Location
Milton Keynes
Milton Keynes Marina is in the heart of Milton Keynes, nestling beside the Grand Union Canal and located on Milton Keynes famous Redway system - a network of cycle ways all across the city which take you through beautiful countryside past places of historical interest or right to the door of the shopping centre.
Surrounding Area
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View of Campbell
Park bulb field
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For those less energetic there are
beautiful scenic walks either beside the canal or through open countryside. Particularly attractive is
Campbell Park, only a mile along the canal from the Marina, it has good visitors moorings and Campbell Park's cricket ground attracts youth, county, league and national sides. If you're visiting during the summer months you will be unlucky not to see a game. Seating is on the grass terraces and is usually free. A walk through Campbell Park also takes you into the Theatre Distract, with many excellent restaurants, and Central Milton Keynes shopping areas.
Sports
Indulge in water sports at the nearby lakes or go horse riding from the stables close by. Go to watch MK Dons at their new stadium, again only 1 mile from the Marina. Milton Keynes offers so many different sports from golf, ice skating, skiing, or even sky driving at the Xscape. There is so much to do and all is close by.
15 miles of lock free cruising
Canal cruising is fascinating with interesting villages and varied landscapes in both directions from the Marina. Try this link for the British Waterways Guide to the area for details of the 15 miles of lock free cruising through Milton Keynes. The canal meanders more like a river than a canal around Milton Keynes and with the canal having been built almost 200 year before Milton Keynes, it is more like a water-parkway connecting many historic sites.
Travelling along the canal
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View of Grand Union Canal through Milton Keynes
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Travelling north, the canal passes over aqueducts and through the Stoke Bruerne flight of locks. This brings you to the Waterways Museum where a unique collection brings alive the rich history of over 200 years of canal life. Just beyond is the exciting Blisworth Tunnel. At 3076 yards long, this is one of the longest canal tunnels open to navigation in the British isles. A realistic return cruise in a week is to the famous canal village of Braunston. However, this changes during the periods of shorter daylight hours.
Travelling south, the waterway is quieter and more peaceful as you enter the Aylesbury Vale and the Clinton’s you can reach Marsworth, and the nature reserves at Tring reservoirs and even Berkhamstead. You can also access the 'Aylesbury Arm' of the canal.
I have given below a couple of interesting links for those of you who want to learn more!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Union_Canal
http://clutch.open.ac.uk/schools/shepherdswell99/home.html
If you wish to learn more about the proposed new canal link from this location to Bedford and the river Great Ouse, see the following link: http://www.b-mkwaterway.org.uk/.