Skip over main navigation
  • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
The Forest of Marston Vale Trust
  • Search
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
Donate
Menu
  • About us
    • Our Story
    • How we help
    • Community Fund
    • Trustees
    • Our Patron
    • Corporate Friends
  • Explore the Forest
    • Forest Centre and Millennium Country Park
      • Opening Times and Directions
      • The Forest Centre
      • The Millennium Country Park
      • Bike Hire
      • Wetlands Nature Reserve
    • Our Woodlands
    • Walks and Routes
    • Kids and Families
    • Schools
      • Forest School
      • School Visits and Resources
  • Gifts That Give Back
    • Become a Friend
    • Dedicate a tree
    • Sponsor a Habitat
    • Jump for the trees - sponsored skydive
    • Raise £s as you shop
  • Support Us
    • Corporate Opportunities
    • Fundraising Ideas
    • In Memory
    • Volunteer for us
      • Volunteer opportunities
      • Volunteer Tasks
  • What's going on
    • News
    • Events
    • Our blog
  • Shop
    • Commemorative Leaf Plaques
    • Firewood
  • Venue hire
    • Weddings
    • Parties
    • Conferencing
    • Team Building
    • Wakes
    • Green Values
  • Trees for Climate
  • 01234762615
    • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
  1. Explore the Forest
  2. Forest Centre and Millennium Country Park
  3. Opening Times and Directions

Opening times and directions

Forest Centre Opening Times

Monday to Sunday - 9am to 4pm (winter hours)

Car park closes at 5pm daily (winter hours) 

Breakfast served until 11:30 daily

Kitchen closes for hot food orders at 3.45pm daily



Bike Hire is closed - please take a look at our Bike Hire page for updates.

Dogs aren't allowed in the Forest Centre (with the exception of assistance dogs).

Please check our Coronavirus (Covid-19) guidance before visiting.


If you are visiting the Park by car out of hours, please do not park in front of our gate as we need access for emergencies, 24/7.

The Millennium Country Park is accessible 24/7, everyday of the year on foot. All of our woodlands remain open to the public.

All money spent or donated at the Forest Centre goes back into the charity to plant more trees and look after our woodlands across the Forest - whether you have a cup of tea, or hire a bike - you're helping us to make life better for people, for wildlife and for the planet!

Car parking Charges

Become a Friend of the Forest for free parking

Up to 1 hour £1
Up to 3 hours £2
Over 3 hours £3
Over night £5

Please note - there is a 15 minute grace period for drop offs/collections/using the bottle banks. 

Simply enter your registration and the length of time you'd like to stay on the payment machines - there is no need to display the ticket as it's automatic number plate recognition. Currently you can only pay by card/contactless payment due to COVID 19. You can also pay on the Pay By Phone website or app (Location: Marston Vale, Bedford Number: 800979).

The car park closes promptly at 8pm in summer, and 5pm for the rest of the year unless there is an evening event on, in which case the gate will close after the last guest leaves. However, the Park is accessible 24/7, 365 days a year on foot, for horse riders and cyclists.

Please note: if your car is locked in the Centre’s car park overnight you can collect it the following morning - to arrange release before the car park reopens, please call 07458 053549. A £25 release fee is payable to the member of staff upon their arrival.


Directions

By road

From J13 of the M1, follow the A421 towards Bedford/Cambridge and exit at Marston Moretaine.

From the A1, follow the A421 towards Milton Keynes and exit at Marston Moretaine.

Country Park brown signage 

You’ll see brown signage for the Forest Centre. At the roundabout, take the exit into Marston Moretaine (Beancroft Road); at the next junction turn left and then almost immediately right (Station Road). Follow the road and after approx. 500m you'll see the road to our entrance on your left (Gold Furlong). Take a right on this road, and you'll be on our driveway. The best satnav postcode to use is MK43 0PS, however as the road layout has recently changed this may take you through the neighbouring housing estate, so keep an eye on the signage!

By rail

The Forest Centre is approx. a 15 minute walk from both Millbrook and Stewartby stations and you can bring your bike with you! Click here for more information about train times. Please note, the trains do not run on Sundays. If you visit us by train, on the Bedford - Bletchley line, present your ticket when you make your order to get 10% discount in the Café (must be a valid ticket for travel on the day you present it).

