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Location notes
Old Farm Park bridleway is located on the Bedford-Bletchley line, between the stations of Bow Brickhill and Woburn Sands, on the southern outskirts of Milton Keynes. It is a small bridleway way, with modern gates across the line - although it looks little used.
Railway type and traffic
The Bedford Bletchley line is operated by London Midland trains that run a mostly hourly service between the two stations, with all trains stopping at all of the stations on route, Monday to Saturday. Trains stop by request at Kempston Hardwick. There are no scheduled passenger trains on Sunday. These are operated by a small fleet of sprinter 150/1 units.
There are a number of freight workings, the most numerous being DB Schenker departmental workings to and from Forders Virtual Quarry (just to the east of Stewartby station). These workings serve locations on both the WCML and MML.
There is also a Tuesday and Friday, at the time of writing, morning Bletchley to Peak Forest stone empties, which leaves Bletchley between 10:20 and 10:40 - although earlier and later timings have been noted.
There are a number of freight workings, the most numerous being DB Schenker departmental workings to and from Forders Virtual Quarry (just to the east of Stewartby station). These workings serve locations on both the WCML and MML.
There is also a Tuesday and Friday, at the time of writing, morning Bletchley to Peak Forest stone empties, which leaves Bletchley between 10:20 and 10:40 - although earlier and later timings have been noted.
Environment
This small crossing is on the very southern outskirts of Milton Keynes, with most of the housing and light industry hidden behind trees to the north, and tree lined fields to the south. There is a tarmac path right up to the gates which extends several feet on the southern part of the line.
Few people use the crossing, even with the local dog walkers usually turning back at the gates. There is nowhere to shelter should the weather turn nasty. Old Farm Park is one of the nicer parts of Milton Keynes.
Few people use the crossing, even with the local dog walkers usually turning back at the gates. There is nowhere to shelter should the weather turn nasty. Old Farm Park is one of the nicer parts of Milton Keynes.
Road directions
On the A5, take the exit sign posted for Denbigh North and Caldecotte, also signed posted for the A4146. Take the 3rd exit on the roundabout, from the south, or 1st from the north, and continue eastwards along the H10 "Bletcham Way". At the first roundabout, named "Walton Park", head straight across. At the second roundabout, head straight across again (this has V11, "Tongwell Street", heading north from it). At the end of H10 is another roundabout, take the 2nd exit, south, along Britten Grove. Take the 3rd right, along Boyce Crescent and follow this road round, until Davenport Lea.
Park somewhere near Davenport Lea, although not in the road itself, and walk the length of Davenport road. At the end of this road is a cycle way (or Red Route), turn right/south along this clearly marked path and within minutes you will reach the gates across the line.
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Old Farm Park Bridleway map co-ordinates
Park somewhere near Davenport Lea, although not in the road itself, and walk the length of Davenport road. At the end of this road is a cycle way (or Red Route), turn right/south along this clearly marked path and within minutes you will reach the gates across the line.
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Old Farm Park Bridleway map co-ordinates
Parking
There is no official parking in the area, but free on-street parking is available, although it's probably best to stick to the bigger roads, Boyce Crescent for example, rather than the little side roads.
Public transport
The nearest station is Woburn Sands which is served by hourly tains from Bedford and Bletchley. Due to the roundabout route by road needed to reach the location this walk will take about 25 minutes.
MK Metro service 8 operates every 30 minutes from Milton Keynes station to Bletchley via Bittern Grove in Old Farm Park. You can then walk via Bittern Grove to access the footpath. Note you need the service 8 that goes to Bletchley: alternate journeys serve Woburn Sands and do not serve Old Farm Park.
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Amenities
There is a local centre in Old Farm Pack, along Britten Grove, which includes a Tesco Metro. There are many varied shops in the centre of Milton Keynes, and both Bletchley and Milton Keynes stations have several shops.
Sun Compass
Sun Compass using Suncalc by brought to you by Vladimir Agafonkin:
It might be necessary to adjust the time to suit your visit, this link should open with the current day.
Old Farm Park Bridleway
Streetmap links
Old Farm Park Bridleway general view map
Old Farm Park Bridleway close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Old Farm Park Bridleway
It might be necessary to adjust the time to suit your visit, this link should open with the current day.
