connect...

Step onto the towpath and

For more information go to canalrivertrust.org.uk

with the great outdoorsThink of your canals and rivers and the surrounding hedgerows as long, winding nature reserves. An ideal habitat for tiny creatures like dragonflies and butterflies, birds such as kingfishers and herons, and even larger mammals such as badgers, stoats or water voles, it’s a great way to enjoy the Great British countryside right on your doorstep. In fact, a recent wildlife survey spotted over 60 different species, and that’s not including the fish! So make sure that you keep your eyes peeled as you amble through the scenery.

with great timesIf you’re looking to break from routine, to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life or to find a peaceful place to enjoy a spot of lunch, your local canal is just a stone’s throw away. With so much to do and see, your canal is ideal for meeting friendly, like-minded people or spending quality time with your family and friends. Or just bring yourself and a book for a moment of peaceful solitude.

The handy map inside this leaflet is full of information on the unique activities and attractions that you’ll find on your local waterway. So if you’re after some fresh air and freedom, grab the kids or grandparents and get out on the towpath!

with your great-great grandfathersOur canal system is a vital part of the nation’s heritage, dating back to the Industrial Revolution. And it still helps make Britain great today. Locks, aqueducts, tunnels and incredible boat lifts are all testament to the golden age of British engineering, and most of it is beautifully preserved.

Get involved, join us

*You will be charged £3 plus one message at your standard network rate of which the Canal & River Trust will receive a £3 donation, except from O2 customers where the donation received will be £2.96. If we receive more money than we need then the extra donations will be used on similar work. By using this service, you agree that we may contact you in the future. If you’d rather we didn’t, reply ‘DECLINE to 70007’.Charity number: 1146792

Open up for your local map

In an increasingly fast-paced and crowded world, our historic canals and rivers are a local haven for people and nature. The Canal & River Trust is the new charity entrusted with the care of 2,000 miles of waterways in England and Wales.

Donate time – volunteer! Fancy getting involved with the valuable work of the Trust? Whether you want to get stuck in at your local canal or take on more of an office-based role, look at our website to find out what’s happening in your area; there’s never been a better time to get involved.

Give a dragonfly a home with your mobileWe are undertaking 50 amazing projects to help celebrate our launch. And we promise that 100% of your donation will go directly to your local project.

Please text today to help plant new flora and provide a home for British wildlife on the Grand Union Canal, near Tring reservoir.

This planting will provide a habitat that will encourage birds, newts and dragonflies to the area. Your donation could also help build viewing platforms and a new path between the canal and the reservoir. Support this project now, and play your part in encouraging and preserving nature at this special area of the Grand Union Canal.

So please text a gift of £3 today – every penny you give will help to transform the area and provide a special place for people and wildlife to use.

Text TRING to 70007 to give £3 to our Grand Union project.*

To the best of our knowledge correct at time of print

Milton Keynes, Banbury & Tring’s canals

iYOUR FREE GUIDE TO

with a time gone by

with your inner child

i

Milton Keynes, Banbury & Tring’s canals

YOUR FREE GUIDE TO

Connecting you Connecting me

find out more at canalrivertrust.org.uk

B1W_M

152_A5DD

_MiltonKeynes.indd 1

12/06/2012 15:39

connect...

Step onto the towpath and

For more information go to canalrivertrust.org.uk

with the great outdoorsThink of your canals and rivers and the surrounding hedgerows as long, winding nature reserves. An ideal habitat for tiny creatures like dragonflies and butterflies, birds such as kingfishers and herons, and even larger mammals such as badgers, stoats or water voles, it’s a great way to enjoy the Great British countryside right on your doorstep. In fact, a recent wildlife survey spotted over 60 different species, and that’s not including the fish! So make sure that you keep your eyes peeled as you amble through the scenery.

with great timesIf you’re looking to break from routine, to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life or to find a peaceful place to enjoy a spot of lunch, your local canal is just a stone’s throw away. With so much to do and see, your canal is ideal for meeting friendly, like-minded people or spending quality time with your family and friends. Or just bring yourself and a book for a moment of peaceful solitude.

