Milton Keynes Three Lake Walk

The plan was a walk around three lakes (or sets of lakes) that are joined by a single stream; The lakes in question are Lodge Lake, The Teardrop Lakes (a set of 4 lakes shaped like teardrops) and Furzton Lake (one of the bigger Milton Keynes Lakes).Starting by the car park at Lodge Lake, I headed off on the start of the journey, passing the smaller area of this lake, before heading off through Loughton valley park, the rain still falling and the small stream now running deep and brown like the strongest rivers.

Lodge Lake

Crossing bridges and standing beside the stepping stones, the speed of the flow could really be seen as the river rushed through on its journey from Furzton to Lodge Lake and beyond, reversing my own journey.

Loughton Valley

The walk continued on through Loughton itself, passing areas where in the summer we will see scarecrow on the bi-annual Loughton and Great Holm Scarecrow trail (a fun event we always enjoy a look around), and on passed the fields of the equestrian centre, the multitude of horses mooching around the grassy fields, donning their winter coats, I guess for warmth.

Horses in the Equestrian Centre Fields

I soon arrived at the underpass into the Teardrop Lakes park, the path through dry now, but in times of flood designed to allow large amounts of water to flood through at speed.

Teardrop Lakes

As I started to walk the North East path, I noticed a gentleman walking the lakes, collecting the rubbish, now I don’t know if he was a volunteer with the parks trust or just a nice bloke (not a council worker as no uniform etc.) but whatever the reason it is people like him who make the world a better place, and someone whose example I hope to follow.

The steady rain was still attempting to soak me as I walked, thankfully full waterproofs and a nice waterproof cover for my rucksack, kept me pretty dry although, either my sleeves are leaking or the sweat and condensation build up is too much for my coat to handle as my arms were quite damp (a reproofing or new rain coat seem in order).

The lakes themselves were pretty in the dark grey of the rain clouds, the greens of the grass and browns of the trees really popping, drenched as they were in the constant rain.

First shot of Teardrops

Fancy signpost at Teardrop Lakes

Light mist at one end of the Teardrop Lakes

End of the Teardrop Lakes

On To Furzton

An interesting aside of my walk between three lakes is the passing by of the National Bowl an arena famous for its many rock concerts in the past, sadly something that seems to have vanished from the Milton Keynes landscape (bar the EDC).

I was soon crossing high over Watling Street, the old roman road that was once the A5 and runs straight through this part of town, and was looking at Furzton Lake, one of the larger lakes in Milton Keynes, peeling off to the left I wandered passed another car park, and an area that will shortly be turned into a “fun” 9 hole golf course and cafe, a shame in my mind, but a sign of progress I guess, and down towards the nature area of the lake.

Through the Reeds

Nature area of Furzton Lake

Passing dog walkers, fishermen and even model boat enthusiasts, I was enjoying my wet walk, the peace of a little solitude is an underrated commodity, and when the rain is coming down there are less people wanting to share the open spaces.

Return to Teardrop lakes

For once wildlife was taking a back seat to just walking, the pounding of my feet on concrete, a steady pace, metronomic in its action, became almost meditative in its consistency, which meant I was keeping up a faster pace than I usually would and was soon passing the large pub and heading back under Watling street towards the Teardrop lakes once more.

Model Boat users

Water Expanse – Furzton Lake

The fast pace continuing I was soon back walking passed the Teardrop lakes again. This time on the South West side. As my journey continued and the kilometres flew by (Yeah KM over miles purely because that was how the ViewRanger app measured it), the rain began to ease a little, and I began to heat up, covered in the extra layers of waterproofing.

Teardrop Lakes in the rain

Teardrop lakes

By the time I was back into Loughton Valley Park, I was building up quite a sweat. Walking alongside the same brook as earlier, I was amazed to discover that the water had risen in the short time I had been moving. The stepping stones I had previously passed now had water lapping over the top.

Stepping Stones

Return to Lodge Lake

Eventually I arrived back at Lodge Lake and continued the circuit, passing the wonderfully smelling Chinese restaurant, and the duck feeding station. Before passing the path down to Bradwell Abbey, and eventually arriving back at the car park I had started at. 2 hours 39 minutes after I had first left and 12 kilometres (7.43 miles) walked. The full route details are at the end of this post.

Of course my walk continued as I had to get home still, but hey, that’s another story.

Lodge Lake

Lodge Lake

View Ranger Map of Milton Keynes Three Lake Walk