Richard gower 30/07/2026 Richard gower 30/07/2026

Completing all Merseyside parkruns

There are currently 10 parkrun events in the present-day county of Merseyside, of which I have not yet completed any. The first was Princes, which started on 26th March 2011 and the newest is Brimstage, which started on 3rd October 2026. The name for having completed all parkrun events in the county is “Mersey-Beat”.

The present-day / ceremonial county of Merseyside is made up of land that was previously in the historic counties of Cheshire and Lancashire. Birkenhead and Brimstage were originally in historic Cheshire but is now in Merseyside. All other Merseyside parkrun events were in the historic county of Lancashire.

Numbers exclude 2k Junior parkruns and any events that are not open to the general public such as prisons or armed forces facilities.

All of the Merseyside parkrun events …

Below are each of the Merseyside 5k parkrun events in alphabetical order. A few things to note:

The interactive maps below take you to the approximate location for the course, typically the centre of the park. See the course instructions in the parkrun page for each event for specific directions to the start.
Course maps and elevation profiles show the route at the time that I ran it and may have changed since then. See the Course page in the event’s page on parkrun.org.uk for the current course outline. Note that course outlines are from Garmin data during a specific run and may vary from the officially measured distance.
Please contact me if you spot an event that doesn’t have a course map and elevation profile and you would like to donate one from your own run. I’m also interested in maps and elevation profiles for courses that have changed or where there’s a regular alternative route (e.g. Horsham). I’ll need a GPX file from your run plus the date. I’ll include a credit for you and will donate £1 to parkrun.

Birkenhead

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Cheshire
Ceremonial County: Merseyside
Inaugural: 18th July 2015
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Brimstage

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Cheshire
Ceremonial County: Merseyside
Inaugural: 3rd October 2026
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Crosby

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Lancashire
Ceremonial County: Merseyside
Inaugural: 14th November 2015
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Croxteth Hall

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Lancashire
Ceremonial County: Merseyside
Inaugural: 14th March 2015
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Kew Woods

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Lancashire
Ceremonial County: Merseyside
Inaugural: 15th December 2018
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Knowsley

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Lancashire
Ceremonial County: Merseyside
Inaugural: 10th December 2016
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Princes

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Lancashire
Ceremonial County: Merseyside
Inaugural: 26th March 2011
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Southport

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Lancashire
Ceremonial County: Merseyside
This event is also part of parkrun Compass Club
Inaugural: 11th June 2016
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

St Helens

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Lancashire
Ceremonial County: Merseyside
Inaugural: 5th July 2014
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Sutton Manor

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Lancashire
Ceremonial County: Merseyside
Inaugural: 7th December 2019
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Completing all Greater Manchester parkruns

There are currently 25 parkrun events in the present-day county of Greater Manchester, of which I have not yet completed any. The first was Bramhall Park, which started on 19th April 2008 and the newest is Kingsway Park, Urmston which started on 18th November 2023. The name for having completed all parkrun events in the county is “Greater Ran-Chester”.

The present-day / ceremonial county of Greater Manchester is made up of land that was previously in the historic counties of Cheshire, Derbyshire, Lancashire and Yorkshire.

Bramhall Park, Cheadle Hulme, Hyde, Marple, Sale Water, Woodbank and Wythenshawe were in historic Cheshire and are now in Greater Manchester.
All other Greater Manchester parkrun events were in the historic county of Lancashire.
Fletcher Moss was in historic Lancashire and is now in Greater Manchester but a small part of the course crosses into present-day Cheshire.

Numbers exclude 2k Junior parkruns and any events that are not open to the general public such as prisons or armed forces facilities.

All of the Greater Manchester parkrun events …

Below are each of the Greater Manchester 5k parkrun events in alphabetical order. A few things to note:

The interactive maps below take you to the approximate location for the course, typically the centre of the park. See the course instructions in the parkrun page for each event for specific directions to the start.
Course maps and elevation profiles show the route at the time that I ran it and may have changed since then. See the Course page in the event’s page on parkrun.org.uk for the current course outline. Note that course outlines are from Garmin data during a specific run and may vary from the officially measured distance.
Please contact me if you spot an event that doesn’t have a course map and elevation profile and you would like to donate one from your own run. I’m also interested in maps and elevation profiles for courses that have changed or where there’s a regular alternative route (e.g. Horsham). I’ll need a GPX file from your run plus the date. I’ll include a credit for you and will donate £1 to parkrun.

Alexandra

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Lancashire
Ceremonial County: Greater Manchester
Inaugural: 12th February 2022
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Bolton

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Lancashire
Ceremonial County: Greater Manchester
Inaugural: 5th February 2011
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Bramhall Park

I have not yet completed this event
Original name: Bramhall Time Trial. The original set of Time Trials were rebranded as "parkrun" in 2008 to appeal to a wider, non-traditional running community.
Historic County: Cheshire
Ceremonial County: Greater Manchester
Inaugural: 19th April 2008
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Burnage

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Lancashire
Ceremonial County: Greater Manchester
Inaugural: 21st July 2012
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Chadderton Hall

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Lancashire
Ceremonial County: Greater Manchester
Inaugural: 23rd April 2016
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Cheadle Hulme

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Cheshire
Ceremonial County: Greater Manchester
Inaugural: 28th June 2014
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Clarence

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Lancashire
Ceremonial County: Greater Manchester
Inaugural: 1st October 2022
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Fletcher Moss

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Lancashire
Ceremonial County: Greater Manchester
Inaugural: 17th November 2018
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Haigh Woodland

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Lancashire
Ceremonial County: Greater Manchester
Inaugural: 31st October 2015
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Heaton Park

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Lancashire
Ceremonial County: Greater Manchester
Inaugural: 20th June 2009
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Hyde

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Cheshire
Ceremonial County: Greater Manchester
Inaugural: 7th January 2017
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Kingsway Park, Urmston

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Lancashire
Ceremonial County: Greater Manchester
Inaugural: 18th November 2023
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Marple

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Cheshire
Ceremonial County: Greater Manchester
Inaugural: 26th May 2012
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Oldham

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Lancashire
Ceremonial County: Greater Manchester
Inaugural: 24th July 2010
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Peel

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Lancashire
Ceremonial County: Greater Manchester
Inaugural: 25th September 2021
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Pennington Flash

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Lancashire
Ceremonial County: Greater Manchester
Inaugural: 12th March 2011
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Philips Park

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Lancashire
Ceremonial County: Greater Manchester
Inaugural: 4th March 2023
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Sale Water

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Cheshire
Ceremonial County: Greater Manchester
Inaugural: 7th October 2017
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

South Manchester

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Lancashire
Ceremonial County: Greater Manchester
This event is also part of parkrun Compass Club
Inaugural: 14th November 2009
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Stamford Park

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Lancashire
Ceremonial County: Greater Manchester
Inaugural: 13th June 2015
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Stretford

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Lancashire
Ceremonial County: Greater Manchester
Inaugural: 14th November 2015
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Watergrove

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Lancashire
Ceremonial County: Greater Manchester
Inaugural: 7th June 2014
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Woodbank

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Cheshire
Ceremonial County: Greater Manchester
Inaugural: 22nd August 2009
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Worsley Woods

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Lancashire
Ceremonial County: Greater Manchester
Inaugural: 3rd March 2012
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Wythenshawe

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Cheshire
Ceremonial County: Greater Manchester
Inaugural: 6th August 2011
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Completing all Lancashire parkruns

There are currently 14 parkrun events in the present-day county of Lancashire, of which I have not yet completed any. The first was Preston, which started on 12th May 2012 and the newest is Worden, which started on 14th October 2023. I’m not aware of a County Completion Name for Lancashire but let me know in the comments if you have one.

The present-day / ceremonial county of Lancashire is smaller than the historic county of the same name. Several Lancashire parkrun events fall into different historic and ceremonial counties:

Alexandra, Bolton, Burnage, Chadderton Hall, Clarence, Fletcher Moss, Haigh Woodland, Heaton Park, Kingsway Park Urmston, Oldham, Peel, Pennington Flash, Philips Park, South Manchester, Stamford Park, Stretford, Watergrove and Worsley Woods were in historic Lancashire and are now in Greater Manchester
Barrow, Fell Foot, Ford and Grizedale Forest were in historic Lancashire and are now in Cumbria.
Crosby, Croxteth Hall, Kew Woods, Knowsley, Princes, Southport, St Helens and Sutton Manor were in historic Lancashire and are now in Merseyside.
Widnes was in historic Lancashire and is now in Cheshire.
Warrington is in Cheshire but the route cuts through a small part of Lancashire.
Centre Vale straddles the border of historic Lancashire and Yorkshire and has the start line in Lancashire but the course is mostly in West Yorkshire.

Cuerden Valley was a parkrun event in Lancashire but has now been permanently cancelled.

Numbers exclude 2k Junior parkruns and any events that are not open to the general public such as prisons or armed forces facilities.

All of the Lancashire parkrun events …

Below are each of the Lancashire 5k parkrun events in alphabetical order. A few things to note:

The interactive maps below take you to the approximate location for the course, typically the centre of the park. See the course instructions in the parkrun page for each event for specific directions to the start.
Course maps and elevation profiles show the route at the time that I ran it and may have changed since then. See the Course page in the event’s page on parkrun.org.uk for the current course outline. Note that course outlines are from Garmin data during a specific run and may vary from the officially measured distance.
Please contact me if you spot an event that doesn’t have a course map and elevation profile and you would like to donate one from your own run. I’m also interested in maps and elevation profiles for courses that have changed or where there’s a regular alternative route (e.g. Horsham). I’ll need a GPX file from your run plus the date. I’ll include a credit for you and will donate £1 to parkrun.

