake North

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    About Willen Lake North

    Willen Lake has two lakes, the South which promises families a fun-filled day out with activities to do both on and off the lake and the North which is quieter and is home to one of Milton Keynes' best-known landmarks. 

    At the lake you will find the Peace Pagoda which was built by the monks and nuns of the Nipponzan Myohoji as a symbol of world brotherhood. Above it, cherry trees commemorate the victims of war, while prayers and messages of hope decorate the nearby One World Tree.

    Alongside the Pagoda is the distinctive Buddhist Temple, where the public is welcome inside or to visit the grounds with their Japanese and Zen gardens. Drawing on Native American culture, the stones of the Medicine Wheel are aligned with the earth’s energies so that thoughts and wishes expressed at its heart may be ‘amplified’.

    At the north end of the lake you’ll find The Labyrinth, and Willen Hospice. Discover more about the public art at Willen Lake.

    Faciliites

    The closest public toilets are at Splash 'n' Play or the Watersports Centre at Willen Lake South.

    The closest car park is at V10 Brickhill St between H5 Portway and H4 Dansteed Way (Peace Pagoda Car Park). Please note, car parking charges apply, for more information please visit the Willen Lake website.

    There are cafés and restaurants at the south lake including the Willen Lake Bar & Kitchen which boasts scenic views.

    Activities

    Fishing is permitted at designated points around the lake. Fishing is managed by Milton Keynes Angling Association.

    All watersports and leisure activities take place on Willen Lake South, there are no watersports permitted at Willen Lake North.

    Wildlife

    Scrubland on the island is kept in check by volunteers to provide more varied habitats for a wide variety of bird species. Nearby, bird scrapes have been created to provide the shallow, sheltered waters that attract wading birds to the site, while volunteers have helped build and install nesting boxes for Sandmartins. The best views are from the bird hide on the south shore of the lake.

    Accessibility

    There are good all-weather paths around most of the lake with steep gradients at the flood control structure and up to Peace Pagoda. Access to the bird hide is via an unmade path: the alternative path is via the South Lake.

    Facilities at Willen Lake North

    • Parking

    • Bird Hide

    • Picnic Tables

    • Interpretation Panels

    • Bridle Path

    • Seating

    • Viewpoint

    • Fishing Pegs

    How to get here

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