The handy map inside this leaflet is full of information on the unique activities and attractions that you’ll find on your local waterway. So if you’re after some fresh air and freedom, grab the kids or grandparents and get out on the towpath!

with your great-great grandfathersOur canal system is a vital part of the nation’s heritage, dating back to the Industrial Revolution. And it still helps make Britain great today. Locks, aqueducts, tunnels and incredible boat lifts are all testament to the golden age of British engineering, and most of it is beautifully preserved.

Get involved, join us

*You will be charged £3 plus one message at your standard network rate of which the Canal & River Trust will receive a £3 donation, except from O2 customers where the donation received will be £2.96. If we receive more money than we need then the extra donations will be used on similar work. By using this service, you agree that we may contact you in the future. If you’d rather we didn’t, reply ‘DECLINE to 70007’. Charity number: 1146792

Open up for your local map

In an increasingly fast-paced and crowded world, our historic canals and rivers are a local haven for people and nature. The Canal & River Trust is the new charity entrusted with the care of 2,000 miles of waterways in England and Wales.

Donate time – volunteer! Fancy getting involved with the valuable work of the Trust? Whether you want to get stuck in at your local canal or take on more of an office-based role, look at our website to find out what’s happening in your area; there’s never been a better time to get involved.

Give a dragonfly a home with your mobileWe are undertaking 50 amazing projects to help celebrate our launch. And we promise that 100% of your donation will go directly to your local project.

Please text today to help plant new flora and provide a home for British wildlife on the Grand Union Canal, near Tring reservoir.

This planting will provide a habitat that will encourage birds, newts and dragonflies to the area. Your donation could also help build viewing platforms and a new path between the canal and the reservoir. Support this project now, and play your part in encouraging and preserving nature at this special area of the Grand Union Canal.

So please text a gift of £3 today – every penny you give will help to transform the area and provide a special place for people and wildlife to use.

Text TRING to 70007 to give £3 to our Grand Union project.*

To the best of our knowledge correct at time of print

Milton Keynes, Banbury & Tring’s canals

i YOUR FREE GUIDE TO

with a time gone by

with your inner child

i

Milton Keynes, Banbury & Tring’s canals

YOUR FREE GUIDE TO

Connecting youConnecting me

find out more at canalrivertrust.org.uk

B1W

_M15

2_A5

DD

_Milt

onKe

ynes

.indd

1

12/0

6/20

12

15:3

9

To Stoke Bruerne

M1

Central Milton Keynes

Fenny Stratford

Springfield

Pennyland

Simpson

Cosgrove

To Newport Pagnell

A422 (H3) M1

A509 (H5)

A5

A5

H10

A414

6

V8

H9

A4146

H8

H7

H6

V4

V10

A421 (H8)

H5

H4

V7V6

V8

Old Wolverton Road

Old Stratford Road

Newport Road

Wolverton Station

Bletchley Station

Milton Keynes Station

MILTON KEYNES

GRAND UNION CANAL

To Leighton Buzzard

To Aylesbury

To London

To Leigh

ton Buzza

rd

Wilstone Reservoir

GRAND UNION CANAL(AYLESBURY ARM)

Tringford Reservoir

Tringford Pumping Station

Marsworth Reservoir

Startop’s End Reservoir

B489

GRAND UNION CANAL(WENDOVER ARM)

GRAND UNION CANAL

Tring i

i

Cropredy i

Always remember to stay SAFE near water – Stay Away From the Edge. The map is for illustration purpose and is not to scale

A34

A4260

A4260

OXFORD CANAL

Kidlington

King’s Sutton

Middleton Cheney

Aynho

Souldern

Steeple Aston

Tackley

Enslow

7 miles

44 miles

To Oxford

To Coventry

2

3

Heyford

Tackley

BANBURY

Thrupp

4

3

CROPREDY

Castle Quay Shopping Centre

7

8

9

10

11

12

Banbury

Lower Heyford

A422

M40

To Banbury

Banbury i

Always remember to stay SAFE near water – Stay Away From the Edge. The map is for illustration purpose and is not to scale

