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Road directions
From the M1, Junction 13: Exit and follow the A421 towards Milton Keynes, at the first roundabout, take the 1st exit (signposted Woburn Sands). Follow this road, Newport Road / A5130, round until you see the crossing gates.
From the A5: Take the exit sign posted A421, and at the round about on top of the A5 (Readmoor Roundabout), take either the V6 "Grafton Street" or H9 "Groveway". Note this roundabout is likely to be busy, as it's the main access to the new IKEA, ASDA and football ground. If taking the V6 exit, at the next round about, take the 3rd exit along V8 "Standing Way", and continue right along this road until it meets the round-about detailed in the M1 directions (i.e. continue until you see a sign post for Woburn Sands). The same applies with the H9 exit, which meets at the aforementioned roundabout.
Parking
Woburn Sands station doesn't have any parking of its own, so the best place to park is along Cranfield Road which can be found just before the crossing barrier on the left if approaching from the north. There is a long lay-by at the start of this road, which gives easy access to all the foot crossings and station.
Public transport
The station is served by hourly trains from Bedford and Bletchley. MK Metro service 8 also operates every 30 minutes from Milton Keynes station-note alternate journeys serve Bletchley and do not go to Woburn Sands. Once there the station is a short walk back along Cranfield Road, and access to either of the platforms is from Newport Road.
The footpath to the west of the station can be gained from a field entrance just to the north of the station - although this isn't an official footpath, the route is well used by local dog walkers. The official footpath, which crosses this, is just past the end of the trees to the south. Follow this south for a short while, crossing the stiles on either side of the line. In wet weather this footpath can become muddy, so suitable footwear should be worn.
The 1st foot crossing to the east of the station is just off Cranfield Road, just as the road turns northward. There is tarmac access to this and through the crossing.
The 2nd foot crossing is a short walk from Cranfield Road. Continuing past the 1st footpath just as the road turns northward there is a small alley which continues through to Vandyke Close. Continue through Vandyke Close and at the eastern most extent of the road is a clearly marked footpath across fields. Follow this footpath until you reach the line. In wet weather this footpath can become muddy, so suitable footwear should be worn.
The 3rd foot crossing is accessed from the 2nd. After crossing the line at the 2nd foot crossing, follow the path across and up the field and you should see the exit of the footpath on the right. This footpath leads to a private road within the Woburn Sands Golf course. Follow this road north for a short while take the first turning on the left past the farm. Just before the road enters the old Woburn Sands water works, is another stile and crossing along the field. Follow this path, and the foot crossing is quite high up on the line. Be careful not to enter the old water works as they are not safe, and there is no shot to be had.
Amenities
There are no amenities on the station but there is a public house very close, and many shops in the main part of Woburn Sands. To the north of the station, a short walk, are two garden centres with toilets and a fairly good restaurant.
The Bedford Bletchley line is running mainly east-west, but slightly south-east to north-west at this point. Photography is probably best in the morning for east bound traffic, and best in the afternoon for west bound traffic. The station is a nice shot, but light can be a problem in winter due to the trees and other buildings in the area. There has been a timing problem of late where the barriers haven't lowered before the freight on Saturday morning is due to cross, so the train is slowed to just before the station, and then opens up through the station as the barriers are eventually lowered - with nice effect. The barriers closing and attendant buzzer indicates the arrival of trains. The road these barriers protect can be quite busy at times, and the drivers in the area aren't known for their patience, so videoing may include the sound of revving engines.
The foot crossing to the west of the station is in quite a wooded area, which makes a nice backdrop during the summer but presents many shadow problems in the winter. Most of the east bound trains are slowing at this point.
The foot crossing to the east of the station is in a built-up area, but it is possible to get shots of the train passing through the barriers as it makes its way towards Bedford. There is a large row of Conifers to the east of this crossing making an effective sun block.
The 2nd foot crossing to the east of the station is in a lightly wooded area, and which provides nice dappled patterns in the summer, and nice foliage in the autumn, but again can be problems in winter and spring. To take photographs in this location you must be on the inside of the fence, although still on the crossing, as the fence is too far back.
The 3rd foot crossing to the east of the station is on a raised embankment, which provides a lot of light, especially during the winter months. As with the 2nd foot crossing, one must be inside the fence to take a shot, as the fence starts at the foot of the embankment.
