What shall we do in Milton Keynes?

[fuzzpig]

We won't have long there, we are going mainly for Bletchley Park (actually giddy with excitement here!) but would have the best part of a day spare...

Probably be 2 adults, 2 16yos, 7 and 5yo, no car.

Anything else worth seeing?

Loads to do, mostly active and physical!
Aerial extreme (like Go Ape) at Willen lake
Canoeing at Willen lake
Indoor skydiving at Airkix in XScape in central MK.
Also in XScape us a real snow ski slope - good for tubing, skiing, snowboarding.

I live near Bluewater in Kent but try to do at least a couple of these per year when visiting rellies.

I'm sure someone local will be along to advise in a minute. Have fun.

You could easily spend two days at Bletchley Park if you enjoy it - your admission ticket lasts for a year, so no extra money to do that.

Excellent charity shops in Bletchley, but not a lot else.

Without a car is a bit of a pain in MK because the public transport is pretty rubbish, what with it all having been designed to be great for cars.

Having said that, there are direct buses from Bletchley to central MK and from there you can walk to the Indoor Skydiving or XScape (get off on the last town-centre stops at the far end of the shopping centre, or ask the bus driver). There's also a small but very good modern art gallery near there (MK Gallery) and of course an enormous shopping centre - The Centre MK. There's usually an indoor beach just outside John Lewis in the summer, but it wasn't there the other day so may not be happening this year, but if it is, that would be great for parking the younger kids while the older ones and one adult go shopping. There's a pirate-themed crazy golf course inside The Centre too.

Woburn Safari Park is pretty close and another fantastic very full day out - you could get a taxi to it. But it's very pricey unless you have Tesco vouchers or something.

Hope you have fun!

If you are going this week, there is the International Festival www.ifmiltonkeynes.org/home.html

Ah sadly not til 9th August but thank you!

Great info everyone thanks. Lots of possibilities! Shame about the public transport though.

Anyone know about Gullivers theme park? The website made it look a bit babyish but what's it like?

I expect DH would happily live at spend the whole weekend at BP :o it does look brilliant.

Haven't actually been away since... erm... Well DD and I had a night away in Rochester for a wedding in 2012. So it will be exciting no matter what I reckon :o

Also lovage (or anyone else) I did start a separate thread but as presumably you've spent time at Bletchley do you happen to know of any decent books with info on Turing, the code breaking etc that are aimed at children? I would love to read a bit with DD before we go.

I'm afraid I don't - we just go there and talk about it! They have special kids activities on in the holidays on Weds, but that doesn't help you unfortunately if you are going on the 9th. There's a big shop with loads of themed books and toys, so you could certainly take some away for reading afterwards (also bargainaceous Alan Turing cufflinks, if your DH ever wears them).

Don't miss the excellent new kids' playground at Bletchley Park - we nearly did and it was the highlight of the kids' visit. There's a giant chess set if your 16 year olds play.

I haven't been to Gullivers Land for more than 10 years. I think your 16 yr olds would not have much fun - it is designed to be a younger-kids theme park.

If you are going into central MK, don't get the train from Bletchley, because that gets you to the wrong end of the centre from the shopping centre and Xscape and so on.

Sounds like you'll have fun whatever. Hooray for holidays!

So excited :o

The Wednesday thing was actually what prompted us - we originally planned to go tues-thurs and expected the hotel (premier inn) to be cheaper midweek - but actually it's about £100 cheaper to go sat-mon instead?!

DH doesn't wear cuff links but I think dad does so I could get him some for Xmas! :o

Thanks for all the tips

Your littler ones would like Gullivers, but not the 16 year olds - I think it's aimed at under 10s. It is however, very near Willen Lake, so if you didn't mind splitting your family the older ones could do water sports/climbing adventure thingy, and you could all meet up later for a walk/adventure golf.

TBH if the weather is nice you could easily spend a day at Willen - as well as the adventurous stuff, there is a decent playground, nice walks round the lake (with fitness trail), a maze ..., can also walk over to Campbell Park which has an interesting art trail and things to look out for. ACtually if you don't mind walking you can walk town-Willen via Campbell Park!

Ooh, an art trail? 7yo and I are art-mad. Spending time in parks is an enticing option, not least because of the lack of expense (presumably they are free to go in?!) 16yos love walking round lakes and stuff too.

Maze and fitness trail sound great too. Adventure golf always a winner :o

Art Trail www.theparkstrust.com/downloads/walk-10--woolstone-campbell-park-art-trail.pdf (you obviously can just wander at will and don't need to follow this).

Orienteering (if that is of interest) It is easy enough for even the little ones, and adds a bit of purpose to a walk! www.theparkstrust.com/downloads/self-guided-walks-and-outings/Willen_CampbellPark_Permanent.pdf

Campbell and Willen Parks both free to get into (you just pay to park, though obviously not an issue for you!)

Thanks! We were going to stay at furzton lake but looks like there's another premier inn at willen lake too, so we might book there instead once we've looked at all the distances etc - it might make more sense if we are going to have a park day.

Orienteering sounds fab, both my DCs are obsessed with maps at the moment and DSDs would enjoy it too!

Yay this is taking shape :o I love MN! Thanks all

Lovage thanks for info about trains. I know bletchley park now do that British rail 2for1 entry offer but need to work out if it's worthwhile doing the short train journey - getting to the station might end up being more hassle/expense than it saves, depending on which hotel we end up at.

Have spent the afternoon planning! 24 hours ago I was grumpy as I didn't think we'd be able to go anywhere so I'm really excited now :o

Excellent! Now that's a good MN outcome.

We've changed it slightly! We opted for travelodge instead as it's cheaper, also got a railcard which more than pays for itself in train fare saving, and as a result can now afford 3 nights instead of 2! :o

We will do one day at Bletchley Park and the other will be based around Campbell Park and Willen Lake (much easier as we won't need to drag the bags with us!

Feels like a proper little holiday now :)

Go to the Milton Keynes Museum

Thanks everyone :)

Bumping for a cheeky question - anyone know about what food is available at bletchley park? The website mentions a cafe but not much detail, wondering if it's going to be an expensive place. Need to keep costs down so wondering if there's an alternative. DH and DSD are coeliac too so not keen to rely on cafe sandwiches!