Milton Keynes - what are the must areas to see?

[Rollinghills30]

Thanks to the wonderful responses to my previous post, we have decided to look at Milton Keynes - with a view to moving there in the nearish future. It seems to tick most of our boxes -

Good commute
Facilities
Shopping
Access to walking countryside (ideally within 10-15 minute drive of house)
Schools and clubs

We would like to visit for the weekend soon so any suggestions as to where to stay overnight would be most appreciated. We stayed in a Premier Inn there once and it was the worst we had been too - really old and run down (which surprised us, given his 'new' most of MK is!) It was a few years ago so perhaps it has been updated?

We didn't look around MK, other than to go to the John Lewis so please could I ask for 'must see' places to add to my list. They don't have to be scenic - but places that will give us a well rounded view of every day life in MK. Things like nice housing estates, surrounding villages, supermarket, swimming pool, primary/secondary schools, hospital, things for children etc I know I won't have time for everything but some starting points would be great. Not decided on central or outskirts as it would depend on commute time so would look at both.

If anyone can suggest a place in the countryside outside of MK for a round walk then I'd be really grateful as getting out for walks is really important to us as a family. Stiles and cows, rather than man made parks/lakes (although this is also good for everyday life of course!)

Thank you!

Agree with ItMustBeBedtime, I live in Linslade and work in MK. Milton Keynes is great for shops but in terms of living, we've been very impressed with Leighton Buzzard (moved in last August). It's a much more market-y town than I expected and although we don't have dc yet, seems to be lots happening for families and good schools. Takes me 20 mins driving from home to central MK (office is right next to the big shopping centre, dangerously!) so it's very quick and easy to get to. Plus commuting to London is (I think, don't do it regularly) quite a bit cheaper but only about 9 mins south on the train. Happy investigating!

I live near Leighton Buzzard. I wanted to live in a village so vetoed it for me. But the house prices are really good value there, it has good amenities in terms of a choice of supermarkets, usual high-street shops like Boots etc. The train link to London and MK is fast and it is on the doorstep of fantastic countryside. The town centre feels slightly bleak to me but I think it is one of those places that is on the up.

More picturesque but slightly further away from MK than LB are the villages in between LB and Tring station (Soulbury, Ivinghoe etc. but they are pricier). Cheddington has its own station on the MK-London line and is affordable-ish.

South Bucks I would say beaconsfield, Amersham, the Chalfonts - St. Peter st Giles and Little - Gerrards Cross although that is v v expensive. Chesham gives more for your money.

Thank you so much for further replies. Random I totally hear you re hills - I'm a bit worried about that! We live in South Downs though and for some reason I just don't get it! Feel as though I'm either at the bottom of it looking up and feeling a bit closed in or at the top where it really is quite a boring stretch - and frequently you can hear the roar of the A3. Not a patch on the Peak District imo. I can see pretty countryside around MK and LB though - Yardley Gobion etc And LOTS of footpaths. Can see lots of circular routes which is so hard where we are because so much of it is privately owned land

I will definitely look at LB too. Chesham and surrounding towns are just not possible on our budget (600K max for 4 bed). Does LB have a decent swimming pool?

So appreciate all the information on travel times etc - sorry I can't remember all your usernames! You are such a helpful bunch!

I know a few Scandiwegians, and they all love MK! This has reminded me of one of my favourite footnotes:

"Note for Americans and other aliens: Milton Keynes is a new city
approximately halfway between London and Birmingham. It was built to be
modern, efficient, healthy, and, all in all, a pleasant place to live.
Many Britons find this amusing." -- T.Pratchett and N.Gaiman, Good Omens

I love that quote MsRinky - I must show DH! Interesting to hear your take on other 'scandiwegians' too DH has always liked it. I wasn't so sure but, having spent more time exploring his home country, I can see now why he might feel at home there!

This is worth reading as well.

www.theguardian.com/cities/2016/may/03/struggle-for-the-soul-of-milton-keynes

Thanks MsRinky - funnily enough I read that article the other day!

