Summary of Attractions
An experiment in urban planning during the 1960s and 70s, Milton Keynes is a new town designed on a grid pattern of boulevards. This design results in a unique town layout, characterized by a high-rise central business district, an abundance of modern architecture, and an organized spatial arrangement.
Milton Keynes comprises older constituent towns and parishes, including the charming Stony Stratford and Bletchley. Bletchley is historically significant for being home to the Government Code and Cipher School, which played a crucial role in intercepting communications of the Axis Powers during the Second World War.
The town’s planned nature ensures an abundance of green spaces, housing over 20 million individual trees, complemented by numerous parks, a wealth of family-friendly attractions, and a large shopping center centrally located.
Let’s delve into the premier attractions in Milton Keynes:
1. Bletchley Park
The significance of this 19th-century estate in southern Milton Keynes cannot be overstated. During the Second World War, codebreakers, including the renowned Alan Turing, worked tirelessly to decode secret Axis communications, such as the Enigma and Lorenz ciphers. It is suspected that their ingenious efforts may have shortened the war by as much as four years.
Bletchley Park is accessible to the public, having undergone extensive refurbishment in 2014. The exhibitions thoroughly explore subjects such as Alan Turing’s contributions, the Enigma machines, the Lorenz Cipher, and Japanese codes. Visitors can enter the offices of Alan Turing and his contemporaries and view the restored Bombe computer utilized by these cryptologists.
2. National Museum of Computing
Established in 2007 at Bletchley Park, this museum is dedicated to the acquisition and restoration of historic computer systems. The site is particularly noteworthy, as Block H housed the world’s first purpose-built computer, which included six Colossus machines used for decrypting the German Lorenz cipher.
A fully restored Mark 2 Colossus from 1944 features in an exhibition that illustrates the remarkable code-breaking activities that transpired here. Additionally, a timeline of computing showcases the oldest operational digital computer, the Harwell Dekatron/WITCH from 1957, alongside other significant pieces like the Marconi Transistorised Automatic Computer and the PDP-11 air traffic control computer from the 1980s.
3. Woburn Abbey and Gardens
Dating back to 1547, the Cistercian Woburn Abbey was ceded from its monastic order to the Dukes of Bedford, who have resided there ever since. By the mid-18th century, a significant reconstruction occurred in the Palladian style, featuring three prominent architects of that era: Henry Flitcroft, Sir William Chambers, and Henry Holland.
Woburn Abbey is open for tours from Easter through October, showcasing one of the world’s premier private art collections, including works by Rembrandt, Velázquez, Murillo, Gainsborough, van Dyck, and Hans Holbein the Younger. Remarkably, the collections of Canaletto and Joshua Reynolds contain 24 and 12 pieces, respectively. Visitors can explore 24 rooms and enjoy the expansive 28 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens, including an exquisite 18th-century Chinoiserie Chinese Dairy.
The Abbey’s deer park features native species such as red and fallow deer, in addition to exotic species like sika, rusa, barasingha, milus, and chital.
4. Milton Keynes Museum
Situated in the Parish of Wolverton and Greenleys, Milton Keynes Museum occupies a Victorian model farm established for agricultural research during the industrial era. Originally constructed in the 1800s within open countryside, the site has since been integrated into Milton Keynes’ urban expansion.
The museum chronicles the history of the town and its rural surroundings from the 1800s onwards, emphasizing agriculture, industry, domestic life, and commerce. Visitors can explore historical home interiors, vintage trams, steam tractors, printing equipment, and a plethora of vintage tools.
Wolverton has hosted railway works since 1838, and the museum boasts noteworthy memorabilia from the history of rail travel. A distinct highlight is the British Telecom “Roadphone,” a transportable working handset and dial comparable in size to a truck trailer.
5. Willen Lakeside Park
Located in the eastern part of Milton Keynes, Willen Lakeside Park is a substantial open space centered around a “balancing lake” on the River Ouzel, specifically designed to manage floodwaters and mitigate damage downstream. The southern section of the lake serves as a recreation area.
Here, Wake MK offers lessons in various water sports, including wakeboarding, kitesurfing, kneeboarding, and waterskiing. Additionally, a “splash ‘n’ play” park for children features over 60 water attractions, such as a water tunnel, water cannons, and a designated water play area for toddlers. Treetop Extreme, a high ropes course, is another highlight located along the southern shore, while the north lake serves as a sanctuary for migrating aquatic birds.
6. Peace Pagoda
Overlooking the serene northern lake at Willen is the first Buddhist peace pagoda established in the western world. Constructed in 1980 by nuns and monks from the Nipponzan-Myōhōji order, the pagoda is situated adjacent to a temple and monastery.
The cherry trees surrounding the area commemorate victims of conflict, and visitors can find the One World Tree, adorned with written prayers and messages of hope. Guests may also visit the temple and explore its Japanese and Zen gardens.
7. Stony Stratford
Stony Stratford, located within the same borough, features Georgian houses and coaching inns that present a striking contrast to Milton Keynes’ grid-like structure and contemporary architecture. As the oldest settlement in Milton Keynes, it attained town status in 1215, with origins traceable to Roman times.