Blackpool

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Lancashire
Present Day County: Lancashire
Inaugural: 4th February 2017
Links: Event Page, Course Page

Burnley

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Lancashire
Present Day County: Lancashire
Inaugural: 2nd June 2012
Links: Event Page, Course Page

Clitheroe Castle

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Lancashire
Present Day County: Lancashire
Inaugural: 19th May 2018
Links: Event Page, Course Page

Cuerden Valley

This parkrun event has been permanently cancelled. I did not complete this event before it was closed.
Historic County: Lancashire
Present Day County: Lancashire
Inaugural: August 10th 2013. Final event: #329 on March 14th 2020
Reason for cancellation: Due to financial struggles and a belief by the Cuerden Valley Trust that parkrun, a national organization, should contribute financially to the park's upkeep.
Replaced by: many of the core team moved to Worden
Links: Event Home Page

Fleetwood Promenade

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Lancashire
Present Day County: Lancashire
Inaugural: 4th August 2018
Links: Event Page, Course Page

Hyndburn

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Lancashire
Present Day County: Lancashire
Inaugural: 21st October 2017
Links: Event Page, Course Page

Lancaster

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Lancashire
Present Day County: Lancashire
Inaugural: 9th January 2016
Links: Event Page, Course Page

Lytham Hall

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Lancashire
Present Day County: Lancashire
Inaugural: 28th November 2015
Links: Event Page, Course Page

Morecambe Prom

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Lancashire
Present Day County: Lancashire
Links: Event Page, Course Page
Links: Morecambe Prom, Course

Ormskirk

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Lancashire
Present Day County: Lancashire
Inaugural: 29th March 2014
Links: Event Page, Course Page

Pendle

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Lancashire
Present Day County: Lancashire
Inaugural: 10th May 2014
Links: Event Page, Course Page

Preston

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Lancashire
Present Day County: Lancashire
Inaugural: 12th May 2012
Links: Event Page, Course Page

Tawd Valley

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Lancashire
Present Day County: Lancashire
Inaugural: 27th July 2019
Links: Event Page, Course Page

Witton

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Lancashire
Present Day County: Lancashire
Inaugural: 29th August 2015
Links: Event Page, Course Page

Worden

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Lancashire
Present Day County: Lancashire
Inaugural: 14th October 2023
Links: Event Page, Course Page

Completing all Cumbria parkruns

There are currently 18 parkrun events in the present-day county of Cumbria, of which I have completed 1. The first was Barrow, which started on 24th September 2011 and the newest is Grizedale Forest which started on 17th October 2026. The name for having completed all parkrun events in the county is “Done-bria”.

The present-day / ceremonial county of Cumbria replaced the historic counties of Cumberland and Westmorland and the Furness area of Lancashire.

Barrow, Fell Foot. Ford and Grizedale Forest were in historic Lancashire and are now in Cumbria.
Rothay Park was in historic Westmorland and is now in Cumbria.
All other Cumbria parkrun events were in the historic county of Cumberland.

Numbers exclude 2k Junior parkruns and any events that are not open to the general public such as prisons or armed forces facilities.

All of the Cumbria parkrun events …

Below are each of the Cumbria 5k parkrun events in alphabetical order. A few things to note:

The interactive maps below take you to the approximate location for the course, typically the centre of the park. See the course instructions in the parkrun page for each event for specific directions to the start.
Course maps and elevation profiles show the route at the time that I ran it and may have changed since then. See the Course page in the event’s page on parkrun.org.uk for the current course outline. Note that course outlines are from Garmin data during a specific run and may vary from the officially measured distance.
Please contact me if you spot an event that doesn’t have a course map and elevation profile and you would like to donate one from your own run. I’m also interested in maps and elevation profiles for courses that have changed or where there’s a regular alternative route (e.g. Horsham). I’ll need a GPX file from your run plus the date. I’ll include a credit for you and will donate £1 to parkrun.

Barrow

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Lancashire
Ceremonial County: Cumbria
Inaugural: 24th September 2011
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Bower Park

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Cumberland
Ceremonial County: Cumbria
Inaugural: September 4th 2021
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Carlisle

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Cumberland
Ceremonial County: Cumbria
Inaugural: 19th January 2013
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Cockermouth Greenway

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Cumberland
Ceremonial County: Cumbria
Inaugural: 9th November 2024
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Fell Foot

I completed this event on: June 9th 2018 with a finish time of: 25:17
Historic County: Lancashire
Ceremonial County: Cumbria
Other routes touched (walk): Fell Foot Circular Heritage Trail
Inaugural: 18th October 2014
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Ford

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Lancashire
Ceremonial County: Cumbria
Inaugural: 11th August 2018
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Grizedale Forest

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Lancashire
Ceremonial County: Cumbria
Inaugural: 17th October 2026
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Keswick

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Cumberland
Ceremonial County: Cumbria
Inaugural: 5th April 2014
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Maryport Prom

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Cumberland
Ceremonial County: Cumbria
Inaugural: 29th October 2022
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Millom

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Cumberland
Ceremonial County: Cumbria
Inaugural: 17th December 2016
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Muncaster Castle

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Cumberland
Ceremonial County: Cumbria
Inaugural: 16th September 2023
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Penrith

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Cumberland
Ceremonial County: Cumbria
Inaugural: 8th February 2014
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Rothay Park

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Westmorland
Ceremonial County: Cumbria
Inaugural: 25th January 2020
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Silloth Promenade

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Cumberland
Ceremonial County: Cumbria
Inaugural: [Date unconfirmed: please insert]
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Talkin Tarn Country Park

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Cumberland
Ceremonial County: Cumbria
Inaugural: [Date unconfirmed: please insert]
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Whinlatter Forest

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Cumberland
Ceremonial County: Cumbria
Inaugural: 13th January 2018
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Whitehaven

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Cumberland
Ceremonial County: Cumbria
Inaugural: 30th June 2018
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Workington

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Cumberland
Ceremonial County: Cumbria
Inaugural: 22nd June 2013
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Completing all Cheshire parkruns

There are currently 13 parkrun events in the present-day county of Cheshire, of which I have completed 1. The first was Congleton parkrun which started on 15th December 2012 and the newest is Alderley Park parkrun which started on 14th March 2020. The name for having completed all parkrun events in the county is “The Cheshire Set”.

The present-day / ceremonial county of Cheshire is smaller than the historic county of the same name. Several Cheshire parkrun events fall into different historic and ceremonial counties:

Birkenhead and Brimstage were in historic Cheshire and is now in Merseyside.
Widnes was in historic Lancashire and is now in Cheshire.
Bramhall Park, Cheadle Hulme, Hyde, Marple, Sale Water, Woodbank and Wythenshawe were in historic Cheshire and are now in Greater Manchester.
Fletcher Moss was in historic Lancashire and is now in Greater Manchester but a small part of the course crosses into present-day Cheshire.

Numbers exclude 2k Junior parkruns and any events that are not open to the general public such as prisons or armed forces facilities.

All of the Cheshire parkrun events …

Below are each of the Cheshire 5k parkrun events in alphabetical order. A few things to note:

The interactive maps below take you to the approximate location for the course, typically the centre of the park. See the course instructions in the parkrun page for each event for specific directions to the start.
Course maps and elevation profiles show the route at the time that I ran it and may have changed since then. See the Course page in the event’s page on parkrun.org.uk for the current course outline. Note that course outlines are from Garmin data during a specific run and may vary from the officially measured distance.
Please contact me if you spot an event that doesn’t have a course map and elevation profile and you would like to donate one from your own run. I’m also interested in maps and elevation profiles for courses that have changed or where there’s a regular alternative route (e.g. Horsham). I’ll need a GPX file from your run plus the date. I’ll include a credit for you and will donate £1 to parkrun.

Alderley Park

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Cheshire
Ceremonial County: Cheshire
Inaugural: 14th March 2020
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Chester

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Cheshire
Ceremonial County: Cheshire
Inaugural: 9th July 2016
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Congleton

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Cheshire
Ceremonial County: Cheshire
Inaugural: 15th December 2012
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Crewe

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Cheshire
Ceremonial County: Cheshire
Inaugural: 17th February 2018
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Delamere

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Cheshire
Ceremonial County: Cheshire
Inaugural: 2nd March 2013
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Ellesmere Port

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Cheshire
Ceremonial County: Cheshire
Inaugural: 18th October 2014
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Lyme Park

I completed this event on: September 23rd 2017 with a finish time of: 29:39
Historic County: Cheshire
Ceremonial County: Cheshire
Other routes touched (walk): North Cheshire Way, GM Ringway, Gritstone Trail, Lyme Walks: A Walk to the Cage / A Walk to the Lantern / Paddock Cottage Walk
Inaugural: 22nd February 2014
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Macclesfield

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Cheshire
Ceremonial County: Cheshire
Inaugural: 28th April 2018
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Northwich

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Cheshire
Ceremonial County: Cheshire
This event is also part of parkrun Compass Club
Inaugural: 17th March 2018
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Phoenix

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Cheshire
Ceremonial County: Cheshire
Inaugural: 24th February 2018
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Warrington

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Lancashire / Cheshire
Ceremonial County: Cheshire
Inaugural: 25th January 2014
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Widnes

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Lancashire
Ceremonial County: Cheshire
Inaugural: 31st January 2015
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Wilmslow

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Cheshire
Ceremonial County: Cheshire
Inaugural: 11th April 2015
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Cycling The NCN 51 from Milton Keynes to Oxford

Cycling the NCN 51 in the countryside near Kidlington — Near Kidlington

Start: Milton Keynes Central Railway Station, Phoenix House, Milton Keynes, MK9 1AW
Finish: Oxford Station, Park End Street, Oxford OX1 1HS
Distance: 73 km (45 miles)
Elevation change: +338 / -367m (-29m)
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Milton Keynes Boundary Walk, Cross Bucks Way, Midshires Way, Brentwood Jubilee Way, Langford Heath Route, Oxfordshire Way, Oxford Green Belt Way, Kidlington Circular Walk, Oxford Canal Walk
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 5, 50, 51, Milton Keynes Redways: V2, H8, National Byway
Pubs / Cafes on route: Several. We stopped a Legends in Winslow (17 km in), Twyford Village Stores and Coffee Shop (31 km in) and The Bell, Hampton Poyle (58 km in)
Millennium Mileposts: 574, 575, 271, 533, 534, 536, 576, 272, 273, 535
Maps:
- Buckingham & Milton Keynes Map | Leighton Buzzard & Woburn | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 192
- Banbury, Bicester & Chipping Norton Map | Brackley | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 191
- Oxford Map | Witney & Woodstock | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 180
Links: Milton Keynes, Winslow, Middle Claydon, Steeple Claydon, Twyford, Bicester, Bletchingdon, Kidlington, Oxford

This ride was the next in our series of cycling the National Cycle Network routes in the south-east of England. We have been tackling these as short, one-day sections. It was also a brilliant chance to bag a number of Millennium Mileposts, as this section of the NCN 51 started out with a remarkably rich seam of them.

