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Play Area and Outdoor Gym Equipment Guidance

02 July 2020

In accordance with Government guidelines, we are reopening the play areas and outdoor gym equipment we manage across the parks from 4th July with new restrictions and guidance in place.

Improvement works at Willen Lake are back underway

05 May 2020

The improvement works at Willen Lake are due to resume this week (Monday 4th May 2020).

Improvements at Willen Lake

23 January 2020

We’re pleased to announce that work on the second phase of major improvements at Willen Lake, Milton Keynes’ most popular park, will be starting this month.

Wildlife blog: Herons & Egrets

21 January 2020

The days are gradually getting longer and whilst it might still feel quite wintry to us, some of our resident birds are already thinking about nesting.

Whitbread submits plans for new hotel and investment at Willen Lake

06 December 2019

New Premier Inn and restaurant would boost wider development and expansion at Willen Lake Whitbread – owner of Premier Inn – has submitted plans to bring a new Premier Inn hotel and family restaurant to Willen Lake in a scheme which will further reinforce this as one of the key leisure attractions for Milton Keynes.

Some wildlife highlights to look out for this November

05 November 2019

But perhaps the wildlife highlight at Willen Lake this time of year is the starling roost. Numbers vary drastically from year to year but on cold, sunny evenings hundreds – or hopefully many thousands – of starlings will swarm over the lake and island before coming down to roost in the reed beds.

‘Intro To Cold Water’ Swim Sessions by Milton Keynes Open Water Swimming

21 October 2019

Milton Keynes Open Water Swimming (run by Love Open Water) will be running once-a-month sessions during the winter months to introduce open water swimmers to colder water temperatures.

Spooky swimming at Milton Keynes Open Water Swimming

16 October 2019

Milton Keynes Open Water Swimming (run by Love Open Water) based at Willen Lake, are running a spooktacular night swim for open water swimmers to really get their fangs in to!

Calling all avid adventurers! Can you face your fears and tackle Willen Lake’s terrific Treetop Extreme?

01 October 2019

Treetop Extreme, Willen Lake’s high ropes course, is the perfect adrenaline activity for avid adventurers. Zoom down four zip wires and overcome over 50 obstacles as you make your way around our courses.

Thousands help to beat cancer at Pretty Muddy at Willen Lake

16 September 2019

Thousands of people united against cancer on Saturday 7th September by taking part in Cancer Research UK’s Pretty Muddy at Milton Keynes' Willen Lake.

The Parks Trust sees another busy summer of events and activities

29 August 2019

The 2019 events season has been a very busy one here at The Parks Trust. We have been very honoured to see so many community events taking place in our parks this year.

Enjoy a free swim at Milton Keynes Open Water Swimming

27 August 2019

Milton Keynes Open Water Swimming (run by Love Open Water) based at Willen Lake, are running a ‘Special Offer Day’ for anyone who wants to give open water swimming a try. It’s a great opportunity to enjoy this increasingly popular sport that allows you to embrace the freedom to swim with nature.

Oh we do love to be beside the seaside

08 August 2019

Join us on Friday 16 August between 10am – 3pm, as we transform Willen Lake into the seaside for the day at our fun filled family day – Seaside in the City!

Swimming at Willen Lake is not just for ducks!

06 August 2019

You can now go open water swimming in Willen Lake during safe, fun and responsible sessions run by Milton Keynes Open Water Swimming. The team started open water swimming at the lake in July 2019 and will be running sessions throughout the summer and hope to continue to offer some ‘cold water swimming’ sessions through the winter months too.

It’s feeling hot hot hot…

22 July 2019

With Milton Keynes being over 80 miles from the nearest beach and when the weather is hot, hot, hot who wants to travel all that way in a boiling car, getting stuck in traffic jams? Why not visit Willen Lake instead?

Banish the boredom these six weeks of summer at Willen Lake

17 July 2019

Schools out for summer and there are six whole weeks to fill with activities for the kids! Are you wondering how you’re going to entertain the family across the school holidays?

Have your say at The Parks Trust’s Annual Public Meeting

28 June 2019

Would you like to find out more about the acres of glorious parkland in Milton Keynes and the many ways you can enjoy what it has to offer from walking to music festivals to watersports….