A34

A4260

A4260

Kidlington

King’s Sutton

Middleton Cheney

Aynho

Souldern

Steeple Aston

Tackley

Enslow

OXFORD CANAL

Spiceball Park

The Mill Arts Centre

7 miles

44 miles

To Oxford

To Coventry

2

3

Heyford

Tackley

BANBURY

Thrupp

4

3

Cropredy

Castle Quay Shopping Centre

7

8

9

10

11

12

Banbury

Lower Heyford

Milton Keynes1 Cosgrove Narrowboat Company2 Milton Keynes Canal Cruises3 thecentre:MK4 Gulliver’s Theme Park5 Xscape6 Campbell Park7 The Galleon8 The New Inn9 The Black Horse10 The Giffard Park11 Pear Tree Bridge Inn & Marina12 The Plough13 The Red Lion

Banbury1 Tooley’s Boatyard2 Café Quay at Banbury Museum3 Ye Olde Auctioneer4 Ye Olde Reindeer Inn5 Great Western Arms

Tring1 Take to the Water2 The Red Lion3 White Lion Pub and Dining4 The Anglers Retreat5 Bluebell Tea Rooms6 The Grand Junction Arms7 Mead and Sons Farm Shop and Café8 Half Moon

Cropredy1 The Red Lion2 The Brasenose Arms

1

3

1

1

6

4

5

7

8

9

10

11

12

132

3 45

6

2

3

4 5

7

81

2

2

Walking trails are a great place to say “hello” and you’ll find plenty of bars, cafés and restaurants along the canal, making it ideal to grab a bite of lunch. Look out for canal cruises too for a real taste of the waterways.

Taking in scenery such as the magnificent Campbell Park and Willen Lakes, your local canal provides an idyllic way to enjoy the British countryside. It also makes an attractive natural habitat, so look out for dragonflies, damselflies, herons, barn owls and kingfishers amongst the various wildflowers. The Redway Nature Trail is a great place to start.

Connect with nature

Connect with people

The stretch of the Grand Union Canal around Milton Keynes has barely changed since it was constructed 200 years ago, when it was an integral part of the Industrial Revolution. The impressive Cosgrove ‘Iron Trunk’ aqueduct between Wolverton and Cosgrove was added in 1811, replacing a failed brick structure, and was restored in 2012. Stroll along and soak up the history.

Connect with history

Canal, River or Dock Railway Station Marina

Lock Pub, Restaurant or Café Picnic Area

Bridge Place of Interest Information

Canal Towpaths Boat Trip & Hire Parking

Key

local canalYour

Milton Keynes

BanburyHere you’ll find the oldest working dry dock in Britain – Tooley’s Boatyard – which has been building and repairing narrowboats since 1790. Now it’s also where you can stock up on canal souvenirs, or learn a canal-related craft like painting Roses & Castles. A few minutes’ stroll from the canal is the centre of this historic market town, and the

famous Banbury Cross (yes, there really is one). And why not treat yourself to an equally famous Banbury Cake?

If you’re up for a longer walk, you can take the towpath alongside the Oxford Canal to Cropredy, four miles away. You’re almost certain to spot moorhens, mallards and perhaps even a shy water vole.

TringIn many ways this is the heart of the Grand Union Canal. Tringford Pumping Station was built in 1818 to pump water into the canal network from Tring Reservoirs. These reservoirs are not just essential for the canal, but also vital for wildlife, with a large population of birds either passing through or making their home here. The reservoirs are designated as an SSSI for bird interest.

Harder to spot but also abundant here are tench, bream, carp, roach, perch, pike and catfish. Fishing tickets are available.

For something more active, there are 11 miles of waymarked walking trails taking in woods, fields, locks and towpaths. At the start of the Aylesbury Arm Canal is the only staircase lock on the Grand Union Canal.

CropredyBefore the Fairport Convention Folk Festival made Cropredy famous, it was better known for being the site of a famous English Civil War battle in 1644. King Charles I’s Cavaliers defeated Oliver Cromwell’s parliamentary troops so Charles was able to cross Cropredy Bridge.

If you would like to see more of the village, you can’t do better than to follow the village trail, which is a leisurely mile-long stroll around the village streets. If you walk along the Oxford Canal itself, you may be fortunate enough to spot a kingfisher, or if you are really lucky, an otter.

