Campbell Park


Campbell Park is the name of the central park for Milton Keynes and an electoral ward of the civil parish of Central Milton Keynes..
The park is listed "due to its historic interest and innovative architectural design".

The park

The park, part of Central Milton Keynes civil parish, takes up the larger part of the district. It was named in honour of the first chairman of Milton Keynes Development Corporation, Jock Campbell, Baron Campbell of Eskan. It is accessed from Central Milton Keynes#West of [Marlborough Street, east of Saxon Gate: the main retail/service/entertainment district|the main retail/service/entertainment district] at the end of Midsummer Boulevard by a footbridge over the Marlborough Street cutting. From here, the park slopes downwards to the Grand Union Canal. A junction between the Grand Union and a new Bedford & Milton Keynes Waterway is proposed for this area.
The park is listed by Historic England, and had previously attracted praise in the Pevsner Architectural Guides:

Milton Keynes Rose

The Rose, at the west end of the park and nearest to the MK's central business district, "is a public space designed for commemoration, celebration and contemplation". As well as a central Cenotaph, the installation includes markers for a wide variety of historical events.
When Queen Elizabeth II died in September 2022, the MK Rose was used by locals as a place to lay floral tributes.

Belvedere and the ''Light Pyramid''

Leading east from the Rose, the Belvedere is level path leading to the Light Pyramid, a sculptural beacon designed by Liliane Lijn. The ground on either side falls away so that most of the path is on an increasingly elevated embankment.

Events plateau and amphitheatre

These spaces are used for community events and biennially for IF: Milton Keynes, the Milton Keynes International Festival.
This area is also known for hosting Milton Keynes-based events such as India Day and the African Diaspora Foundation Festival.
The amphitheatre has also hosted concerts featuring acts such as Steps, Paloma Faith, and Will Young.

Cricket ground

Campbell Park Cricket Ground and its pavilion lie at the east end of the park, near the Grand Union Canal.

Parks Trust headquarters

The Milton Keynes Parks Trust has its headquarters building at the eastern end of the park, near the cricket ground.