CITY 

Introduction:  Milton Keynes is located in the north of Buckinghamshire and is the only city in that county. It has a current population of approx. 280,000. Lying 50 miles north west of London it has good access to all major centres of the country.

Brief History:  Archaeological evidence shows human settlements in the area dating back to 2000BC.

In the Middle Ages there was to be found a village called Middleton. In the 13th century the de Cahaines family became known as the lords of the manor and these two names eventually became Milton Keynes.

In 1967 the government decided to create a new city with an eventual population of 250k. The new city would incorporate the existing towns of Bletchley and Wolverton. The new city was based on a grid system, unusual for the UK. As the area developed it attracted many industrial and financial companies. The city is also home to the Open University.

One of its well known features were concrete cows placed in the centre of the many roundabouts.

Eventually Milton Keynes was granted city status in 2022.

Things to Do: 

There are a good range of activities across the city, many cultural and sports centred.

(Suggest you check websites etc to check attractions are still open.)

Bletchley Park This country house and garden became famous for being the home of WW2 code breakers and is one of the most interesting places to visit in the country. It is now open as a museum where you can see the machines used by the likes of Alan Turing to break the important Enigma Code, which greatly helped in defeating the axis allies. As well as touring the house and garden, there is a cafe and gift shop. Booking is advised or you can pay on arrival. Check their website for opening hours and other information.

Milton Keynes Museum Based at Wolverton this museum is dedicated to the history and people of Milton Keynes. Check out their website for further information.

National Film and Sci Fi Museum. Among the interesting things in this museum are props and displays from well known films etc such as Star Wars, Red Dwarf, Doctor Who and Star Trek. There is also an adjacent arcade area where retro fun can be had by all.

There is also the MK Gallery, art gallery and the National Bowl, a 65000 open air venue for large scale events.

Sport:

Apart from MK Dons professional football, you can find in door rock climbing at Big Rock Hub.

Indoor skiing, snowboarding and sledging at Snozone.

Aqua Parcs water fun for all the family.

Ice Hockey at Planet Ice.

Formula One motor racing at nearby Silverstone.

Add to these the National Badminton Centre and IFly indoor sky flying facility.

Night Life:

Night club numbers across the country have dropped since covid. We understand a couple are still open in the city, Popworld and Pink Punters (LGBT) There are also some good bars and pubs across the city and neighbouring areas. Among them is Rumble Rooms where you can find axe throwing.

There is the Milton Keynes Theatre and two multiplex cinemas. The MK Gallery also includes an arts cinema.

The Stables is a venue for jazz, blues, folk, rock etc.

Eating Out:

Many cuisines can be found across the city, including British, Caribbean, Turkish, French, Vietnamese etc.

You may find what you are looking for in Lloyds Court Shopping Centre which has a good selection of eateries.

There are also numerous pubs, gastropubs, cafes, hotels etc selling meals.

Google “Eating places in Milton Keynes” to get a good selection of what is on offer.

Shopping:

Apparently the city is the 12th largest in UK for total shopping area. The city has three centres, Centre:MK (which houses John Lewis), Milton Keynes City Centre and Midsummer Place. Each of these have good parking and served by public transport. The first two also have outdoor markets.

There are also a number of retail parks including Central Retail Park, Oak Park and Winterhill.

Bletchley and Wolverton have their own shopping areas.

Accommodation:

Rooms are available across the whole of the city from luxury, world renowned chains down to budget hotels. You should find a level of price to suit your pocket.

Google “Places to stay in Milton Keynes” for a big selection.

Transport: 

Buses: Across the city all areas are covered by the bus system. The routes are operated by a few different bus company’s including Stagecoach and Arriva.

There are bus hubs at Centre:MK, and Milton Keynes, Bletchley and Wolverton stations, plus Milton Keynes University Hospital.

Beyond the city boundaries buses also connect to Northampton, Luton, Luton Airport, Bedford, Newport Pagnell, Oxford and Aylesbury.

For further information Google Milton Keynes Bus Timetables and Maps.

You can also use National Express coaches to London from the city.

Road: Virtually in the centre of England the city is connected to all areas by road.

The M1 runs through the east flank of the town from London and Luton and continues to Northampton, Leicester, Nottingham/Derby, Sheffield, Leeds, York, Teeside, Tyneside and Edinburgh.

To the east of Coventry the M6 branches to Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Stoke, Manchester/Liverpool, Preston, Carlisle and Glasgow.

Using the motorway network, South Wales and South West England via M5 and Oxford and Southern England can be reached via M42. The East of England can also be reached via A11 and A14.

Railway: Milton Keynes Central, Wolverton and Bletchley stations lie on and are served by the West Coast Railway. This links London, MK, Coventry, Birmingham, Manchester/Liverpool, Preston, Carlisle, Glasgow and Edinburgh. Any of those cities can link to other routes/stations in their areas.

Their is also a local route from Bletchley to Bedford.

Air: Birmingham International, approximately 50 miles away can be reached by rail or road from Milton Keynes.

Luton Airport can be linked easily using bus or car.

Taxis: There are half a dozen taxi services operating throughout the city plus a couple of companies specialising in Airport runs.

Further info can be obtained via Google.