🚗 Caldecotte Lake Car Park – The Complete Felsted Corner Leisure Parking Guide
Caldecotte Lake – free 24/7 parking, riverside access, steps from trails & watersports.
🚗 Type: Public Free Car Park (Milton Keynes Council / Parks Trust)
🕒 Open: 24/7 (no charges or time limits)
🌟 Rating: 4.6/5 (Google Reviews)
📊 Capacity & Physical Features
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total Spaces | ~100 bays |
| Disabled Bays | 6 marked bays (nearest picnic area; free with Blue Badge) |
| Parent & Child Bays | 4 extra-wide bays by main walkway |
| Surface | Level tarmac with clear bay lining |
| Lighting | Solar-powered bollards along main route (dusk–dawn) |
| Drainage | Channel drains; cleared bi-annually |
| Security | Occasional Parks Trust patrols; good mobile reception |
| Signage | Parks Trust “P” signs & site map at entrance |
♿ Accessibility & Adapted Facilities
Blue Badge Bays: Six bays adjacent to lakeside path—no time limit
Drop-Off Zone: Kerbside pull-in next to main picnic shelter for easy unloading
Pathways: Wide, smooth tarmac routes to watersports centre and café
Seating & Shelter: Benches and covered picnic areas by the shoreline
🚶 Walkability & Recreation Links
| Destination | Walk Time | Key Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Caldecotte Lake Watersports Centre | 2 min | Kayak, paddleboard hire & lessons |
| Lakeside Café | 1 min | Indoor seating, toilets & refreshments |
| Millennium Cycle Route | Adjacent | Traffic-free cycling & running trail |
| Simpson Manor Woods | 10 min | Woodland trails & wildlife spotting |
🔌 EV Infrastructure & Nearby Options
On-Site Charging: None installed
Planned (2025): Feasibility study for 4×7 kW chargers by café
Nearest Live Chargers:
MK Coachway MSCP – 10×22 kW rapid (5 min drive)
Kingston District Centre CP – 4×7 kW units (6 min drive)
📅 Demand Patterns & Seasonal Variations
| Period | Occupancy | User Profile |
|---|---|---|
| Weekday Mornings (08:00–10:00) | 40 % | Joggers & dog walkers |
| Weekday Afternoons (12:00–14:00) | 50 % | Café visitors & anglers |
| Evenings & Weekends | 80 % | Families & watersports users |
| Summer Weekends | 95 % | Peak leisure & event days |
Pro Tip: Arrive before 09:00 on summer weekends to secure a bay close to the café.
🛒 Nearby Amenities & Services
Public Toilets: Lakeside Café (open during café hours)
Café & Kiosk: Hot drinks, light meals & outdoor seating
Boat & Bike Hire: On-site at watersports centre
🅿️ Alternative Parking Comparison
| Site | Distance | Cost | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caldecotte North Shore Car Park | 3 min walk | Free | Closer to sailing club & jetty |
| Furzton Lake CP | 6 min drive | Free | Larger capacity & café facilities |
| Kingston District Centre CP | 6 min drive | £0.50/hr; £3/day | EV charging & covered bays |
⚠️ Important Notices & Guidelines
Time-Limit Advice: Recommended max 4 h stay during peak to allow turnover
Wildlife & Safety: Observe signage around nesting and fishing areas
Enforcement: Courtesy notices by Parks Trust for misuse; no formal PCNs
Maintenance: Bi-annual surface and drainage clearance (next due Oct 2025)
📌 Visitor Tips
Watersports: Book lessons in advance during school holidays to guarantee slots.
Family Outings: Use parent & child bays for quickest access to playground and beach.
Blue Badge Users: Display badge and park in designated bays closest to café.
Weather Alert: Lakeside can be breezy—bring windproof clothing for cliff-edge trails.
🔮 Future Developments & Planning
2025 Q3: Install 4×7 kW EV charging bays funded by Parks Trust grant
2025 Q4: Upgrade to digital site map kiosk with real-time event info
2026: Feasibility study for +30 bays on adjacent meadow (ref: MKC/PLN/2024/1285)
Accessibility Audit: Full PAS 1899 compliance review scheduled Jan 2026
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