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Secret Garden Opened in 2005. Planting and mosaics remember site's former use as four villas to house important Railway Works managers and the station master.

Railway Mural Close to Station, this long black and white mural of a steam train is the work of the late Bill Billings, Western Section completed in 1984. Wolverton to Wolverton is the 'Western Gateway' for the Railway Walk and the reason for the original railway branch line. The coming of the London to railway necessitated a central station to check and repair the trains and Wolverton, halfway and Museum accessible to bringing in building materials via the 1847 Victorian farmhouse and buildings converted into museum of Grand Union , fitted the bill. From 1866 goods the local area and for the new city. trains passed along the route and in 1867, railway workers were able to catch the train from their homes in New Bradwell to Wolverton Works. Lost Track DL pages final:Lost Track 18/08/2009 11:33 Page 2

Bradwell Windmill New Bradwell Built c1810 by Samuel Planned town dating from 1858 as Holman and costing additional housing for workers for £500, Bradwell Windmill Wolverton Works. St George’s Church, had a very short life built in 1843, was the first church in span operating only the world built by a railway company sixty years before it mainly for its workers. closed. It is unusual in Artworks-mk having a fireplace (flour C13th church overlooks a dust is notoriously C17th courtyard of stables explosive!). and barn. This and nearby almshouses were created by Lord Mayor of London Sir William Pritchard. Today the courtyard forms the Artworks- mk arts and crafts centre with artists studios. Mid Section New Bradwell to This section between stations was the steepest part on the line. As water to make the steam was in short supply at Wolverton, the one train or Newport Nobby as it was affectionately known filled up at New Bradwell, except for Mondays when the water was needed for the housewives' wash day. Once full, it slowly climbed from New Bradwell as the line prepared to cross over the . Once over the canal the railway descended to Great Linford station located at Great Linford Wharf. Lost Track DL pages final:Lost Track 18/08/2009 11:33 Page 3

Hanson Environmental Centre Formerly on the site of a gravel pit, this environmental study centre was set up to research how gravel pits could be returned to centres for conservation and Dating from Roman times wildlife. As it is a sensitive site, public and previously a Civil War access is limited to organised school visits, garrison town and pre-booked groups and permit holders. terminus for the branch railway line, Newport is a busy market town with Black Horse pub specialist shops, leisure Near this location was facilities, parks and Great Linford Wharf, riverside walks. where goods were unloaded and taken along the arm to Newport Pagnell and Eastern Section surrounding area. Great Linford to Newport Pagnell Great Linford station was really only used by workers and schoolchildren, especially in the later years when buses and other road traffic became widespread. Newport Pagnell was the terminus of the line and although attempts were made from 1865 to extend the line to Olney, financial problems saw the line only reach Bury Field and the project was abandoned. The branch line survived through the wars thanks to the goods yard at Newport Pagnell but decreasing use finally led to its closure. The last passenger train left Newport Pagnell on 5th September 1964. Lost Track DL pages final:Lost Track 18/08/2009 11:33 Page 4

Please note some events also open on Heritage Open Days Events along the Railway Walk Route other days. Check website for details.