By bus

Depending on where you are travelling from, you'll need to look at the Central Bedfordshire website, or the Bedford Borough website. The closest bus stops to the Forest Centre & Millennium Country Park are:

Gold Furlong (10 minute walk) - Bus: C12
Social Club (20 minute walk) - Buses: 2, 6B and C12
Tylecote Close (20 minute walk) Buses: C10, C11

Some bus services are not regular, so please check the timetables before travelling.

By bike

The Forest Centre & Millennium Country Park are easily accessible via Route 51.

For more information, call 01234 767037 or email us.


Help us plant more trees

Sign up to our newsletter

You can choose to just hear about our events, or our campaigns and the work that we do locally. The more people that get involved, the quicker we'll be able to plant 5 million more trees and that can only be a good thing. Not just for the local area but for the planet.

Published: 26th July, 2017

Updated: 10th January, 2023

Author:

Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Latest

  • Party with a Princess

    Party with a Princess

    Party with a princess! Join the Princesses for a children's afternoon tea fit for royalty, followed by meet and greets, games and sing-a-longs. £15 per ticket - book online now.

  • The King's Coronation kids' crafts

    The King's Coronation kids' crafts

    Join us at the Forest Centre this Easter holidays and get creative at our kid's crafts sessions. Book online now - two sessions available to choose from. £4 per child.

  • Decorate your own butterfly house - kids' crafts

    Decorate your own butterfly house - kids' crafts

    Join us at the Forest Centre this Easter holidays and get creative at our kid's crafts sessions. Book online now - two sessions available to choose from. £4 per child.

  • Valentine's

    Valentine's

    A gift that lasts longer than flowers and chocolates.

Related

  • One for dog owners...

    One for dog owners...

    We want everyone to be able to enjoy our sites but unfortunately there are some people who can't keep their dogs under control...

  • Car parking charges

    Car parking charges

    In order to carry on maintaining our sites and planting more trees we need to step it up.

  • Locally made charcoal now available

    Locally made charcoal now available

    Produced by our very own former team member Guy Lambourne and wife Jane at their woodland, Bottoms' Corner

  • Hire explorer packs

    Hire explorer packs

    Everything you need for hours of fun exploring the Forest

  • Panto at Milton Keynes Theatre

    Panto at Milton Keynes Theatre

    Discounted tickets available for Pantomime at Milton Keynes Theatre and no booking fees!

  • Wakes

    Wakes

    The Forest Centre provides a beautiful, reflective environment to mark the passing of a loved one

  • The Lakeside Cafe

    At the Forest Centre & Millennium Country Park

  • Parties

    Parties

    From christenings to big birthday bashes, the Forest Centre is the natural place to get your friends and family together from only £150.

  • Wind turbine

    Wind turbine

    The Wind Turbine in the Millennium Country Park

  • Wetlands Nature Reserve

    Wetlands Nature Reserve

    In the Millennium Country Park

Most read

  • Opening times and directions

    The Forest Centre's Opening Times and Directions to the Millennium Country Park

  • Walks and routes

    Walks and routes

    Our suggestions for great walks, bike rides and bridleways throughout the Forest of Marston Vale.

  • Weddings

    Weddings

    Give the Forest a future by starting your future with us. The Forest Centre is a stunning wedding venue

  • Become a Friend of the Forest Today

    Become a Friend of the Forest Today

    Join now to help us to plant 5 million trees in the Forest

  • Jobs

    Jobs

    Job Opportunities at the Forest Centre

  • Opening times and map

  • Car parking charges

    Car parking charges

    In order to carry on maintaining our sites and planting more trees we need to step it up.

  • Bike hire

    Bike hire

    From just £7 for an adult bike, explore the Millennium Country Park

  • Our story

    Our story

    Trees make life better

  • Wetlands Nature Reserve

    Wetlands Nature Reserve

    In the Millennium Country Park

Tag cloud

Birds Spiders Trees for Climate Wildlife

Sign up to help us plant 5 million trees!

* indicates required
I want to hear about:

Useful Links

  • Contact us
  • Jobs
  • Press
  • Sitemap
  • Privacy and Cookies policy
  • Community Fund
  • Accessibility
  • Terms and Conditions

Follow us

  • Trip Advisor
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

The Forest of Marston Vale Trust is a Registered Charity No. 1069229.
Company registered in England No 3462405.

Registered Office: The Forest Centre, Station Road, Marston Moretaine, Bedford MK43 0PR.
Marston Vale Services t/a The Forest Centre Ltd, registered in England No 3538255 & Marston Vale Farms Limited, registered in England No 06537891 are subsidiaries of the Forest of Marston Vale Trust.

Manage Cookie Preferences