Art at the Lake Festival comes to Willen Lake this weekend (Sat 29th & Sun 30th June)

24 June 2019

MKIAC delivers a large scale two day annual multicultural community festival “Art at the Lake“. Last year we were delighted to see 11,000 festival goers enjoying our programme of cultural music, international artists, visual arts, alongside live demonstrations and arts workshops.

New watersports centre and café to open at Willen Lake

06 June 2019

Willen Lake, Milton Keynes’ most popular park has successfully secured planning permission for its next phase of improvements.

Big Doggie Do Two Day Extravaganza At Willen Lake

15 May 2019

The Parks Trust is busy preparing for Big Doggie Do, which will be held at Willen Lake over the bank holiday weekend, Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th May 2019.

Treetop Extreme highly commended by The Adventure Awards

05 April 2019

This year our Treetop Extreme High Ropes course at Willen Lake was shortlisted in The Adventure Awards ‘Best Team Building Activity’ category.

FriendsFest comes to Willen Lake in 2019

14 March 2019

The award-winning FriendsFest arrives in Milton Keynes for a 25th anniversary tour, in partnership with The Luna Cinema, with brand new and exclusive activities and merchandise!

New Online Gift Voucher System Makes Present-Buying Even Easier

22 February 2019

Willen Lake has launched a new online order system for its popular gift vouchers, which makes buying a treat for the adventurous watersports fan in your life even easier.

Willen Lake to Create Jobs for 100 Residents This Season

19 February 2019

Willen Lake is gearing up for the start of the new leisure season by creating up to 100 jobs, suitable for adults of all ages and abilities, and launching a selection of new activities.

A day in the life: Lakeside Assistant

22 January 2019

Our series of insights into careers at Willen Lake continues with a chat with Wayne, one of our Lakeside Assistants, who play a vital role in ensuring the site is ready for our visitors to enjoy!

A day in the life: Watersports

21 January 2019

We continue our series of insights into careers at Willen Lake with a catch up with Chloe - one of our Waterfront Supervisors - who gives us an insight into our busy watersports centre and what it takes to work here!

Find Out What's On in Milton Keynes Parks in 2019

15 January 2019

The Parks Trust are proud to present its 2019 What’s on Guide with thanks to our sponsors Vodafone.

Planning Your Route to Willen Lake

14 January 2019

Not sure of the best way to get to Willen Lake from different locations in Milton Keynes? Well then look no further!

New Year, New You?

12 December 2018

It’s that time again – time to reflect on the 12 months past and look to the year ahead, deciding targets we want to achieve, adventures we want to enjoy and habits we want to break.

Be the first to hear about our 2019 programme

02 November 2018

Although summer may now be behind us, we’re busy planning our programme of activities and events at Willen Lake for 2019.

Over 800 Bags of Litter Collected from Milton Keynes Parks in One Week

25 September 2018

A survey by The Parks Trust has revealed that nearly five tonnes of litter was left in the city’s parkland in one week this summer.

Willen Lake – On a Screen Near You!

13 August 2018

If you’re a Sky customer then you may have spotted our new television advert, which will be showing on a wide variety of Sky channels throughout the summer holidays.

Giant Aqua Parc Obstacle Course Comes to Willen Lake!

29 June 2018

We are very pleased to announce that on Saturday 7th July 2018 one of the biggest aqua parks in the country will be opening at Willen Lake.

Willen Lake Launches New and Improved Website

20 March 2018

Willen Lake has launched a new website which offers customers an improved online experience; with fully responsive design, better interactivity including maps and video and integration with a new booking system.

Aerial Extreme at Willen Lake Rebrands to Treetop Extreme

31 October 2017

Aerial Extreme, the popular high ropes course at Willen Lake, is rebranding to Treetop Extreme from 1st November 2017.

Successful Opening for Willen Lake’s Splash ‘n’ Play

26 July 2017

The new Splash ‘n’ Play splash park at Willen Lake has opened with a successful first weekend.

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Willen Lake is....
Milton Keynes’ most popular park
Willen Lake is..
managed by self-financing charity The Parks Trust
Find out more...
Willen Lake offers..
a wide range of activities on and off the water – something for everyone to enjoy
Find out more...
Willen Lake is.....
the location for many of the city’s popular events
Find out more...
Willen Lake offers...
dedicated, expert watersports tuition for people at all skill levels
Find out more...
Splash ‘n’ Play is...
one of the UK's largest outdoor splash parks!
Find out more...
Treetop Extreme has...
three different courses to choose from!
Book now...

