Astwood and Hardmead

Welcome to Astwood & Hardmead

Who are we?

Welcome to the Astwood & Hardmead Parish Council website. Astwood & Hardmead are two villages situated within two miles of each other within a shared Civil Parish in the borough of Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire.

Our website will give you a guide to the local services, community events, security guidance and other aspects which have an influence on our rural life.

With a population of around 320 individuals , the villages work as a "community" bringing together the people with various local events being held throughout the year. These events range from fund raising, to Easter egg hunts, Harvest Supper meals, Christmas Carols in the local public house and many more!

Within Astwood we have some small businesses units with people providing a wide range of services.

The local public house (The Old Swan) is a charming thatched roof Coaching Inn dating back to the 17th century. The pub is well-worth a visit, offering a great choice of menu and having a wonderful atmosphere.

Astwood and Hardmead have 2 local churches, St Peter's grade 1 listed which dates back to the late 12th Century and St Mary' grade 1 listed and dates back to the 13th Century.

Parish Information

Astwood

St Peter's Church dates back to at least the reign of Henry the First. Held within its walls are monuments to members of the Lowndes and Cranmer familiies, both of whom were of notable stature in both local and national life. The church has undergone a number of additions and changes during its life, including a replacement of the roof following damage in WWII, and is now destined to become a private home. Further information about the church can be found at:

https://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/BKM/Astwood;

Astwood is proud of its sons and the ultimate sacrifice that they made in the great conflicts of the Twentieth Century; in each World War members of this parish gave their lives for the defence of freedom. Their sacrifices are recorded on dedications held in St Peter's Church as well as on the Roll of Honour - http://www.roll-of-honour.com/Buckinghamshire/Astwood.html

Astwood's sole Pub beautifully complements the Church of St Peter's, being a Grade II listed thatched building dating back to the 15th Century. The pub is loved by locals and visitors alike, and is well worth a visit - https://www.oldswanastwood.co.uk/

Hardmead

The name Hardmead was derived from old English for 'Heoruwulf's meadow' and the village appears in the Domesday Book of 1086 as Herulfmede. The village consists of just over 30 houses, not that much larger than back in medieval times! St Mary's Church dates back to the 13th Century with later parts from the 15th century and holds memorials to the Catesby and Shedden families. When the medieval plagues decimated the local population the village was abandoned, the moated manor house falling into ruin before being pulled down in the early 19thcentury - all that remains are parts of the moat which can be seen behind the church. The church can be visited (please collect and return the key from Home Farm, Hardmead) and services are held 3-4 times a year, see notices on the gate and around the village – all are welcome!

Local Businesses

Tailor & Drapes - Made to Measure Curtain Makers
The Old Swan - Grade II listed village pub
Owl Lodge B&B - Luxury short-break accommodation
Star Bridal Wear - Wedding Dresses and Bridesmaid outfits
Taylor & Co Property Consultants - Specialist land agents
H.I.S. Bedrooms - Bespoke handmade bedrooms
Astrum Construction - High-class builders
Seeds of Change - Extraordinary Training & Development for young people
AMD Learning & Development - Corporate Training & Development
A-Z Domestics – Domestic machinery repairs

Astwood Play Area - dog guidance

It has been brought to the attention of the Parish Council, that a dog was seen off the lead in the Astwood Play Area and the dog's deposit 💩 was picked up by the owner.

The Parish Council would like to draw your attention to the sign attached to the post as you enter the play area, stating that dogs are not allowed in the play area and must be tied up at the designated tie up rings. These are just inside the entrance, one on the left and one on the right hand side.

If you have any question please do not hesitate to get in touch via www.astwoodandhardmead.co.uk/parish-council

Thank you - Teresa Giddings

Dog owners - a request

Traffic Congestion - M1 J14 & Newport Pagnell

On behalf of all residents of Astwood, please can we remind the dog owners, and dog walkers in the village to:

1. Ensure that you pick up any mess that your dog makes (bag it, take it home and dispose, or make use of the dog-pooh bins which have been provided for the purpose);

2. Keep your dogs on a lead where appropriate, including when using the Permissive Path;

3. If your dog is off of the lead, please monitor what it is doing / where it is, so that you can collect any mess it makes.

Recently there have been several occurrences of dog-fouling on the pavements in the village - this is unacceptable, unhygenic and unnecessary. Please have respect for your fellow-villagers by cleaning up after your dog.

Traffic Congestion - M1 J14 & Newport Pagnell

M1 Junction 13 - 16 upgrade

The M1 is being upgraded to an ALR (All Lanes Road) - as a result there is quite a degree of traffic disruption / congestion around J14. Please see the website for details of disruption and closures.

Milton Keynes Council are undertaking general maintenance on Tickford Bridge; this is scheduled to run between July & November 2022. Please click here for the diversion information.

Local Road closures

Government Advice - Cost of living support

There is a high number of construction and traffic improvement schemes operating in the Milton Keynes area currently. Please use the OneNetwork (https://one.network/uk ) website to check on your journey.

Government Advice - Cost of living support

Please take a look at the following link (here) to access the range of support that the Government is offering to assist with the current elevated cost of living.

Demand Responsive Transport

Demand Responsive Transport (DRT) begins in Milton Keynes on 1st April 2021.

This new ‘MK Connect’ service is replacing many of the routes that the Council currently pays for and will be provided by Via.

More information on which routes are impacted can be found at https://www.getsmartertravelmk.org/on-board/demand-responsive-transport

MK Connect works like a minibus that comes when you want, where you want — book a ride

straight from your phone, get picked up in minutes, and be dropped within a short walk of your destination.

Passengers with a wheelchair or disability will always be matched with a fully accessible vehicle,

and the service is accessible to passengers with vision, hearing and other requirements.

Service hours: Monday-Saturday 6am-11pm.

Sunday 9am-6pm.

Price: £3.50 during peak hours (7am-9am,

4.30pm-6.30pm), £2.50 at all other times.

Concessionary cards and AllinOne cards will be accepted on DRT at the same times as on buses.

Welcome to Astwood & Hardmead

Welcome to Astwood & Hardmead

Astwood Permissive Path - November 2023

A509 Extended Closure - Sept 2023 to Sept 2024

Welcome to Astwood & Hardmead

Who are we?

Parish Information

Astwood Play Area - dog guidance

Dog owners - a request

Traffic Congestion - M1 J14 & Newport Pagnell

Traffic Congestion - M1 J14 & Newport Pagnell

Traffic Congestion - M1 J14 & Newport Pagnell

Traffic Congestion - M1 J14 & Newport Pagnell

Traffic Congestion - M1 J14 & Newport Pagnell

Local Road closures

Government Advice - Cost of living support

Government Advice - Cost of living support

Government Advice - Cost of living support

Government Advice - Cost of living support

Government Advice - Cost of living support

Demand Responsive Transport

Handy mini guides

Astwood Permissive Path

Important quick tips

Contact Us

Getting in touch is easy, just fill in the contact form below. Your email will be sent to the Parish Council clerk