Ideally, we would have used the train to get between Oxford and Milton Keynes to start the ride. Sadly, the East West Railway line, affectionately known as the old Varsity Line, is still not open for passenger services.

That would have been perfect because we could have parked at Oxford, caught the train to Milton Keynes, and then simply cycled back. As it happened, we had to rely on a two-car shuffle. This meant meeting at Oxford, parking one car there, loading the bikes into the other car, driving to Milton Keynes, parking there, and then cycling back to Oxford. After the ride, we had to do the reverse to pick up the car in Milton Keynes. It added an extra couple of hours to the trip, but it was absolutely worth it. We were eager to get this route done, and we genuinely didn't know how long it would be until the new railway line finally opens to passengers.

Since we spent so much time criss-crossing and riding near the railway line, I thought I would look up the history of it.

The original Varsity Line passenger service was withdrawn on the January 1st 1968. At the time, receipts were only half the operational costs, making it uneconomical to run. While many associate the railway closures of that era with the Beeching cuts, the decision to withdraw services along this specific line was actually taken by Tom Fraser, the Minister of Transport. Over time, it became a disused railway, and the national cycle route now runs close to it and crosses it quite a few times.

Nowadays, there is a major project underway to reopen the line as the East West Rail, which will eventually link Oxford, Milton Keynes, Bedford, and Cambridge. The line is being built on the old Varsity Line corridor. The section between Oxford and Milton Keynes has been rebuilt with new track, bridges, and signalling, and was officially handed over to Network Rail in December 2024.

However, if you are wondering why we couldn't just hop on a train, there is conflicting information online about the actual opening date. Some sources state that the Oxford to Milton Keynes section was originally set to open in 2025, while others now indicate that services might not start until December 2026. A significant reason for the delay is a dispute with rail unions over a proposal for driver-only operation. There have also been delays attributed to the need to complete train preparation, staff training, and final works at the new Winslow station.

So, for now, the two-car shuffle was our best option!

We set off from Milton Keynes, immediately hitting that rich seam of Millennium Mileposts I mentioned earlier. We were ticking them off rapidly as we navigated the lakes and green spaces of MK, passing the Teardrop Lakes and Furzton Lake.

As we pedalled further into the Buckinghamshire countryside, the route guided us towards the market town of Winslow. By this point, we were well due for a break and decided to stop at a cafe called Legends. To be perfectly honest, we chose it mostly because it was the only place open at the time, but it turned out to be a fantastic find. It has a lovely garden at the back which was easily accessible for our bikes, the staff were incredibly friendly, and they served up some great coffee and cake to keep our energy levels up.

Back on the route, we passed through picturesque villages like Middle Claydon, continuing our successful milepost hunt. However, just after passing through Steeple Claydon, we got into HS2 construction territory. We quickly found that a short section of the cycle route was closed, forcing us to take a diversion. We ended up doing a roughly 5 km loop that effectively added about 4 km to our total mileage for the day.

It is worth noting for any cyclists planning to do this route: until the HS2 construction works are fully complete, there is likely to be some disruption along the way. I'd highly recommend either planning for it in advance or just assuming you will need to navigate around a diversion or two on the fly.

After making our way around the construction works, our next crucial target was the Twyford Cafe, located at a nearby campsite. We arrived by the skin of our teeth: just five minutes before they were due to close at 1 o'clock on a Sunday. Despite our late arrival, the staff were wonderfully accommodating and friendly. They kindly warmed up some pasties for us, which we took outside to eat after they had officially locked up the shop.

Setting off from Twyford with full stomachs, we noticed something a bit strange: after a fantastic run of Millennium Mileposts between Milton Keynes and Twyford, they completely dried up. We didn't spot a single one for the rest of the trip all the way into Oxford. I am not entirely sure why that is, but it seemed like a strange anomaly given how packed the first half of the route was with them.

As we finally approached the outskirts of Oxford, I was in the zone and ready to just power on to the very end of the route to finish it off. However, Brian had a much more sensible idea: it was a beautiful afternoon, so why not stop, enjoy the city, and get some proper food before we headed back?

We decided to try and find the Handlebar cycle cafe, a choice driven almost entirely by our amusement at its funny name. Unfortunately, when we got there, we discovered it was closed. Undeterred by this minor setback, we found a local pub instead, where a classic plate of fish and chips did the job perfectly before we began the logistical shuffle of getting ourselves and the bikes home.

The Millennium Mileposts

Dotting the UK's National Cycle Network are over 1,000 unique markers known as the Millennium Mileposts. Unveiled in 2000, these cast-iron sculptures are more than just waymarkers. Designed by four artists, one from each nation of the UK, they celebrate the diversity of the cycling routes. These artistic mileposts come in various shapes and can be found in both bustling towns and scenic landscapes, adding a touch of artistic charm to a cycling adventure.

Here are the 10 Millennium Mileposts that we spotted along the route.

MP574 - Teardrops Lakes, Loughton and Great Holm, Milton Keynes

MP575 - Furzton Lake, Milton Keynes

MP271 - Milton Keynes

MP533 - Queen Catherine Road, Middle Claydon, Aylesbury Vale, Buckinghamshire

MP534 - Near to Whaddon Road, Mursley, Aylesbury Vale, Buckinghamshire

MP536 - Buckinghamshire Oxfordshire border, NW of Bicester

MP576 - V2 Tattenhoe Street, Shenley Brook End, Far Bletchley, Milton Keynes

MP272 - Shipton, Winslow, Aylesbury Vale, Buckinghamshire

MP273 - Vicarage Road, Winslow, Aylesbury Vale, Buckinghamshire

MP535 - NE of Poundon

Back to Cycle Index

Richard gower 24/07/2026 Richard gower 24/07/2026

West Midlands Region parkruns

The parkrun Regionnaire status used to be a major part of parkrun tourism. Changes in the parkrun website in 2019 removed the regions making it harder to track completion status. All is not lost though as here’s the complete parkrun guide to what’s in and what’s out of the counties of the West Midlands.

The West Midlands is a diverse and geographically contrasting region of the UK, situated in the western half of central England, acting as a vital transport hub and sharing a long, scenic border with Wales. The region is composed of six ceremonial counties: Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire, and the West Midlands (a heavily urbanised ceremonial county sharing the region's name, formed from land previously belonging to the three historic counties of Staffordshire, Worcestershire, and Warwickshire).

Geographically, the West Midlands is characterised by its striking transition from industrial heartlands to rolling rural topography, most notably across the Shropshire Hills: a sweeping Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty spanning the Welsh Marches. It contains the dramatic, ancient ridge of the Malvern Hills (predominantly in Worcestershire and Herefordshire) and the sprawling, historic lowland heath of Cannock Chase. Landscapes across the region are varied, ranging from the rugged gritstone edges of the Staffordshire Moorlands to the extensive industrial canal networks of the Black Country and the lush, meandering valley of the River Severn.

parkrun event numbers per county

There are currently 51 parkrun events in the counties of the West Midlands region.

Notes and exceptions.

The West Midlands ceremonial county contains 16 parkrun events that were formerly in 3 historic counties: 7 Staffordshire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire.

The West Midlands Counties parkrun pages

Click on each of the images below to go to the page with details of the parkrun events for the county.

Completing all Worcestershire parkruns

There are currently 5 parkrun events in the present-day county of Worcestershire, of which I have completed 3. The first was Worcester which started on 18th June 2011 and the newest is Worcester Pitchcroft which started on 5th May 2018. I’m not aware of a County Completion Name for Worcestershire but let me know in the comments if you have one.

4 parkrun events that were formerly in the historic county of Worcestershire are now in the ceremonial county of West Midlands. These are: Cannon Hill, Cofton Park, Oaklands and Woodgate Valley Country Park.

3 parkrun events in Worcestershire have now been permanently cancelled. These are: Churchfields Farm, Hanbury Hall and Wythall.

Numbers exclude 2k Junior parkruns and any events that are not open to the general public such as prisons or armed forces facilities.

All of the Worcestershire parkrun events …

Below are each of the Worcestershire 5k parkrun events in alphabetical order. A few things to note:

The interactive maps below take you to the approximate location for the course, typically the centre of the park. See the course instructions in the parkrun page for each event for specific directions to the start.
Course maps and elevation profiles show the route at the time that I ran it and may have changed since then. See the Course page in the event’s page on parkrun.org.uk for the current course outline. Note that course outlines are from Garmin data during a specific run and may vary from the officially measured distance.
Please contact me if you spot an event that doesn’t have a course map and elevation profile and you would like to donate one from your own run. I’m also interested in maps and elevation profiles for courses that have changed or where there’s a regular alternative route (e.g. Horsham). I’ll need a GPX file from your run plus the date. I’ll include a credit for you and will donate £1 to parkrun.

