The name ‘Willen’ comes from the old English word ‘wylig’ meaning ‘at the willows’.
Before the creation of the lake and local expansion of housing development for the new town of Milton Keynes, this would have been an apt description for the small village situated next to the meandering river Ouzel with its border of willow trees. In the 1960s, Willen comprised a church, a vicarage, two big farms, around a dozen cottages and the last remnants of a watermill.
The new housing in Willen has been tastefully blended with the old and the village still has a very restful and rural feel about it.
Local facilities include Willen Pavilion, a doctor’s surgery, pharmacy, Sainsbury’s, the Ship Ashore Public house and a variety of small retail units. It is also home to Willen Hospice.
The estate is served by Willen Primary School, Beaufort Drive, Willen, MK15 9HN T 01908 690 098