I've been going to MK for yeArs and still rely on my satnav to get me out of there.

As well as Woburn - v nice imo- there is Woburn Sands, more going on, more property available and a station ( I know it's only a branch line, don't tell rollinghills) and, when I grew up there, if you lived in the Bedfordshire half of the village you went to the Leighton Buzzard schools.
I miss Milton Keynes ...

If you want ease of commute and still close to MK I recommend heading closer to Bedford and looking at villages like Biddenham, Bromham & Oakley. Biddenham for example is only 20 mins drive to MK centre, and to bike to Bedford station your looking at 10-15 mins. London commute can be as little as 40 mins. Harpur trust schools are excellent, lovely villagey feel and lots of countryside to walk in. If you want to stay closer to MK, Olney and Stoney Stratford are lovely places, but not sure about commute times.

I would also suggest looking over LB and Tring way (I too am in a village in that vicinity). They have all the small town amenities of supermarkets, banks, coffee shops and swimming pools - London Euston is 35-40 minutes away by train; MK and all its big shops, theatre, cinema only 20 mins by car. The countryside is beautiful and lots of walking space (check out Ashridge, Ivinghoe Beacon; College Lake, Rushmore Country Park).

Thanks so much for the replies. It really is so helpful!

I think the problem we face is price if we look further towards Tring area. It all seems so expensive. We have two growing dc and we really need more space. We are completely stuffed here and it's getting me down. When I look at prices over that way it seems you get a lot less for your money. But will definitely look again. LB and surrounding villages are also on list.

Cagliostro - can you tell me anymore about Shenley Church End? Are the primary/secondary schools ok? I street viewed it and much prefer the look of it to some other MK areas I've seen. More space between houses and some individually designed properties. It looked quite quiet and had some character. I know you don't live there now but any other snippets of info would be gratefully received.

I can't tell you how helpful this has been - thank you xx

In terms of visiting we've stayed in the Premier Inn South a few times and it's been ok. Not been for about 5 years though (been to MK just not stayed!). m.premierinn.com/gb/en/hotels/england/buckinghamshire/milton-keynes/milton-keynes-south.html

There is a big soft play somewhere there but I can't remember the name.

Thanks Mags - I'll have a look. Keen to avoid the one we went to last time! x

My first school was Shenley First School - which got closed to become Loughton Combined School which I think is now just a middle school and Shenley might well have its own primary now. Was 30odd years ago...

Am pretty certain the Secondary in that area is in Shenley. Was pretty ambitious - brand new in 1991 or thereabouts. Decent facilities and people tended to do a lot of GCSEs - but again massively out of date info.

The oldest bit of Loughton is an easy (if uphill) 10 minutes from the station - my Dad did it when I lived there. The older bits are much more spread out. Look at Bradwell Road, Church Lane, Leys Road. Not sure how often houses come up there tbh!

Thanks Randoms! I'll street view those roads! Had a look at Shenley Brook Secondary School which looks ok but huge!

Salcey Forest is about 25 mins north of MK. It's a wonderful Forestry Commission forest, well maintained with a selection of walks varying in length, a tree top walk and a super cafe. Well worth a trip in my opinion.

Have you considered Northamptonshire? A bit cheaper and good schools. Among other villages, can recommend Wootton - near the aforementioned Salcey Forest which is lovely.

Personally I found that Milton Keynes has no soul... Whilst there are some nice bit of nature, I always found them very secluded and unsafe. To get anywhere you have to either drive or walk through an overpass or underpass.

The centre is literally just one giant (what ever the English word is) mall.

You won't find independent shops, cafes, restaurants etc.

Whilst everything is new - Milton Keynes is only about 50 years old, a lot is very run down. As it's also the London overspill, it also means that a high percentage of council tenants are moved from London here and there are several rough estates.

When I lived there though I lived in Simpson which was on original village mentioned in the doomsday book. Which was picturesque at least.

Personally I couldn't wait to move out though. Only thing I miss is having idea down the road.