Arrow Valley

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Worcestershire
Ceremonial County: Worcestershire
Inaugural: 14th July 2012
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Churchfields Farm

This parkrun event has been permanently cancelled. I did not complete this event before it was closed.
Historic County: Worcestershire
Ceremonial County: Worcestershire
Inaugural: December 29th 2018. Final event: #41 on October 19th 2019
Reason for cancellation: Churchfields farm business model changed after Covid with an increase in weddings and other events which bought them more money than parkrun. The increase in numbers that this bought meant they could no longer accommodate parkrun. In addition in winter prior to the pandemic the underfoot conditions with it being on a working farm meant it had not run for much of it either
Links: Event Home Page

Evesham

I completed this event on: June 11th 2022 with a finish time of: 26:15
Historic County: Worcestershire
Ceremonial County: Worcestershire
Other routes touched (walk): Shakespeare’s Avon Way
Inaugural: 21st March 2015
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Hanbury Hall

This parkrun event has been permanently cancelled. I did not complete this event before it was closed.
Historic County: Worcestershire
Ceremonial County: Worcestershire
Inaugural: July 2nd 2016. Final event: #26 on December 31st 2016
Reason for cancellation: Its paths and terrain weren't suitable for the large numbers of runners, with concerns about safety on muddy, uneven ground, especially as it wasn't a public park.
Links: Event Home Page

Worcester

I completed this event on: April 19th 2014 with a finish time of: 23:12
Historic County: Worcestershire
Ceremonial County: Worcestershire
Other routes touched (walk): Wild About Worcester Way
Inaugural: 18th June 2011
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Worcester Pitchcroft

I completed this event on: July 27th 2024 with a finish time of: 27:36
Historic County: Worcestershire
Ceremonial County: Worcestershire
Other routes touched (walk): Wild About Worcester Way
Other routes touched (walk): NCN 46
Inaugural: 5th May 2018
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Wythall

This parkrun event has been permanently cancelled. I did not complete this event before it was closed.
Historic County: Worcestershire
Ceremonial County: Worcestershire
Inaugural: September 16th 2017. Final event: #1 on September 16th 2017
Reason for cancellation: “Wythall Park Community Association have voted against allowing parkrun to continue at their venue, as it "would suffer disproportionate damage".”
Links: Event Home Page

Wyre Forest

I completed this event on: November 28th 2015 with a finish time of: 26:13
Historic County: Worcestershire
Ceremonial County: Worcestershire
Inaugural: 29th August 2015
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Completing all West Midlands parkruns

There are currently 17 parkrun events in the present-day county of West Midlands, of which I have completed 1. The first was Coventry which started on 6th February 2010 and the newest is Cofton Park which started on 8th August 2026. The name for having completed all parkrun events in the county is “West Didlands”.

Numbers exclude 2k Junior parkruns and any events that are not open to the general public such as prisons or armed forces facilities.

All of the West Midlands parkrun events …

Below are each of the West Midlands 5k parkrun events in alphabetical order. A few things to note:

The interactive maps below take you to the approximate location for the course, typically the centre of the park. See the course instructions in the parkrun page for each event for specific directions to the start.
Course maps and elevation profiles show the route at the time that I ran it and may have changed since then. See the Course page in the event’s page on parkrun.org.uk for the current course outline. Note that course outlines are from Garmin data during a specific run and may vary from the officially measured distance.
Please contact me if you spot an event that doesn’t have a course map and elevation profile and you would like to donate one from your own run. I’m also interested in maps and elevation profiles for courses that have changed or where there’s a regular alternative route (e.g. Horsham). I’ll need a GPX file from your run plus the date. I’ll include a credit for you and will donate £1 to parkrun.

Aston Hall

This parkrun event has been permanently cancelled. I did not complete this event before it was closed.
Historic County: Warwickshire
Ceremonial County: West Midlands
Inaugural: October 14th 2023. Final event: #34 on August 24th 2024
Reason for cancellation: Due a lack of core team. The local football club foundation had invested heavily into the event and made commitments in the process which were then never fully fulfilled. Unfortunately, there is no nearby running club and the local community also didn’t embrace the arrival of parkrun. This meant despite lots of effort by the ambassadors and local other parkruns no core team was ever built and most runners each week were tourists being no regular volunteer base could be established.
Links: Event Home Page

Babbs Mill

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Warwickshire
Ceremonial County: West Midlands
Inaugural: 3rd August 2019
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Brueton

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Warwickshire
Ceremonial County: West Midlands
Inaugural: 24th July 2010
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Brunswick Park

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Staffordshire
Ceremonial County: West Midlands
Inaugural: 1st January 2022
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Cannon Hill

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Worcestershire
Ceremonial County: West Midlands
Inaugural: 28th August 2010
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Cofton Park

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Worcestershire
Ceremonial County: West Midlands
Inaugural: 8th August 2026
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Coventry

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Warwickshire
Ceremonial County: West Midlands
Inaugural: 6th February 2010
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Dudley

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Staffordshire
Ceremonial County: West Midlands
Inaugural: 4th November 2017
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

East Park

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Staffordshire
Ceremonial County: West Midlands
This event is also part of parkrun Compass Club
Inaugural: 9th November 2019
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Edgbaston Reservoir

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Warwickshire
Ceremonial County: West Midlands
Inaugural: 14th August 2021
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Holbrooks

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Warwickshire
Ceremonial County: West Midlands
Inaugural: 5th August 2023
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Oaklands

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Worcestershire
Ceremonial County: West Midlands
Inaugural: 9th November 2019
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Perry Hall

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Staffordshire
Ceremonial County: West Midlands
Inaugural: 22nd November 2014
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Sandwell Valley

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Staffordshire
Ceremonial County: West Midlands
Inaugural: 23rd December 2017
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Sutton Park

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Warwickshire
Ceremonial County: West Midlands
Inaugural: 18th August 2018
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Walsall Arboretum

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Staffordshire
Ceremonial County: West Midlands
Inaugural: 10th March 2012
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Wolverhampton

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Staffordshire
Ceremonial County: West Midlands
Inaugural: 9th February 2013
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Woodgate Valley Country Park

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Worcestershire
Ceremonial County: West Midlands
Inaugural: 7th August 2021
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Completing all Staffordshire parkruns

There are currently 13 parkrun events in the present-day county of Staffordshire, of which I have not yet completed any. The first was Hanley parkrun which started on 24th September 2011 and the newest is Vale Park, Burslem parkrun which started on 11th July 2026. The name for having completed all parkrun events in the county is “Fully Staffed”.

7 parkrun events that were formerly in the historic county of Staffordshire are now in the ceremonial county of West Midlands. These are: Brunswick Park, Dudley, East Park, Perry Hall, Sandwell Valley, Walsall Arboretum and Wolverhampton.

Numbers exclude 2k Junior parkruns and any events that are not open to the general public such as prisons or armed forces facilities.

A map of all parkrun events in the county of Staffordshire

All of the Staffordshire parkrun events …

Below are each of the Staffordshire 5k parkrun events in alphabetical order. A few things to note:

The interactive maps below take you to the approximate location for the course, typically the centre of the park. See the course instructions in the parkrun page for each event for specific directions to the start.
Course maps and elevation profiles show the route at the time that I ran it and may have changed since then. See the Course page in the event’s page on parkrun.org.uk for the current course outline. Note that course outlines are from Garmin data during a specific run and may vary from the officially measured distance.
Please contact me if you spot an event that doesn’t have a course map and elevation profile and you would like to donate one from your own run. I’m also interested in maps and elevation profiles for courses that have changed or where there’s a regular alternative route (e.g. Horsham). I’ll need a GPX file from your run plus the date. I’ll include a credit for you and will donate £1 to parkrun.

Battlestead Croft

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Staffordshire
Ceremonial County: Staffordshire
Inaugural: 9th December 2023
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Beacon

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Staffordshire
Ceremonial County: Staffordshire
Inaugural: 18th January 2020
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Birchall Playing Fields

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Staffordshire
Ceremonial County: Staffordshire
Inaugural: 14th December 2024
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Bramshall Road

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Staffordshire
Ceremonial County: Staffordshire
Inaugural: 28th May 2022
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Cannock Chase

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Staffordshire
Ceremonial County: Staffordshire
Inaugural: 19th November 2016
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Chasewater

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Staffordshire
Ceremonial County: Staffordshire
Inaugural: 15th June 2019
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Hanley

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Staffordshire
Ceremonial County: Staffordshire
Inaugural: 24th September 2011
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Isabel Trail

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Staffordshire
Ceremonial County: Staffordshire
Inaugural: 8th December 2018
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Perton Playing Fields

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Staffordshire
Ceremonial County: Staffordshire
Inaugural: 29th November 2025
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Tamworth Castle Grounds

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Staffordshire
Ceremonial County: Staffordshire
While the town of Tamworth is historically divided between Staffordshire and Warwickshire, the Castle Grounds themselves traditionally fall within the historic county borders of Warwickshire but the parkrun course is within the ceremonial county of Tamworth.
Inaugural: 14th October 2023
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

The Wammy

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Staffordshire
Ceremonial County: Staffordshire
Inaugural: 24th March 2018
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Trentham Gardens

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Staffordshire
Ceremonial County: Staffordshire
Inaugural: 5th February 2022
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Vale Park, Burslem

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Staffordshire
Ceremonial County: Staffordshire
Inaugural: 11th July 2026
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Completing all Shropshire parkruns

There are currently 6 parkrun events in the present-day county of Shropshire, of which I have completed 1. The first was Telford which started on 16th February 2013 and the newest is Haughmond Hill which started on 6th September 2025. I’m not aware of a County Completion Name for Shropshire but let me know in the comments if you have one.

Numbers exclude 2k Junior parkruns and any events that are not open to the general public such as prisons or armed forces facilities.

A map of all parkrun events in the county of Shropshire

All of the Shropshire parkrun events …

Below are each of the Shropshire 5k parkrun events in alphabetical order. A few things to note:

The interactive maps below take you to the approximate location for the course, typically the centre of the park. See the course instructions in the parkrun page for each event for specific directions to the start.
Course maps and elevation profiles show the route at the time that I ran it and may have changed since then. See the Course page in the event’s page on parkrun.org.uk for the current course outline. Note that course outlines are from Garmin data during a specific run and may vary from the officially measured distance.
Please contact me if you spot an event that doesn’t have a course map and elevation profile and you would like to donate one from your own run. I’m also interested in maps and elevation profiles for courses that have changed or where there’s a regular alternative route (e.g. Horsham). I’ll need a GPX file from your run plus the date. I’ll include a credit for you and will donate £1 to parkrun.

