Milton Keynes - Howe Park Wood – The North Bucks Way
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Milton Keynes - Shenley Wood – Howe Park Wood – Oakhill Wood - The North Bucks Way
Contrary to popular misconception, greenery permeates the whole landscape of Milton Keynes and is full of history. We start in Shenley Wood, one of three ancient woodlands in Milton Keynes. Composed principally of ash and oak-trees, the wood was first recorded in the Domesday survey of 1086.
Howe Park Wood is a piece of the past in the middle of Britain's newest city. As well as being home to a wide variety of wildlife, Howe Park boasts more than 200 plant species, some so rare that English Nature has designated it a Site of Special Scientific Interest for its wildlife value.
Adjacent to the wood is St Giles' Church. The present church building dates from about 1540, although a church may have stood here since 1100. The building has been derelict several times and for many years it stood amongst green fields, but now it is surrounded by the housing of Tattenhoe, though at a distance. The building is Grade 2 listed and sits within the Tattenhoe Manor site, which is itself a Scheduled Monument, forming an oasis of calm in the modern world. Services are held every Sunday morning throughout the year and a traditional evensong is held on alternate Sundays.
Tattenhoe Valley Park is a delightful place for a walk, cycle or horse-ride, with plenty of wildlife to enjoy in the necklace of ponds splashing over rocks and providing a fantastic habitat for insect, bird and water life. At the western edge of Tattenhoe the brook runs through a small woodland, Water Spinney, which is also home to a large population of birds.
The Milton Keynes section of the North Bucks Way skirts the edge of the third wood on this walk, Oakhill Wood. It is part of the western boundary of the city. The first section is open country, then the houses get closer. But you still have open countryside to your left.
England - Central England - Buckinghamshire - Countryside
Features
Ancient Monument, Birds, Butterflies, Cafe, Castle, Flowers, Food Shop, Mostly Flat, Play Area, Pub, Restaurant, Toilets, Wildlife, Woodland
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