Old Farm Park Bridleway
Googly map
Old Farm Park Bridleway general view map
Old Farm Park Bridleway close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Old Farm Park Bridleway
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Photographic notes
The Bedford Bletchley line is running mainly east-west, but slightly south-east to north-west at this point. Photography is probably best in the morning for east bound traffic, and best in the afternoon for west bound traffic. The trees to the north can make a nice backdrop, but the trees to the south block the weak winter light - so this location is probably better in the summer months. The line is very straight here in towards the east, with a sharp curve to the west.
Standing behind the gate to the south of the line affords views in either direction, but you are slightly below the line, which suits some people's style of photography, others may wish to either bring steps, or carefully balance on the gates.
Standing behind the gate to the south of the line affords views in either direction, but you are slightly below the line, which suits some people's style of photography, others may wish to either bring steps, or carefully balance on the gates.
General views - All photographs © Richard Tearle unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking east
This is the east facing view from the southern side of the line, showing the well placed signal, and the sharp curve in the near distance.
This was taken in late December at 09:30 with a 70mm lens.
Fig 2 - Looking west
This is the west facing view from the southern side of the line, showing the straight part of the line.
This was taken in late December at 09:30 with a 60mm lens.
Fig 3 - Looking east
Another view east showing how the signal and local unit can make a nice composition.
Disclaimer
All information contained within this is site is © Trainspots. The images used on this site remain the property of the original photographer, as credited at the top of the page, and are used with their kind permission.
The information on these pages is supplied for the benefit of railway enthusiasts who carry out a harmless hobby, and through the medium of photography and video, actually promote the railway industry. Railway enthusiasts can also act as eyes and ears against railway vandalism, and as such should surely be encouraged to do so by the supply of adequate information such as is found on this website.
This site has been created to assist railway photographers in their travels around the country. It is based on the personal knowledge and experience. No liability can be held against the web site or its contributions for incorrect information. Trainspots will endeavour to check all information and corrections will be accepted and posted accordingly.
Advice as to the locations general environment is given as a guide on each page. This information is a GUIDE only. ALWAYS be careful with your equipment, Trainspots can not be held responsible for your personal security. Avoid leaving your property on display for all to see, be aware of your surroundings at all times. There are, sadly, people who will not think twice about trying to steal your equipment.
Trainspots DOES NOT condone trespass and none of the information on this site should be taken as a right to trespass on either railway or private land. To the best of our knowledge all locations are publicly accessible areas, where they are not contact information will be given to the appropriate authority for permission to be obtained.
The content of this site is created and intended for all age ranges but the content of sites linked from this site are not subject to the same intentions. Trainspots will attempt to check links for validity but as time passes and the site grows this will not always be possible. Broken, or indeed updates to, links should be submitted to the editor for inclusion in the updates. All links external to the Trainspots site are opened in a new browser window. Trainspots has been running now for over 10 years and there are imitation sites and guides to railfotspots. But we are a free site and we continue on the path we started out on over a decade ago to provide a useful guide to UK Railway Photographic Locations.
The information on these pages is supplied for the benefit of railway enthusiasts who carry out a harmless hobby, and through the medium of photography and video, actually promote the railway industry. Railway enthusiasts can also act as eyes and ears against railway vandalism, and as such should surely be encouraged to do so by the supply of adequate information such as is found on this website.
This site has been created to assist railway photographers in their travels around the country. It is based on the personal knowledge and experience. No liability can be held against the web site or its contributions for incorrect information. Trainspots will endeavour to check all information and corrections will be accepted and posted accordingly.
Advice as to the locations general environment is given as a guide on each page. This information is a GUIDE only. ALWAYS be careful with your equipment, Trainspots can not be held responsible for your personal security. Avoid leaving your property on display for all to see, be aware of your surroundings at all times. There are, sadly, people who will not think twice about trying to steal your equipment.
Trainspots DOES NOT condone trespass and none of the information on this site should be taken as a right to trespass on either railway or private land. To the best of our knowledge all locations are publicly accessible areas, where they are not contact information will be given to the appropriate authority for permission to be obtained.
The content of this site is created and intended for all age ranges but the content of sites linked from this site are not subject to the same intentions. Trainspots will attempt to check links for validity but as time passes and the site grows this will not always be possible. Broken, or indeed updates to, links should be submitted to the editor for inclusion in the updates. All links external to the Trainspots site are opened in a new browser window. Trainspots has been running now for over 10 years and there are imitation sites and guides to railfotspots. But we are a free site and we continue on the path we started out on over a decade ago to provide a useful guide to UK Railway Photographic Locations.