Alderford Lake

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Shropshire
Ceremonial County: Shropshire
Inaugural: 31st August 2019
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Haughmond Hill

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Shropshire
Ceremonial County: Shropshire
Inaugural: 6th September 2025
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Henley Wood, Oswestry

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Shropshire
Ceremonial County: Shropshire
This event is also part of parkrun Compass Club
Inaugural: 20th October 2018
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Severn Valley Country

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Shropshire
Ceremonial County: Shropshire
Inaugural: 20th July 2019
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Shrewsbury

I completed this event on: January 2nd 2016 with a finish time of: 24:53
Historic County: Shropshire
Ceremonial County: Shropshire
Other routes touched (walk): Severn Way Source to Shrewsbury
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 81
Inaugural: 28th September 2013
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Telford

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Shropshire
Ceremonial County: Shropshire
Inaugural: 16th February 2013
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Completing all Herefordshire parkruns

There are currently 4 parkrun events in the present-day county of Herefordshire, of which I have completed 1. The first was Hereford which started on 11th October 2014 and the newest is Queenswood Country Park which started on 29th November 2025. I’m not aware of a County Completion Name for Herefordshire but let me know in the comments if you have one.

Numbers exclude 2k Junior parkruns and any events that are not open to the general public such as prisons or armed forces facilities.

All of the Herefordshire parkrun events …

Below are each of the Herefordshire 5k parkrun events in alphabetical order. A few things to note:

The interactive maps below take you to the approximate location for the course, typically the centre of the park. See the course instructions in the parkrun page for each event for specific directions to the start.
Course maps and elevation profiles show the route at the time that I ran it and may have changed since then. See the Course page in the event’s page on parkrun.org.uk for the current course outline. Note that course outlines are from Garmin data during a specific run and may vary from the officially measured distance.
Please contact me if you spot an event that doesn’t have a course map and elevation profile and you would like to donate one from your own run. I’m also interested in maps and elevation profiles for courses that have changed or where there’s a regular alternative route (e.g. Horsham). I’ll need a GPX file from your run plus the date. I’ll include a credit for you and will donate £1 to parkrun.

Hereford

I completed this event on: 11th July 2015 with a finish time of: 26:06
Historic County: Herefordshire
Ceremonial County: Herefordshire
Inaugural: 11th October 2014
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
My GPX file didn’t save that day so I don’t have a course map or elevation chart. Let me know if you have one.

Mortimer Forest

I have not yet completed this event
Original name: Ludlow. The venue was never actually in or near the town of Ludlow (it is roughly three miles away). Organisers felt the new name better reflected the trails and scenery where the event is held.
Historic County: Herefordshire.
Ceremonial County: Herefordshire.
Ludlow town is in Shropshire but the parkrun is across the border in Herefordshire.
Inaugural: 13th February 2016
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Queenswood Country Park

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Herefordshire
Ceremonial County: Herefordshire
Inaugural: 29th November 2025
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Ross-on-Wye

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Herefordshire
Ceremonial County: Herefordshire
Inaugural: 3rd August 2019
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Running The Circle Line

The idea of navigating above-ground trips along the London Underground lines is not exactly new. Mark Mason's brilliant 2011 book, Walk the Lines, is perhaps the best example, and many other running geeks have also attempted them. Needing to escape the house and clear my head on a cold mid-December morning in 2016, I set off to conquer the Circle Line.

The Circle Line is a great starting point for above-ground Tube adventures. All the other lines have distant start and end points that stretch deep into the suburbs and require quite a bit more logistical planning. At just over a half marathon, tracing the Circle is an easy, self-contained half day adventure.

My start point was Marylebone Station. Although it is not actually on the Circle Line itself, it sits perfectly on the walking route between Edgware Road and Baker Street, which were my true start and end points. I set off clockwise with the strict aim of marking each station with a selfie. A quirky bit of history: when the classic loop first opened in 1884, it was operated by two fiercely rival companies, the Metropolitan and the District railways, who ran their steam trains in opposite directions!

The official distance of the tracks underground for the classic loop is 15 miles: worth noting for the transport geeks that I stuck to the historic loop rather than the modern "teacup" extension out to Hammersmith. However, the trains have the distinct advantage of cutting straight under buildings. Negotiating the streets, traffic lights, and pavements above ground adds at least another mile to the journey. Missing Temple station and having to run all the way back to it from Embankment added yet another mile on top of that. Don't do that.

Once I arrived back at Marylebone, I had covered just over 16 miles. At around three hours, it was certainly no Personal Best, but speed is not really something to be aimed for while dodging pedestrians on a working day in central London. It was a fun trip, though, and a highly satisfying way to link up some very familiar places across the capital.

10 years later …

Although back in 2016 I thought I had completed running the Circle Line, it was always in the back of my head that I hadn't really run the whole thing. I had missed the Hammersmith spur: the section that starts from Hammersmith and runs on elevated sections all the way through to Edgware Road and Paddington.

Back then, I kind of wrote that bit off because it's not really a circle: it's the added bit on the western side. But it was bugging me. So, on a very nice and warm Sunday morning, I decided to finally tie up that loose end. I caught the Tube over to Hammersmith station to start the run.

Leaving Hammersmith, I tried to stick as close as possible to the route of the above-ground track, which is shared by the District and Hammersmith & City lines. I did a mix of running and walking, and there were some incredibly pleasant parts, particularly around the Notting Hill and Ladbroke Grove areas.

If you are planning to attempt this western spur at a weekend, there are a few navigational tips to keep in mind:

Goldhawk Road to Shepherd's Bush: Just after Goldhawk Road, you might be tempted to go down Shepherd's Bush Market street. However, it is gated off at the weekends. Instead, you need to take Pennard Road: this runs parallel and is just a couple of hundred metres away from the main route.
Wood Lane and Westfield: After Wood Lane, you will find the Westfield Shopping Centre standing between you and Latimer Road. If you are there when it is open, you can actually cut right through the shopping centre to get onto Ariel Way and then cross over the West Cross Route, which is a very busy dual carriageway. Because I was there so early on a Sunday morning, the centre was closed, so I had to walk around it.

Once you are over the busy dual carriageway that leads out to the Westway, you are rewarded with some very pleasant running. The streets run near the railway at the north of Notting Hill and the south of North Kensington.

At Royal Oak, you cross over the railway and then head across the Westbourne Green open space. This brings you to the Grand Union Canal at Browning's Pool, where the water splits for the Paddington Arm of the Grand Union Canal and forks off to the Regent's Canal.

If you carry on along the Paddington Arm canal towards Paddington Basin, you will eventually end up right at the entrance to Paddington station, perfectly positioned by the Circle and Hammersmith & City line station. It was a brilliant way to conclude this part of the journey and finally put that unfinished business to rest.

The Main Loop

Start & Finish: Marylebone Station, Melcombe Place, Marylebone, London, NW1 6JJ
Distance: 24.7 km (15.3 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 190m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (Walk): Thames Path, Jubilee Walkway, River Fleet Walk, River Westbourne Walk, Jubilee Greenway
Other routes touched (Cycle): CS3, CS6
Maps:
- OS Explorer Map (161) London South, Westminster, Greenwich, Croydon, Esher & Twickenham
- OS Explorer Map (173) London North, The City, West End, Enfield, Ealing, Harrow & Watford

The Hammersmith Spur

Start & Finish: Hammersmith Station, Underground Ltd, Beadon Rd, London W6 7AA
Distance: 7.5 km (4.6 miles)
Elevation change: +48m / - 30m. Net +18m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (Walk): Jubilee Greenway, Grand Union Canal / Regents Canal Towpath
Other routes touched (Cycle): C27, C44
Map: OS Explorer Map (173) London North, The City, West End, Enfield, Ealing, Harrow & Watford

The Complete Circle Line Running Route

Richard Gower running the above-ground route of the London Underground Circle Line

UK Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies parkruns

The United Kingdom stretches far beyond the British Isles, encompassing a diverse array of lands with unique political statuses: British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies. While both are inextricably linked to the UK, they differ significantly in their governance. The 14 British Overseas Territories, such as Gibraltar and the Falkland Islands, are territories under the sovereignty of the UK but do not form part of the UK itself; they often rely on the UK for defense and foreign affairs but manage their own internal matters. Conversely, the three Crown Dependencies, the Isle of Man, the Bailiwick of Jersey, and the Bailiwick of Guernsey, are self-governing possessions of the British Crown, distinct from the UK and the British Overseas Territories, with their own legislative assemblies and legal systems. Both, however, share a surprising and delightful export: parkrun. In this post, we'll journey beyond the mainland to explore the unique, beautiful, and sometimes challenging parkruns hosted in these fascinating far-flung corners of the British Crown.

There are currently 3 parkrun events in Crown Dependencies: Nobles on the Isle of Man, and one each on Guernsey and Jersey.

There are currently 3 publicly accessible parkrun events in the British Overseas Territories: Cape Pembroke Lighthouse, Falkland islands; Gibraltar Botanical Gardens and Plantation Forest, St Helena.

A fourth British Overseas Territory event, Festival Green parkrun will start in the Cayman Islands in August 2026.

There are also 4 parkrun events on secure facilities which I have not listed in the blog post below. These are Mount Pleasant parkrun on the Falkland Islands and 3 secure events on the Akrotiri Sovereign Base Area on Cyprus.

Note that parkrun’s definition of regions can differ from the official government definitions. parkrun has a Falkland Islands region which is separate to their British Overseas Territories Region. Guernsey and Jersey are part of parkrun’s Channel Islands region which is separate to the Crown Dependencies region which includes Nobles. Nobles was originally part of the North West England parkrun region when it started.

