Woughton on the Green

Introduction

Woughton on the Green is one of the most historically significant landscapes in Milton Keynes. The area contains the remains of a medieval “shrunken village”, preserved through visible earthworks such as ridge-and-furrow fields, hollow-ways, crofts and former house platforms. St Mary’s Church serves as the only surviving medieval structure, acting as an architectural anchor. The moated manor and former fishponds provide additional insight into manorial life. Today, the site sits within Ouzel Valley Park, allowing visitors to walk through a historic rural landscape. 

Woughton on the Green is the historic heart of the Woughton area in south-central Milton Keynes. The village dates back to at least the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appeared under the name Ulchetone, meaning “Eoca’s farm”. By the 12th century, the manor belonged to the Verley family, and by the 18th century it became known as Woughton on the Green, named after its distinctive central village green. Remains of medieval and later settlement can still be seen today through visible earthworks and preserved plough marks. 

The surrounding cottages and buildings around the green date mostly from the 16th and 17th centuries, constructed in traditional timber-framed style with handmade bricks and thatched or tiled roofs. Woughton House itself was built on the early 1800s as a Georgian manor, and its parkland still includes traces of the medieval village landscape. Farming continued here until the 1970s when Milton Keynes was developed as a new city and the fields were converted into open parkland. Today, Woughton on the Green is a quiet and picturesque enclave preserved by surrounding green spaces, particularly the Ouzel Valley Park, offering a glimpse into the area’s rural past. 

Did you know?

Woughton on the Green has a building called Woughton House which was used a military base during WWII. Nowadays, Woughton House is used as a hotel/inn for overnight stays. 

Fact

Ye Old Swan was a monumentary building in the 20th century and it was often used as a public hotspot for social interactions where there was a pitch next to the pub where sports such as hockey were played. The inn also had a pub which was used by the adults. 

Spooky Fact

Reports have been made about paranormal activity and ghosts sightings which have morphed into ghost takes that have been spread around. 

St Mary’s Church

St Mary’s Church, standing proudly at the edge of the green, is the only remaining medieval building from the original village. The church is one of the oldest standing buildings in the area and has been continuously in use since the 12th century. The ruins can still be viewed today, so go take a look!