Originally a gravel works, Emberton Country Park covers over 200 acres of attractive parkland in the village of Emberton, close to the historic town of Olney and just a few miles Northeast of Milton Keynes. The site was transformed by Milton Keynes City Council into England’s first country park and offers something for everyone.

Read our visitors leaflet for more information.

Keep up to date by following our Facebook page.

Exploring

Whether you are visiting for the day or camping, you can walk, jog, run, cycle or ride around over 5km of paths and trails winding their way around four lakes, through wooded glades and meadows - please note that there are some uneven walking surfaces and swimming, wading and paddling are not permitted in any of the park’s waters.

There are three dedicated children’s play areas, including a unique quarry experience which develops co-ordination and teamwork through play. Younger visitors can also complete our activity sheet while exploring the park.

Bird watching

Come along and use our four bird watching platforms and bird hide - there are numerous species to see, from resident birds such as woodpeckers and kingfishers to migratory birds such as swifts, swallows, wintering ducks and cuckoos.

Wildlife walks

The park organises a number of wildlife walks in the Spring and Summer months. With grateful support from Alan Nelson, Bucks County Dragonfly Recorder, these walks are designed for people that wish to learn more about the wildlife at the park, their lifecycles and biology, how to identify different species, what to look for when exploring nature on your own and how you can make a difference for wildlife where you live. Please contact the park if you are interested and would like more information or to book your place.

- Dawn Chorus Walk - 5th May

- Dragonfly Walk - 30th June

- Bat Walk - 24th August 

- Bat Walk - 7th September

- Moth Mornings - TBC

Duck feeding

Emberton Country Park is now the first in our area to be part of the Feed Ducks Initiative which aims to promote sustainable ways to feed wildfowl. The duck feeder is made from 20,000 recycled plastic bottles, is solar-powered and has a contactless payment system (no cash option available). This allows park users to engage in this great British pastime without the need for bread, which can be harmful to wildlife and pollute the water, and in suitable quantities. And all for just £1.50 for an individual and £3.00 for a family portion.

The Feed Ducks Initiative website can be found here.

Fishing

Enjoy fishing all year round on all four of our lakes.

Emberton Park Sailing Club

Encourages all aspects of dinghy sailing - racing, training and casual. One of the oldest sailing clubs in the area, and proudly boasting a family friendly environment in which to sail all year round.

Visit their website here.

Eating and drinking

Picnics

There are two dedicated picnic areas - where possible, use reusable items for your picnic, such as reusable tubs for sandwiches and crisps, and reusable water bottles and reusable mugs for hot drinks.

BBQs and fires are not permitted in the main park area, only in the camping or static caravan area.

Please dispose of your leftovers correctly - we have recycling facilities available on site next to the café car park and there are large black communal rubbish bins for rubbish. Alternatively, please take you litter home. We ask that you leave the park as you would hope to find it.

Cafe

Emberton Park Cafe, operated by Meadow Brown Restaurants Ltd, is just by the entrance, and is a great place to meet with friends or stop for a bite to eat in between exploring the lakes and woodland areas. They also serve ice cream in the warmer months.

Help with litter picking

Help us to keep Emberton Country Park beautiful and safe for the wildlife by using one of our free litter picking kits as you wander around. Whether you are out on your own, with family, walking the dog or even jogging, litter picking as you go is a great way to have fun and help the environment at the same time!

Kits are available from the café - a £5 refundable deposit is required.

Cowman Triathlon/Duathlon

Emberton Country Park hosts The Cowman Triathlon and duathlons in April, August and October. The next Cowman Duathlon is on Sunday 8th October 2023. For those wishing to find out more about the events and on how to take part, please see their website.