All of the British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies parkrun events …

Below are each of the British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies 5k parkrun events in alphabetical order. A few things to note:

The interactive maps below take you to the approximate location for the course, typically the centre of the park. See the course instructions in the parkrun page for each event for specific directions to the start.
Course maps and elevation profiles show the route at the time that I ran it and may have changed since then. See the Course page in the event’s page on parkrun.org.uk for the current course outline. Note that course outlines are from Garmin data during a specific run and may vary from the officially measured distance.
Please contact me if you spot an event that doesn’t have a course map and elevation profile and you would like to donate one from your own run. I’m also interested in maps and elevation profiles for courses that have changed or where there’s a regular alternative route. I’ll need a GPX file from your run plus the date. I’ll include a credit for you and will donate £1 to parkrun.

Cape Pembroke Lighthouse

I have not yet completed this event
Territory: Falkland Islands
Government Categorisation: British Overseas Territory
parkrun Region: Falkland islands
Inaugural: October 26th 2019
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
Located at the easternmost point of the Falkland Islands, this historic lighthouse was built in 1855 and later automated. It offers sweeping views of the rugged South Atlantic coastline, providing a dramatic, windswept backdrop that is frequently visited by local marine life and seabirds.

Festival Green

This event is scheduled to start in August 2026
Territory: Cayman Islands
Government Categorisation: British Overseas Territory
parkrun Region: British Overseas Territories

Gibraltar Botanical Gardens

I have not yet completed this event
Territory: Gibraltar
Government Categorisation: British Overseas Territory
parkrun Region: British Overseas Territories
Inaugural: February 14th 2026
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
Also known as The Alameda, these lush gardens were opened in 1816. They combine vibrant Mediterranean and tropical flora with historic colonial architecture. Serving as a vital green lung for the territory, the gardens provide a striking and nature-filled environment for runners.

Guernsey

I completed this event on: June 16th 2018 with a finish time of: 25:58
Territory: Bailiwick of Guernsey
Government Categorisation: Crown Dependency
parkrun Region: Channel Islands
Other routes touched: N/A
Inaugural: April 9th 2016
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
Taking place at Pembroke Bay on the northern tip of the island, this gently undulating coastal route crosses L'Ancresse Common. The scenic grassy tracks offer runners spectacular sea views and pass by striking historical landmarks, including fascinating remnants of World War II German bunkers and traditional loophole towers built to defend the coastline.

Jersey

I completed this event on: June 10th 2017 with a finish time of: 27:53
Territory: Bailiwick of Jersey
Government Categorisation: Crown Dependency
parkrun Region: Channel Islands
Other routes touched (walk): Corbiere Railway Walk
Other routes touched (cycle): Jersey Cycle Route 1
Inaugural: September 26th 2015
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
Held at Les Quennevais Sports Centre in St Brelade, this route runs along the scenic Railway Walk, a popular tree-lined path following the route of the old Jersey Railway.

Nobles

I completed this event on: May 3rd 2025 with a finish time of: 27:08
Territory: Isle of Man
Government Categorisation: Crown Dependency
parkrun Region: Crown Dependencies
Other routes touched: N/A
Inaugural: October 21st 2017
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
Situated in Douglas, Nobles Park is deeply tied to the island's rich sporting history, most famously near the grandstand area for the TT Races. Its carefully manicured lawns and mature trees offer an expansive, traditional parkland setting for the local parkrun.

WhatsApp Image 2026-07-18 at 05.56.05.jpeg

Plantation Forest

I have not yet completed this event
Territory: Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha
Government Categorisation: British Overseas Territory
parkrun Region: British Overseas Territories
Inaugural: July 11th 2026
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page
Nestled in the remote South Atlantic, St Helena's Plantation Forest is renowned for its unique biodiversity and historical significance. It is located near Plantation House, the official residence of the Governor and home to Jonathan, a Seychelles giant tortoise who is the world's oldest known living land animal.

Ales & Trails Renegade 10k

When: July 12th 2026
Where: Renegade Brewery, The Old Dairy, Frilsham Farm, Yattendon, Thatcham, RG18 0XT
Organiser: Racing Line Running
Distance: 10 km
Elevation: +/- 172m
Course: Undulating trail route stasrting at Frilsham Farm with a 6.6 km loop around Greathouse Wood. A short section on country roads and a 1.7km spur at the start and end
Other routes touched (walk): The Roman Way
Finish time: 1 hour, 7 minutes, 12 seconds (Hot !)

Back to Run Index

Richard gower 11/07/2026 Richard gower 11/07/2026

Walking The Midshires Way Part 14: Bradwell Abbey and Linford Wood

Along the disused railway by Bradwell windmill

Start & Finish: Lodge Lake Car Park, Bradwell Road, Loughton Lodge, Great Holm, Milton Keynes, MK8 9LG
Distance: 11.6 km (7.2miles)
Elevation change: +/- 84m
Terrain: Predominantly flat, well-paved redways and shaded woodland paths suitable for most weather conditions.
Midshires Way section covered: Lodge Lake to Great Linford: 6.1 km
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Midshires Way, The Swan Way, Hanslope Circular Ride, Railway Walk
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 6, Milton Keynes Redways: H4, V6, V8, Millennium Circular Route
Pubs / Cafes on route: Costa Coffee (8.3 km in)
Map: Buckingham & Milton Keynes Map | Leighton Buzzard & Woburn | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 192
Links: Milton Keynes, Bradwell Abbey, Linford Wood, Milton Keynes redway system, Concrete Cows, Bancroft Roman Villa, Bradwell Windmill, Wolverton to Newport Pagnell Line, Grand Union Canal

Welcome to Part 14 of our series of short circular walks along the Buckinghamshire section of the Midshires Way. For a complete overview of the 225-mile trail's history, its connection to the Swan's Way, and preparation tips, please read my complete Midshires Way Through Buckinghamshire Guide.

Walking Directions

This relatively flat and accessible route takes you from the historic medieval grounds of Bradwell Abbey, winding through the city's unique redway network, and into the ancient greenery of Linford Wood. It is a fantastic mix of history and modern urban planning: offering plenty of shade and solid footing for year-round walking.

As you make your way northwards, you will cross under and over some of the major grid roads, highlighting how seamlessly nature is integrated into the city's design. The woods themselves are a haven for local wildlife, and if you are a fan of parkrun, you might recognise some of the paths as you loop through the trees before heading back towards your starting point.

The guidance below will help you navigate but don’t use it as a fully accurate turn-by-turn guide. Always take a map and/or a GPX route and prepare well for the weather and terrain.

Start your walk at the Lodge Lake car park: there is free parking here for approximately 20 cars. From the car park, head left to walk anti-clockwise around the beautiful lake in a north-westerly direction, picking up the Midshires Way.

Just before you reach Loughton Brook, take a right off the main lake path and head through the underpass beneath the Dansteed Way dual carriageway.
As you emerge from the underpass, cross the lovely small wooden footbridge over Loughton Brook and immediately turn right. This keeps you on the Midshires Way as it winds through Loughton Valley Linear Park.
Keep heading north with the brook on your right, passing under the A5 via another underpass, and continue on your north-westerly path.
At the 1.2-kilometre mark, you will hit a T-junction where you need to take a left. The official Midshires Way skirts around the boundary of Bradwell Abbey here, but I highly recommend taking a little shortcut through the abbey's nature trail. It is a fantastic spot to see the remains of the old abbey buildings and read the notice boards to soak up some local history.
Once you are on the northern side of the abbey, rejoin the Midshires Way heading north-east and cross under the main railway line.
When you meet Loughton Brook again, the path curves to the north. Keep following the Midshires Way north straight through the park until you reach the underpass for Miller's Way.
Head under Miller's Way and stick to the Midshires Way, which now puts you on the eastern side of the brook.
Just before the 4-kilometre mark, you will pass under the bridge of the old railway line that ran parallel to the Grand Union Canal. Walk under the bridge, take the ramp up onto it, and follow this old railway walk (which also doubles as a cycle route) in a north-westerly direction.
Keep an eye out on your right for the Bradwell Windmill: it is a brilliant spot to pause for some photos.
Stay on the Midshires Way along the disused railway line until just after the 6-kilometre mark. You will reach the Grand Union Canal and an old disused railway bridge. Do not cross this bridge! This is the point where we leave the Midshires Way to loop back towards the start.
Come off the bridge on the eastern side into an area known as the Quarry within Great Linford Manor Park.
Follow the path as it snakes down into St Leger Drive. Walk along the drive for about 100 metres, and just after Butler's Grove, take a right onto a footpath.
This path takes you through some quiet residential areas of Stantonbury and over a bridge crossing Marlborough Street.
You will soon meet another little stream: follow it down until you reach the underpass beneath Muck's Way.
Head through the underpass, and you will find a service area on the southern side with a McDonald's and a Costa Coffee. It is the perfect excuse for a quick tea break before tackling the small hill coming up!
Suitably refreshed, follow the path heading south up through the peaceful Linford Wood.
Emerge from the wood at Saxton Street. Cross over Saxton Street and Stanton Wood, then head under Dansteed Way to its southern side.
From here, it is a straightforward walk back: follow the path running parallel to the south side of Dansteed Way in a south-easterly direction.
Pass under Grafton Street via the underpass, keep on that south side of Dansteed Way, and it will lead you all the way back to your car at Lodge Lake.