Western Section Mid Section Eastern Section

l Milton Keynes Museum l Bradwell Windmill Open Day l Exhibition McConnell Drive, Wolverton, MK12 5EL Mill Lane/Nightingale Crescent, New Bradwell, MK13 Library, St John Street, Newport Pagnell, MK16 8HQ Sat 11am-4.30pm Sat 11.30am-4pm Sat 9am-1pm Museum of local history featuring Victorian house, street Rare opening of one of the most unusual and important Aston Martin & Newport Pagnell – exhibition highlighting of shops, telephones, ww2 garden, transport & farming. heritage buildings in Milton Keynes. Guides available. the town’s links with the prestige car manufacturer. l Discover Milton Keynes Revisited at l New Bradwell Heritage Group Open Day l Newport Pagnell Historical Society Milton Keynes Museum Community Centre, Church St, new Bradwell, MK13 0DA Museum McConnell Drive, Wolverton, MK12 5EL Sat 10am-4.30pm, Guided walks at 10.30am & 2.30pm Chandos Hall, Silver St, Newport Pagnell, MK16 0EW Sat 11am-4.30pm Local exhibition, family history. Bring along your old new Sat 2-4.30pm Another chance to see many recent exhibitions from the Bradwell photos to make a free calendar. Refreshments. Fun and Games in newport Pagnell exhibition. Museum Living Archive and Discover Milton Keynes Showcase. l Artworks-MK demos & open studios located in historic hall. Artefacts, information and stories. l Roman Day artworks-MK, Parklands, Gt Linford, K14 5DZ Bancroft Roman Villa (Car park in Constantine Way) Sat 10am-4pm Sat 10.30am-1pm Free admission with booklet/voucher Exhibition/Open Studios. Free workshops; activities, Step back in time and celebrate the roman era in Milton bicycle bazaar, craft, vintage & homemade goods for sale. Keynes. Voucher at: www.mkheritageopendays.com l Camphill Community Centre Open Day l Wolverton Park Heritage Open Day Japonica lane, Willen Park South, K15 9JY Old Wolverton Road, Old Wolverton, MK12 5QB Sat 2-5pm Camphill Open Day. See workshops in action, buy Sat 11am-4pm For full listings on all venues and events go to: produce. Café on site. Stunning new wooden Chrysalis Historic former railway shed that once housed the royal www.mkheritageopendays.com train – now a mixed use community. theatre. Lost Track DL pages final:Lost Track 18/08/2009 11:33 Page 5

Railway Walk – Timeline of Selected Dates

Aston Martin 1954 1959 1964 1967 1970-78 Artworks-MK 1988 Took over the works of First section from London Last passenger train runs 22,000 acres of North Heritage organisations established across Artists studios opened in Salmons and son (circa to Rugby opens. 5th September. Line the city, the basis of heritage provision today Great Linford. 1910). closed. designated to become and at Stacey Hill Farm (now Milton Keynes new Milton Keynes. Museum). made.

1817 1838 1851 1860 1863 1865 1866 1871 1872 1875 Grand Union Canal LNWR create railway Wolverton Wolverton reaches Wolverton to Newport Pagnell to Line opens to New Bradwell Olney Extension: NPRC disbands after – arm extended between London population reaches its limit. Land Newport Pagnell Olney (extension) Newport Pagnell for extended to 500 lines laid as far as selling the line to from Great Linford and Birmingham 1,600 thanks to purchased at Railway Act passed announced. goods traffic. houses and 2,500 Bury Field, Newport the LNWR to Newport Pagnell. with central station Works. Bradwell for through Parliament Wolverton to Passenger trains people. Pagnell but Company. at Wolverton for additional railway by NPRC. Canal arm Newport Pagnell begin a year later. problems see the Bradwell Windmill train checks and workers housing. closed and basin at arm of the Grand project abandoned built from local repairs. Wolverton New Bradwell Newport Pagnell Union Canal in 1875. limestone. In use Works founded. formed as a result. filled in to provide purchased for until 1871. large goods yard. railway and work LNWR = London North Western Railway begins. NPRC = Newport Pagnell Railway Company

4000BC 2000-800BC 43 –450AD 1300 –1400 1400 –1700 1700-1800 Stone tools found on the Bancroft On the present day site of Blue Roman occupation of Britain. site of 12th century St Andrew’s church at Great Linford Mail coaches and dominate. Mausoleum site are evidence of Bridge stood an imposing round Development of Bancroft Villa. Over Benedictine Priory with buildings dates to 14th century. The Manor opens 1800 activity during the Neolithic – house. This building was part of a several hundred years the villa including the 14th century Cruck House dates to the 17th century. (renamed Garand Union in 1929). a traverse (chisel) shaped arrow Late Bronze Age/Early Iron Age developed into a large complex of Barn and Pilgrim’s Chapel. Later The Lord Mayor of London, Sir head used for hunting birds and farmstead and was home to the buildings. The villa was adjacent to farm buildings added in 17th William Pritchard, built the core of two ground stone axes. first permanent settlers in the area. the Roman road Watling Street (A5). century. the present Manor House in 1678.

All images subject to copyright. With thanks to Milton Keynes Heritage Association, Centre for Buckinghamshire Studies. lll