The Forest Centre (café, toilets, gift shop and playground) is open Monday to Friday 9am - 4pm and Weekends 9am - 5pm (last hot food orders 4 pm daily).

The car park is open until 5pm every day.

The Bike Hire is open weekends only 10am - 4:30pm 

3 of our 4 hides are now open (the tower hide remains closed pending repairs) - please follow the guidance posted at each hide. Charges apply for entering the Wetlands Nature Reserve.

We are only accepting card/contactless payments throughout the building - we are unable to take cash payments. 

As per updated government guidance, face coverings must be worn inside the Forest Centre.

We will be using the NHS Test and Trace system to record customers using our seating areas. This can be accessed by scanning the QR code on our signage on arrival.

There are social distancing measures in place and there is an anti-bacterial hand gel station on entry. 

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

Please make sure that you are still keeping the recommended distance of 2 metres between yourself and others (not from your household) when out in green spaces.

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.

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