Stony Stratford flourished where the Roman road Watling Street forded the Great Ouse River, evolving as a significant stop on England’s coaching network prior to the railway era. Uniquely, Stony Stratford boasts approximately 350 independent businesses, and like many historic towns, it is rich in legend. The Rose and Crown Inn on High Street is claimed to be where the young King Edward V stayed before his disappearance.
To fully immerse yourself in this historic locale, obtain a “Town Walk” leaflet from the tourist office.
8. Woburn Safari Park
Located within the expansive grounds of Woburn Abbey is a 360-acre animal park where many residents inhabit large enclosures. The visit commences with a Road Safari, allowing visitors to drive through various habitats, including the Northern Plains (home to bison, zebras, and wild horses), Savannah Grasslands (where antelopes, white rhinos, and ostriches roam), and the Kingdom of the Carnivores (featuring tigers, wolves, bears, and lions).
After completing the Road Safari, a Foot Safari offers encounters with smaller animals, including ring-tailed lemurs, meerkats, and Asian short-clawed otters. It is advised to check the timetable for regular demonstrations and educational talks covering topics such as cockatoos, Humboldt penguins, and Asian elephants.
9. Milton Keynes Theatre
The Milton Keynes Theatre stands as one of England’s leading performing arts venues, having opened its doors in 1999 after 25 years of advocacy and planning. The state-of-the-art auditorium is designed to accommodate both grand productions and more intimate performances, with adjustable ceiling heights.
The theatre features productions by the Royal Shakespeare Company, stand-up shows by prominent comedians, performances by the Milton Keynes City Orchestra, blockbuster musicals, and touring tribute acts.
10. National Radio Centre
While visiting Bletchley Park, consider exploring the adjacent National Radio Centre, managed by the Radio Society of Great Britain. This exhibition provides a comprehensive overview of the history of radio communications technology.
Visitors can operate high-tech amateur radio equipment, watch educational films, undertake hands-on experiments, and engage with interactive displays. An additional exhibition highlights the Radio Society of Great Britain and showcases the crucial role of Voluntary Interceptors during the UK’s efforts in the Second World War.
11. Emberton Country Park
Situated outside of the town but within Milton Keynes Borough, Emberton Country Park encompasses 200 acres of natural parkland alongside the Great Ouse River. The park features walking and cycling trails stretching five kilometers through meadows, woodlands, and five distinct lakes.
An information center offers insights into the park’s facilities and wildlife, enhancing your exploration. All five lakes permit fishing, with permits available throughout the year, while picnic areas and dedicated barbecue spots are accessible during the summer months.
12. Xscape
Adjacent to Milton Keynes Theatre and The Centre:MK shopping mall, Xscape functions as an indoor adventure sports complex. Visitors may be surprised to discover an indoor ski resort, Snozone, featuring a slope with real snow.
Individuals can engage in freestyle skiing or snowboard lessons tailored for beginners, along with a sledding area designed for children. Additionally, iFly offers an indoor skydiving experience accessible to children over four years old. The facility also includes an 18-lane bowling alley and a Cineworld multiplex cinema, with a collection of dining options and lifestyle stores available.
13. Thrift Farm
Located on the southwest outskirts of Milton Keynes, Thrift Farm provides a hands-on experience for children to interact with various farm animals. The farm features typical breeds including chickens, pigs, donkeys, ducks, geese, goats, and sheep, along with smaller animals like guinea pigs and rabbits.
Children can enjoy a playground and an adventure course, complemented by a cafe, picnic area, and a shop offering fresh eggs laid by the farm’s chickens, ducks, and geese. The newly established market garden supplies the cafe and local establishments with seasonal produce, including tomatoes, broad beans, and courgettes.
A notable aspect of Thrift Farm is its staff, many of whom participate in a program to assist individuals with mental health challenges and learning difficulties in acquiring life and employment skills.
14. Gulliver’s Land
A theme park specifically designed for younger children (aged 2-13), Gulliver’s Land is inspired by Jonathan Swift’s satire and nestled next to Willen Lakeside Park. The park boasts over 70 attractions, offering rides, performances, and amusements tailored for toddlers and children under five.
Visitors can explore seven themed zones, including Western World and Liliput Castle, and enjoy roller coasters, giant teacups, carousels, and waterslides at the Splash Zone. The park features interactive water play installations such as sprays, cannons, and a giant tip bucket. For older children (aged six and above), the indoor NERF Zone provides safe competitive play, while adjacent to the main park, the Dinosaur and Farm Park allows interaction with lifelike animatronic dinosaurs and domestic animals for feeding and petting.
15. The Centre:MK
Milton Keynes is home to one of the UK’s 15 largest shopping malls, The Centre:MK, which encompasses over 270 retail stores and services across two interconnected complexes. First established in 1979, the original building is recognized for its avant-garde architecture, receiving Grade II listing, while expansions occurred in 2000 and 2010.
The mall is anchored by well-known department stores, including House of Fraser, John Lewis, and Marks and Spencer, with various shopping arcades adorned by impressive public artworks, such as Liliane Lijn’s kinetic sculpture in the Midsummer Arcade. The Centre:MK features a range of midmarket and upmarket fashion retailers (e.g., Cath Kidston, Hawes & Curtis) along with diverse dining options including Costa, Cafe Rouge, and Patisserie Valerie.
