🚗 Willen Lake A Car Park – Complete Milton Keynes Parking Guide
Pay & play at Willen Lake A – scenic, secure, EV-ready.
🚗 Type: Surface Pay & Display Car Park (Operated by Smart Parking/The Parks Trust)
🕒 Open: 24 hours daily
🌟 Rating: 4.4 / 5 (Tripadvisor & local feedback)
💰 Pricing & Permits
Tariff (Pay on Arrival):
Up to 1 h: £1.50
Up to 2 h: £2.50
Up to 3 h: £3.50
Up to 4 h: £4.50
Up to 5 h: £5.50
Up to 6 h: £6.50
Up to 7 h: £7.50
Up to 8 h: £8.50
Up to 24 h: £14.00
Up to 48 h (max stay): £20.00
Annual Permit: £170 / year (50 % discount with Willen Wonders Card; discounted rates for Blue Badge holders)
Grace Period: 10-minute drop-off allowance; charges apply thereafter
Payment Methods: RingGo app (location code 21694), on-site machines (cash or card)
Ticket Display: Not required—ANPR records entry/exit
📊 Capacity & Physical Features
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total Spaces | Not officially published (estimated ~200 bays) |
| Surface | Level tarmac with painted bay markings |
| Lighting | LED lamp posts covering all zones |
| Security | ANPR-based monitoring; occasional on-site patrols |
| Height Restriction | None (suitable for vans and minibuses) |
| Entry/Exit | Unbarriered ANPR entry; pay-on-entry |
♿ Accessibility
Blue Badge Bays: Designated spaces adjacent to the main footpath
Step-Free Access: Smooth surfaced paths to lakeside and activity hubs
Drop-Off Point: Kerbside lay-by at entrance, with level transition to park paths
Accessible Facilities: Changing Places and disabled toilets at Splash ’n’ Play complex
🔌 EV Infrastructure
On-Site Chargers: Dedicated EV bays across all four Willen Lake car parks (Pod Point units, pay-for-parking applies)
Nearby Rapid Chargers:
Milton Keynes Central Station (4×50 kW, 8 min drive)
Xscape Leisure Complex (2×150 kW, 10 min drive)
📅 Peak Times & Occupancy
| Timeframe | Occupancy | Typical Users |
|---|---|---|
| Weekdays 09–11 AM | 90 % | Commuters & watersports guests |
| Weekdays 12–2 PM | 70 % | Families & café visitors |
| Weekends 10 AM–4 PM | 100 % | Tourists & day-trippers |
| Evenings after 6 PM | 40 % | Dog walkers & local residents |
Pro Tip: For later stays, purchase an annual permit to avoid hourly top-ups.
🚶 Walkability Score
| Destination | Walk Time | Key Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Willen Lake South (Splash ’n’ Play) | 2 min | Family splash park & toilets |
| Watersports Centre | 3 min | Kayaking, paddleboarding & café |
| Tree Cathedral | 8 min | Serene woodland walk |
| Peace Pagoda | 10 min | Lakeside meditation spot |
🛒 Nearby Amenities
Essentials
Public Toilets: Splash ’n’ Play (2 min) & Watersports Centre (3 min)
ATM: Willen Lodge reception (5 min)
First Aid: Watersports Centre during operating hours
Food & Drink
Benugo Bar & Kitchen: Lakeside café–bar (3 min)
Willen Lodge at the Lake: Riverside restaurant (5 min)
Gulliver’s Theme Park Café: Family-friendly dining (7 min)
🅿️ Alternative Parking Comparison
| Site | Distance | Cost | Max Stay | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Willen Lake B Car Park | 3 min | Same tariff; ANPR exit | 48 h | Pay on Exit option |
| Peace Pagoda Car Park | 7 min | Same tariff; pay on entry | 48 h | Scenic views of Pagoda |
| Tree Cathedral Car Park | 10 min | Same tariff; pay on entry | 48 h | Quiet, shaded bays |
⚠️ Important Notices
ANPR Enforcement: Charges apply on arrival—ensure payment before exit
Maximum Stay: 48 hours strictly enforced
Maintenance: Annual surface re-lining scheduled October 2025
📌 Expert Tips
Early Bird: Arrive before 9 AM at weekends to secure bays near Splash ’n’ Play
Permit Value: Annual permit saves over 40 % for frequent visitors
App Top-Up: Extend your stay via RingGo from anywhere in the park
🔮 Future Developments
Late 2025: Pilot installation of solar-powered canopies with integrated EV charging
2026: Integration into The Parks Trust’s smart-parking real-time occupancy network
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