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South East England

Loughton and Great Holm

Grand Union Canal Towpath – The Three Locks loop from Milton Keynes Central

Routes

Bike touring routes & trails

United Kingdom

England

South East England

Loughton and Great Holm

Grand Union Canal Towpath – The Three Locks loop from Milton Keynes Central

Moderate

4.7

(16)

riders

Grand Union Canal Towpath – The Three Locks loop from Milton Keynes Central

02:48

41.5km

150m

Cycling

Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: May 27, 2026

Waypoints

Start point

Train Station

Get Directions

10.1 km

Grand Union Canal Near Milton Keynes

Highlight • Trail

Nice and quiet, but towpath partly very narrow and bumpy.

Tip by

12.8 km

The Eight Lock Pub, Grand Union Canal

Highlight • Pub

This route offers a great way to enjoy the delights of the canal system.
The Grand Union Canal links Bletchley to the ancient market town of Leighton Buzzard.

Tip by

15.8 km

Grand Union Canal: Old Linslade to Globe Bridge

Highlight (Segment) • Bridge

This segment of the canal is quite rural in character despite being close to Linslade/Leighton Buzzard. You will often see Heron's waiting patiently and if you approach quietly you stand a good chance of getting close.

Tip by

17.3 km

Globe Inn to Twelve Arches Weir

Highlight (Segment) • Pub

This scenic section with a lock segment is popular with walkers and cyclists heading from Leighton Buzzard Town to the Globe Inn.

Twelve Arches Weir (originally built with 12 arches, later expanded to 15) discharges overflow water from the Grand Union into the River Ouzel - quite an impressive sight after heavy rain.

Tip by

18.5 km

Grand Union Canal Towpath

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

Often busy with children feeding ducks, walkers enjoying the canalscape or moored boats heading to Tesco Supermarket or the town. If you want a quicker route take Vimy Road or one of the cycle paths ether side of the River Ouzel

Tip by

20.6 km

Old Works Railway Track by the Canal

Highlight • Structure

This was used to carry aggregate from the nearby works to the canal.

Tip by

22.8 km

Grand Union Canal and Twelve Arches Weir

Highlight • Cycleway

The Grand Union Canal was once one of the most important waterways in Britain, carrying goods between London and Birmingham. The canal travels 137 miles (220 km) in total, with 166 locks. After the introduction of the railway and lorries, the waters were no longer needed for business and commercial trade stopped completely in the 1970s.

Today, the canal is a peaceful waterway carrying pleasure boats gently downstream. Joggers, cyclists and walkers enjoy the well-maintained tow path along its banks. The canal is a haven for wildlife, too.

Tip by

28.1 km

The Three Locks

Highlight • Rest Area

A nice pub near Stoke Hammond and Soulbury that sits next the canal. Great food and very friendly staff. Lots of outside seating available and a bike rack out the front.

From here you can take the towpath north to Milton Keynes or south to Leighton Buzzard

Tip by

41.5 km

End point

Train Station

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

26.8 km

8.69 km

3.18 km

1.65 km

1.18 km

Surfaces

27.6 km

10.8 km

1.94 km

898 m

240 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Weather

Saturday 11 July

28°C

16°C

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Grand Union Canal Towpath – The Three Locks loop from Milton Keynes Central

Grand Union Canal Near Milton Keynes

The Eight Lock Pub, Grand Union Canal

Grand Union Canal: Old Linslade to Globe Bridge

Globe Inn to Twelve Arches Weir

Grand Union Canal Towpath

Old Works Railway Track by the Canal

Grand Union Canal and Twelve Arches Weir

The Three Locks

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