Caldecotte, Milton Keynes

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This article refers to the area in southern Milton Keynes. For the area north east of the city, see Caldecote, Milton Keynes.

Caldecotte is a district in the parish of Walton, Milton Keynes that includes the site of an ancient village of the same name. It is also includes the larger part of Caldecotte Lake, an important balancing lake that manages flood water on the River Ouzel just as it enters Milton Keynes. The lake is used by a number of local clubs for rowing and other water sports.

Caldecotte Lake

The place name is fairly common in England, and is Old English meaning "cold cottage". This refers to a resting place for travellers or other strangers on the road. The original Northampton to London road (modern Brickhill Street) runs nearby, just short of its junction with Watling Street (itself a major route in continuous use since Roman times). The village declined when the Northampton road was rerouted in 1728 through Broughton and Woburn to join the Watling Street at Hockliffe.

Recent building work taking place in Caldecotte has been criticised by many locals^[who?] for blocking the view of the lake which initially attacted them to the properties. The construction of such houses they argue, was not explained to them during the buying process.^{[citation needed]}