Points of Interest along or near to the Route

Bradwell Abbey A scheduled ancient monument that was once a thriving medieval Benedictine priory. Today, only the small but historically significant Chapel of St Mary remains largely intact: featuring fascinating 14th-century wall paintings that are beautifully preserved.
Linford Wood An ancient woodland dating back at least 700 years, providing a vital green space within the Milton Keynes grid. It offers a dense canopy of oak and ash trees and features several public art installations scattered along its tranquil footpaths.
Milton Keynes Redways The extensive network of shared-use paths that crisscross the city. They provide safe, traffic-free routes for walkers and cyclists: uniquely integrating nature corridors and underpasses into the modern urban landscape.
Concrete Cows Created in 1978 by artist Liz Leyh and local schoolchildren, with subsequent repair work by Bill Billings, these iconic sculptures have become synonymous with Milton Keynes. While the original cows now reside at the Milton Keynes Museum, exact replicas stand at the original Bancroft site just off the redway network.
Bancroft Roman Villa This archaeological site preserves the foundations of an extensive Roman farming settlement and villa complex dating back to the late 1st century. Visitors can explore the outlined footprints of the ancient buildings and view interpretation boards detailing the history of the site: an excellent historical detour from the main path.
Bradwell Windmill Erected around 1814, this historic stone tower mill is a striking local landmark that was fully restored to working order in the late 20th century. It sits close to the canal and occasionally opens to the public during summer weekends: offering a fascinating glimpse into the area's agricultural past.
The Disused Railway Running adjacent to the canal in places, remnants of the old Wolverton to Newport Pagnell branch line can still be traced through the landscape. Much of this former railway trackbed has been cleverly repurposed by city planners: now serving as a wide, flat section of the modern redway system.
Grand Union Canal Serving as a major artery of the British waterway network, this historic canal provides a scenic, tranquil corridor through the heart of Milton Keynes. The towpaths offer a pleasant waterside alternative to the paved redways: complete with colourful narrowboats and abundant aquatic wildlife.

Midshires Way previous section (south): Oakhill and Loughton

Midshires Way next section (north): Stantonbury Lake and Little Linford

Midshires Way through Buckinghamshire Guide

Trek Index

Richard gower 09/07/2026 Richard gower 09/07/2026

East Midlands parkruns

The East Midlands is a varied and centrally positioned region of England, lying at the heart of the country and forming an important geographic and economic link between the north and south. It comprises six ceremonial counties—Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire (excluding the northern unitary authorities of North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire), Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, and Rutland.

Its landscapes are defined by striking contrasts. In the north, the Peak District rises in a sweep of rugged gritstone edges, moorland plateaus, and deep valleys, forming one of Britain’s most celebrated upland national parks. Nottinghamshire is home to the ancient oak woodlands of Sherwood Forest, long associated with folklore and now protected for their ecological and cultural significance. To the south, Rutland Water stands as one of Europe’s largest man‑made reservoirs and an internationally important wetland habitat.

Across the wider region, the scenery shifts from the broad, meandering valley of the River Trent to the volcanic outcrops and wooded hills of Charnwood Forest. Lincolnshire contributes some of the country’s most extensive agricultural landscapes, stretching out to a coastline of wide sandy beaches and low‑lying coastal plains.

Together, these elements create a region of remarkable diversity—rich in natural beauty, deep in history, and shaped by the varied terrains that define the centre of England.

parkrun event numbers per county

There are currently 66 parkrun events in the present-day counties of the East Midlands region. The Historic Counties, prior to the various boundary changes had a further 8 events.

Notes and exceptions.

Numbers of event above exclude prison parkruns and permanently cancelled events.
Market Harborough was in the historic county of Northamptonshire but is in the present-day county of Leicestershire.
6 parkrun events in the north of Lincolnshire are in the Yorkshire and the Humber region.
2 parkrun events, Graves and Rother Valley, were in the historic county of Derbyshire but are now in South Yorkshire in the Yorkshire and the Humber Region.
Events that are in the Yorkshire and the Humber region are highlighted in yellow in the table above.

The East Midlands Counties parkrun pages

Click on each of the images below to go to the page with details of the parkrun events for the county.

Completing all Lincolnshire parkruns

There are currently 15 parkrun events in the present-day county of Lincolnshire, of which I have not yet completed any. The first was Scunthorpe which started on 23rd February 2013 and the newest is Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School, which started on 22nd March 2025. The name for having completed all parkrun events in the county is “No missing Lincs”.

Most of Lincolnshire is in the East Midlands Region, however the most northerly 6 parkrun events are in the Yorkshire and the Humber region.

Numbers exclude 2k Junior parkruns and any events that are not open to the general public such as prisons or armed forces facilities.

All of the Lincolnshire parkrun events …

Below are each of the Lincolnshire 5k parkrun events in alphabetical order. A few things to note:

The interactive maps below take you to the approximate location for the course, typically the centre of the park. See the course instructions in the parkrun page for each event for specific directions to the start.
Course maps and elevation profiles show the route at the time that I ran it and may have changed since then. See the Course page in the event’s page on parkrun.org.uk for the current course outline. Note that course outlines are from Garmin data during a specific run and may vary from the officially measured distance.
Please contact me if you spot an event that doesn’t have a course map and elevation profile and you would like to donate one from your own run. I’m also interested in maps and elevation profiles for courses that have changed or where there’s a regular alternative route (e.g. Horsham). I’ll need a GPX file from your run plus the date. I’ll include a credit for you and will donate £1 to parkrun.

Ancholme Valley Way

I have not yet completed this event
Region: Yorkshire and the Humber
Historic County: Lincolnshire
Ceremonial County: Lincolnshire
Inaugural: 5th February 2022
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Baysgarth Park

I have not yet completed this event
Region: Yorkshire and the Humber
Historic County: Lincolnshire
Ceremonial County: Lincolnshire
Inaugural: 30th September 2023
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Belton House

I have not yet completed this event
Region: East Midlands
Historic County: Lincolnshire
Ceremonial County: Lincolnshire
Inaugural: 7th November 2015
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Boston

I have not yet completed this event
Region: East Midlands
Historic County: Lincolnshire
Ceremonial County: Lincolnshire
Inaugural: 24th October 2015
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Cleethorpes

I have not yet completed this event
Region: Yorkshire and the Humber
Historic County: Lincolnshire
Ceremonial County: Lincolnshire
Inaugural: 24th May 2014
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Doddington Hall

I have not yet completed this event
Region: East Midlands
Historic County: Lincolnshire
Ceremonial County: Lincolnshire
Inaugural: 25th January 2020
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Epworth Equestrian

This parkrun event has been permanently cancelled. I did not complete this event before it was closed.
Region: Yorkshire and the Humber
Historic County: Lincolnshire
Ceremonial County: Lincolnshire
Inaugural: July 29th 2023. Final event: #59 on October 12th 2024
Reason for cancellation: Due to low café usage.
Replaced by: Vermuyden Way
Links: Event Home Page

Gainsborough

This parkrun event has been permanently cancelled. I did not complete this event before it was closed.
Region: East Midlands
Historic County: Lincolnshire
Ceremonial County: Lincolnshire
Inaugural: May 30th 2015. Final event: #242 on March 14th 2020
Reason for cancellation: Didn’t restart after Covid as some of the land had planning permission for housing, which went ahead.
Replaced by: Thonock Lane Farm
Links: Event Home Page

Lincoln

I have not yet completed this event
Region: East Midlands
Historic County: Lincolnshire
Ceremonial County: Lincolnshire
Inaugural: 16th November 2013
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Market Rasen Racecourse

I have not yet completed this event
Region: East Midlands
Historic County: Lincolnshire
Ceremonial County: Lincolnshire
Inaugural: 3rd November 2018
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Normanby Hall

I have not yet completed this event
Region: Yorkshire and the Humber
Historic County: Lincolnshire
Ceremonial County: Lincolnshire
Inaugural: 4th November 2017
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School

I have not yet completed this event
Region: East Midlands
Historic County: Lincolnshire
Ceremonial County: Lincolnshire
Inaugural: 22nd March 2025
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Scunthorpe

I have not yet completed this event
Region: Yorkshire and the Humber
Historic County: Lincolnshire
Ceremonial County: Lincolnshire
Inaugural: 23rd February 2013
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Skegness Boating Lake

This parkrun event has been permanently cancelled. I did not complete this event before it was closed.
Region: East Midlands
Historic County: Lincolnshire
Ceremonial County: Lincolnshire
Inaugural: December 28th 2019. Final event: #12 on March 14th 2020
Reason for cancellation: During covid the main carpark entrance for Skegness was moved, it now goes across the course path whereas previously it didn’t.
Links: Event Home Page

Snowden Field

I have not yet completed this event
Region: East Midlands
Historic County: Lincolnshire
Ceremonial County: Lincolnshire
Inaugural: 27th April 2019
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Thonock Lane Farm

I have not yet completed this event
Region: East Midlands
Historic County: Lincolnshire
Ceremonial County: Lincolnshire
Inaugural: 7th October 2023
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Vermuyden Way

I have not yet completed this event
Region: Yorkshire and the Humber
Historic County: Lincolnshire
Ceremonial County: Lincolnshire
Inaugural: 25th January 2025
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Yarborough Leisure Centre

I have not yet completed this event
Region: East Midlands
Historic County: Lincolnshire
Ceremonial County: Lincolnshire
Inaugural: 4th February 2023
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Walking The Midshires Way Part 13: Oakhill and Loughton

Start & Finish: Lodge Lake Car Park, Bradwell Road, Loughton Lodge, Great Holm, Milton Keynes, MK8 9LG
Distance: 9.8 km (6.1 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 84m
Terrain: A mix of ancient woodland paths, paved Milton Keynes redways, and grassy parkland trails.
Midshires Way section covered: Oakhill to Lodge Lake: 5.8 km
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Midshires Way, The Swan Way, North Bucks Way, Milton Keynes Boundary Walk
Other routes touched (cycle): Milton Keynes Redways: H4, V2, V4, Millennium Circular Route
Pubs / Cafes on route: Kensington Pub (0.8 km in)
Map: Buckingham & Milton Keynes Map | Leighton Buzzard & Woburn | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 192
Links: Milton Keynes, Loughton

Welcome to Part 13 of our series of short circular walks along the Buckinghamshire section of the Midshires Way. For a complete overview of the 225-mile trail's history, its connection to the Swan's Way, and preparation tips, please read my complete Midshires Way Through Buckinghamshire Guide.