Milton Keynes Milton Keynes boasts a scenic stretch of the Grand Union Canal running from historic Bletchley to picturesque Cosgrove. The canal passes Fenny Stratford Lock (great for a pub lunch or waterside pint) and leafy Giffard Park. Much of the town remains hidden behind greenery, pretty bridges and narrowboats. It’s a perfect retreat from the hustle and bustle, and you could imagine yourself being deep in the English countryside. Follow the towpath and you soon will be!

Sat Nav: MK9 4AD

Sat Nav: OX16 5UN

Sat Nav: HP23 4LJ Sat Nav: OX17 1PB

Go to canalriverexplorers.org.uk to download family trail maps

© Crown copyright and database rights, 2012, Ordnance Survey 100019843. Note: Sat Nav postcodes take you to a central point.

B1W_M152_A5DD_MiltonKeynes.indd 2 12/06/2012 15:39

connect...

Step onto the towpath and

For more information go to canalrivertrust.org.uk

with the great outdoorsThink of your canals and rivers and the surrounding hedgerows as long, winding nature reserves. An ideal habitat for tiny creatures like dragonflies and butterflies, birds such as kingfishers and herons, and even larger mammals such as badgers, stoats or water voles, it’s a great way to enjoy the Great British countryside right on your doorstep. In fact, a recent wildlife survey spotted over 60 different species, and that’s not including the fish! So make sure that you keep your eyes peeled as you amble through the scenery.

with great timesIf you’re looking to break from routine, to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life or to find a peaceful place to enjoy a spot of lunch, your local canal is just a stone’s throw away. With so much to do and see, your canal is ideal for meeting friendly, like-minded people or spending quality time with your family and friends. Or just bring yourself and a book for a moment of peaceful solitude.

The handy map inside this leaflet is full of information on the unique activities and attractions that you’ll find on your local waterway. So if you’re after some fresh air and freedom, grab the kids or grandparents and get out on the towpath!

with your great-great grandfathersOur canal system is a vital part of the nation’s heritage, dating back to the Industrial Revolution. And it still helps make Britain great today. Locks, aqueducts, tunnels and incredible boat lifts are all testament to the golden age of British engineering, and most of it is beautifully preserved.

Get involved, join us

*You will be charged £3 plus one message at your standard network rate of which the Canal & River Trust will receive a £3 donation, except from O2 customers where the donation received will be £2.96. If we receive more money than we need then the extra donations will be used on similar work. By using this service, you agree that we may contact you in the future. If you’d rather we didn’t, reply ‘DECLINE to 70007’.Charity number: 1146792

Open up for your local map

In an increasingly fast-paced and crowded world, our historic canals and rivers are a local haven for people and nature. The Canal & River Trust is the new charity entrusted with the care of 2,000 miles of waterways in England and Wales.

Donate time – volunteer! Fancy getting involved with the valuable work of the Trust? Whether you want to get stuck in at your local canal or take on more of an office-based role, look at our website to find out what’s happening in your area; there’s never been a better time to get involved.

Give a dragonfly a home with your mobileWe are undertaking 50 amazing projects to help celebrate our launch. And we promise that 100% of your donation will go directly to your local project.

Please text today to help plant new flora and provide a home for British wildlife on the Grand Union Canal, near Tring reservoir.

This planting will provide a habitat that will encourage birds, newts and dragonflies to the area. Your donation could also help build viewing platforms and a new path between the canal and the reservoir. Support this project now, and play your part in encouraging and preserving nature at this special area of the Grand Union Canal.

So please text a gift of £3 today – every penny you give will help to transform the area and provide a special place for people and wildlife to use.

Text TRING to 70007 to give £3 to our Grand Union project.*

To the best of our knowledge correct at time of print

Milton Keynes, Banbury & Tring’s canals

iYOUR FREE GUIDE TO

with a time gone by

with your inner child

i

Milton Keynes, Banbury & Tring’s canals

YOUR FREE GUIDE TO

Connecting you Connecting me

find out more at canalrivertrust.org.uk

B1W_M

152_A5DD

_MiltonKeynes.indd 1

12/06/2012 15:39