🚗 Thornborough & Coombs Woodlands Car Park – Buckinghamshire Countryside & Trailhead Access Guide
Free all-day parking at Thornborough & Coombs Woodlands – your gateway to ancient woodlands, lakeside trails and wildlife spotting in the heart of rural Buckinghamshire MK18.
🚗 Type: Free Public Off-Street Car Park (Buckinghamshire Council)
🕒 Open: Dawn–Dusk (approx. 06:00–20:00; seasonal variation)
🌟 Rating: 4.5 / 5 (visitor reviews aggregate)
💰 Pricing & Permits
| Cost | Payment | Return Restrictions | Blue Badge Holders |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | Not required | None within opening hours | Exempt (no display needed) |
Unlimited stay during daylight hours; no charges or tickets.
No return restrictions—stay as long as you wish while the car park is open.
📊 Capacity & Physical Features
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total Spaces | ~25 marked bays |
| Surface | Compacted stone & grass verges |
| Lighting | None |
| Security | Unmanaged, no CCTV |
| Height Limit | None (all vehicle types welcome) |
♿ Accessibility
Disabled Access: Level parking area but no marked bays—badge holders may use any space.
Nearest Adapted Bays: Buckingham Swan Pool Car Park (0.6 mi) – 4 marked bays.
Drop-Off Zone: Gravel lay-by at entrance gate.
🔌 EV Infrastructure
On-Site Charging: None.
Nearest Options:
Buckingham Swan Pool Car Park – Pod Point 7 kW bays (0.6 mi)
Tesco Extra Buckingham – 22 kW rapid chargers (1.5 mi)
📅 Peak Times & Occupancy
| Timeframe | Occupancy | Typical Users |
|---|---|---|
| Weekdays 9–11 am | 30 % | Morning dog-walkers |
| Weekdays 12–3 pm | 20 % | Picnic & bird-watchers |
| Weekends 10 am–4 pm | 75 % | Families & hikers |
| Bank Holidays | 90 % | Day-trippers & nature groups |
Pro Tip: Arrive before 10 am on weekends and holidays for the best choice of bays.
🚶 Walkability & Trail Access
| Destination | Walk Time | Key Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Thornborough Lakes Loop | On-site | 2 mi circular path around two lakes |
| Coombs Woodlands Entrance | 1 min | Access to 5 mi of ancient woodland trails |
| Thornborough Medieval Church | 10 min | Historic church ruin & viewpoint |
| Buckingham Town Centre | 5 mi | Shops, cafés & public transport links |
🛒 Nearby Amenities
Public Toilets: Buckingham Swan Pool (0.6 mi)
Café & Refreshments: Pop-up weekend kiosk by lake car park entrance
Bus Stop: Thornborough Village (Route 60 to Buckingham) – 2 min walk
⚠️ Important Notices
Seasonal Closure: Car park closes at dusk; no overnight parking.
Surface Condition: Stone surface can be uneven—sturdy footwear recommended.
Unmanaged Site: No lighting or patrols—visit in daylight and secure valuables.
📌 Expert Tips
Sunrise Visit: Early-morning trips reward you with misty lake views and quiet woodland.
Loop Hack: Combine lakes loop with Coombs woodlands for a longer 7 mi hike.
Wildlife Watch: Bring binoculars—kingfishers, herons and deer are commonly sighted.
🔮 Future Developments
2025: Buckinghamshire Council consulting on installing two EV charge points at Swan Pool, improving local access.
2026: Proposed interpretive signage and picnic table upgrades under the “Green Buckinghamshire” initiative.
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