Filming and Photography at Willen Lake
Find out more
Press and Media Enquiries at Willen Lake
Find out more

Our Blog

Filter by category

Play Area and Outdoor Gym Equipment Guidance

Improvement works at Willen Lake are back underway

Improvements at Willen Lake

Wildlife blog: Herons & Egrets

Whitbread submits plans for new hotel and investment at Willen Lake

Some wildlife highlights to look out for this November

‘Intro To Cold Water’ Swim Sessions by Milton Keynes Open Water Swimming

Spooky swimming at Milton Keynes Open Water Swimming

Calling all avid adventurers! Can you face your fears and tackle Willen Lake’s terrific Treetop Extreme?

Thousands help to beat cancer at Pretty Muddy at Willen Lake

The Parks Trust sees another busy summer of events and activities

Enjoy a free swim at Milton Keynes Open Water Swimming

Oh we do love to be beside the seaside

Swimming at Willen Lake is not just for ducks!

It’s feeling hot hot hot…

Banish the boredom these six weeks of summer at Willen Lake

Have your say at The Parks Trust’s Annual Public Meeting

Art at the Lake Festival comes to Willen Lake this weekend (Sat 29th & Sun 30th June)

New watersports centre and café to open at Willen Lake

Big Doggie Do Two Day Extravaganza At Willen Lake

Treetop Extreme highly commended by The Adventure Awards

FriendsFest comes to Willen Lake in 2019

New Online Gift Voucher System Makes Present-Buying Even Easier

Willen Lake to Create Jobs for 100 Residents This Season

A day in the life: Lakeside Assistant

A day in the life: Watersports

Find Out What's On in Milton Keynes Parks in 2019

Planning Your Route to Willen Lake

New Year, New You?

Be the first to hear about our 2019 programme

Over 800 Bags of Litter Collected from Milton Keynes Parks in One Week

Willen Lake – On a Screen Near You!

Giant Aqua Parc Obstacle Course Comes to Willen Lake!

Willen Lake Launches New and Improved Website

Aerial Extreme at Willen Lake Rebrands to Treetop Extreme

Successful Opening for Willen Lake’s Splash ‘n’ Play

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Our Blog

Filter by category

Play Area and Outdoor Gym Equipment Guidance

Improvement works at Willen Lake are back underway

Improvements at Willen Lake

Wildlife blog: Herons & Egrets

Whitbread submits plans for new hotel and investment at Willen Lake

Some wildlife highlights to look out for this November

‘Intro To Cold Water’ Swim Sessions by Milton Keynes Open Water Swimming

Spooky swimming at Milton Keynes Open Water Swimming

Calling all avid adventurers! Can you face your fears and tackle Willen Lake’s terrific Treetop Extreme?

Thousands help to beat cancer at Pretty Muddy at Willen Lake

The Parks Trust sees another busy summer of events and activities

Enjoy a free swim at Milton Keynes Open Water Swimming

Oh we do love to be beside the seaside

Swimming at Willen Lake is not just for ducks!

It’s feeling hot hot hot…

Banish the boredom these six weeks of summer at Willen Lake

Have your say at The Parks Trust’s Annual Public Meeting

Art at the Lake Festival comes to Willen Lake this weekend (Sat 29th & Sun 30th June)

New watersports centre and café to open at Willen Lake

Big Doggie Do Two Day Extravaganza At Willen Lake

Treetop Extreme highly commended by The Adventure Awards

FriendsFest comes to Willen Lake in 2019

New Online Gift Voucher System Makes Present-Buying Even Easier

Willen Lake to Create Jobs for 100 Residents This Season

A day in the life: Lakeside Assistant

A day in the life: Watersports

Find Out What's On in Milton Keynes Parks in 2019

Planning Your Route to Willen Lake

New Year, New You?

Be the first to hear about our 2019 programme

Over 800 Bags of Litter Collected from Milton Keynes Parks in One Week

Willen Lake – On a Screen Near You!

Giant Aqua Parc Obstacle Course Comes to Willen Lake!

Willen Lake Launches New and Improved Website

Aerial Extreme at Willen Lake Rebrands to Treetop Extreme

Successful Opening for Willen Lake’s Splash ‘n’ Play

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