Walking Directions

This stage of the Midshires Way takes walkers from Lodge Lake deep into the surprisingly green corridors of Milton Keynes. While Milton Keynes is often associated with its modern grid system, this route beautifully showcases how ancient villages like Loughton were carefully preserved and integrated into the city's design. It provides a brilliant contrast between historical Buckinghamshire and modern urban planning.

The route is mostly flat and relies heavily on the city's extensive network of pedestrian pathways and parkland trails, making it highly accessible year-round. Along the way, you will trace the borders of historic woodlands, pass by centuries-old village architecture, and perhaps even find time for a detour to a local parkrun if you are walking on a Saturday morning.

The guidance below will help you navigate but don’t use it as a fully accurate turn-by-turn guide. Always take a map and/or a GPX route and prepare well for the weather and terrain.

Start off at Lodge Lake car park, which is just off Bradwell Road from the Dansteed Way dual carriageway. There is free parking for about twenty cars, and it makes a great starting point with plenty of route options around the water.
From the car park, head around the lake in an anti-clockwise direction.
Pick up the path that runs parallel to Dansteed Way along its southern edge.
After just under one kilometre, you will walk past the Kensington pub: it is a nice spot for a quick drink if you fancy one, even if it is a bit early in the trip.
Keep heading south-west until the 1.8 kilometre mark, then cross over Dansteed Way at the traffic lights onto Randall Avenue.
Take an immediate left to dip into the woodland, following a lovely little trail with a stream on your right and Dansteed Way on your left.
Continue south-west until you reach the roundabout connecting Barossa Way and Tattenhoe Street.
Cross Barossa Way to join the North Bucks Way: this is a really peaceful section as you get away from the busy roads and houses for a bit.
Head south along the North Bucks Way until you reach the four kilometre mark, then take a left to rejoin the Midshires Way right where we left off on section twelve.
Wander north-east through a quiet residential part of Oak Hill, then follow the path as it curves south-west along the south side of Fulmer Street.
Just past the six kilometre mark, pop under the underpass and stick to the Midshires Way on the north side of Fulmer Street.
The route curves left to head north-east parallel to Chazey Way, before taking you under the busy Watling Street via another underpass.
Curve left heading north-north-west through Loughton: this is a rather nice area with some big houses, open ground, and a great view across to Central Milton Keynes over on the eastern side.
Finally, keep following the route past the miniature railway, cross over Loughton Brook, and simply follow the water all the way back to Lodge Lake to finish up.

Points of Interest along or near to the Route

Lodge Lake & Great Holm Built in the early 1980s as a balancing lake to manage flood risks from the Loughton Brook, Lodge Lake has matured into a thriving natural ecosystem. It provides a vital habitat for local birdlife, making it an excellent spot for birdwatching. Keep an eye out for herons, swans, and even the occasional kingfisher as you navigate the water's edge at the start and finish of your walk.
Oakhill Wood forms part of the long‑established woodland belt on the western edge of Milton Keynes. Though not formally designated as ancient woodland, it has been present in the landscape for centuries and provides a rich habitat for local wildlife. Its shaded paths offer a welcome sense of seclusion, creating a natural green buffer between the modern grid roads and the older settlements nearby.
Loughton is one of Milton Keynes’ most historic settlements, recorded in the Domesday Book and still centred around its traditional village green. Absorbed into the new town’s designated area in the early 1970s, it has retained its medieval street pattern and a remarkable collection of historic buildings. Timber‑framed cottages, farmhouses, and remnants of ancient field boundaries preserve the character of a Buckinghamshire village that predates the city by nearly a millennium.
All Saints Church is the oldest surviving building in Loughton and a Grade II* listed landmark. Its earliest sections, the nave and chancel, date from the early 13th century, with later medieval additions shaping the church’s distinctive profile. Set amid the village’s green spaces and surrounded by modern Milton Keynes, it stands as a striking reminder of the area’s deep historical roots.
The Milton Keynes Redway Network A significant portion of this route utilises the city’s Redways—a unique, traffic-free network boasting over 200 miles of shared-use paths for pedestrians and cyclists. These verdant, tree-lined corridors safely connect communities and parks away from the roads, demonstrating how modern urban planning can successfully blend seamlessly with nature.

Midshires Way previous section (south): Whaddon and Oakhill Wood

Midshires Way next section (north): Bradwell Abbey and Linford Wood

Midshires Way through Buckinghamshire Guide

Trek Index

Richard gower 02/07/2026 Richard gower 02/07/2026

Completing all Derbyshire parkruns

There are currently 12 parkrun events in the present-day county of Derbyshire, of which I have not yet completed any. The first was Markeaton which started on 27th April 2013 and the newest is Coronation Park which started on 24th May 2025. I’m not aware of a County Completion Name for Derbyshire but let me know in the comments if you have one.

Graves and Rother Valley were both in the historic county of Derbyshire but are now in the present-day county of South Yorkshire. Graves, which started on 14th April 2012, was the first parkrun event in the historic county of Derbyshire. While most of Derbyshire is a part of the East Midlands region, the 2 that are now in South Yorkshire are part of the Yorkshire and the Humber region.

Numbers exclude 2k Junior parkruns and any events that are not open to the general public such as prisons or armed forces facilities.

A map of all parkrun events in the county of Derbyshire

All of the Derbyshire parkrun events …

Below are each of the Derbyshire 5k parkrun events in alphabetical order. A few things to note:

The interactive maps below take you to the approximate location for the course, typically the centre of the park. See the course instructions in the parkrun page for each event for specific directions to the start.
Course maps and elevation profiles show the route at the time that I ran it and may have changed since then. See the Course page in the event’s page on parkrun.org.uk for the current course outline. Note that course outlines are from Garmin data during a specific run and may vary from the officially measured distance.
Please contact me if you spot an event that doesn’t have a course map and elevation profile and you would like to donate one from your own run. I’m also interested in maps and elevation profiles for courses that have changed or where there’s a regular alternative route (e.g. Horsham). I’ll need a GPX file from your run plus the date. I’ll include a credit for you and will donate £1 to parkrun.

Alvaston

I have not yet completed this event
Region: East Midlands
Historic County: Derbyshire
Ceremonial County: Derbyshire
Inaugural: 25th May 2019
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Ashbourne Recreation Ground

I have not yet completed this event
Region: East Midlands
Historic County: Derbyshire
Ceremonial County: Derbyshire
Inaugural: 14th May 2022
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Black Rocks

I have not yet completed this event
Region: East Midlands
Historic County: Derbyshire
Ceremonial County: Derbyshire
Inaugural: 18th January 2025
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Coronation Park

I have not yet completed this event
Region: East Midlands
Historic County: Derbyshire
Ceremonial County: Derbyshire
Inaugural: 24th May 2025
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Glossop

I have not yet completed this event
Region: East Midlands
Historic County: Derbyshire
Ceremonial County: Derbyshire
Inaugural: 26th September 2015
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Graves

I have not yet completed this event
Region: Yorkshire and the Humber
Historic County: Derbyshire
Ceremonial County: South Yorkshire
Inaugural: 14th April 2012
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Long Eaton

I have not yet completed this event
Region: East Midlands
Historic County: Derbyshire
Ceremonial County: Derbyshire
Inaugural: 13th June 2015
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Markeaton

I have not yet completed this event
Original name: Darley Abbey. The event relocated to a different site (Markeaton Park) following its last run at Darley Abbey in January 2016, carrying over its event number count to the new location.
Region: East Midlands
Historic County: Derbyshire
Ceremonial County: Derbyshire
Inaugural: 27th April 2013
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Monsal Trail

I have not yet completed this event
Original name: Bakewell. The event retired its old route and moved to a new, safer course on the Monsal Trail.
Region: East Midlands
Historic County: Derbyshire
Ceremonial County: Derbyshire
Inaugural: 6th January 2018
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Pavilion Gardens

I have not yet completed this event
Region: East Midlands
Historic County: Derbyshire
Ceremonial County: Derbyshire
Inaugural: 5th November 2022
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Poolsbrook

I have not yet completed this event
Region: East Midlands
Historic County: Derbyshire
Ceremonial County: Derbyshire
Inaugural: 2nd April 2016
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Rosliston

I have not yet completed this event
Region: East Midlands
Historic County: Derbyshire
Ceremonial County: Derbyshire
Inaugural: 12th March 2016
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Rother Valley

I have not yet completed this event
Region: Yorkshire and the Humber
Historic County: Derbyshire
Ceremonial County: South Yorkshire
Inaugural: 11th May 2013
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Shipley Country

I have not yet completed this event
Region: East Midlands
Historic County: Derbyshire
Ceremonial County: Derbyshire
Inaugural: 25th February 2017
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

All of the Merseyside parkrun events …

Birkenhead

Brimstage

Crosby

Croxteth Hall

Kew Woods

Knowsley

Princes

Southport

St Helens

Sutton Manor

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All of the Greater Manchester parkrun events …

Alexandra

Bolton

Bramhall Park

Burnage

Chadderton Hall

Cheadle Hulme

Clarence

Fletcher Moss

Haigh Woodland

Heaton Park

Hyde

Kingsway Park, Urmston

Marple

Oldham

Peel

Pennington Flash

Philips Park

Sale Water

South Manchester

Stamford Park

Stretford

Watergrove

Woodbank

Worsley Woods

Wythenshawe

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All of the Lancashire parkrun events …

Blackpool

Burnley

Clitheroe Castle

Cuerden Valley

Fleetwood Promenade

Hyndburn

Lancaster

Lytham Hall

Morecambe Prom

Ormskirk

Pendle

Preston

Tawd Valley

Witton

Worden

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All of the Cumbria parkrun events …

Barrow

Bower Park

Carlisle

Cockermouth Greenway

Fell Foot

Ford

Grizedale Forest

Keswick

Maryport Prom

Millom

Muncaster Castle

Penrith

Rothay Park

Silloth Promenade

Talkin Tarn Country Park

Whinlatter Forest

Whitehaven

Workington

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All of the Cheshire parkrun events …

Alderley Park

Chester

Congleton