21 of the Best Things to Do in Milton Keynes

Milton Keynes is a young modern city, although it includes historic market towns such as Stony Stratford and Olney. It has the benefits of city life with tonnes to do but the opportunity to step back in time a little. When it comes to things to do in Milton Keynes, think of great entertainment, indoor activities by the bucket load, dozens of places to eat, glorious green outside space, and shopping fit for a shopaholic. If sporting action is your thing, Milton Keynes is the home of the iconic Red Bull Racing Team, MK Dons Football Team and MK Lightning Ice Hockey Team. So, there’s plenty to do whether you’re looking for a day out, want a fun-filled week of activities in the school holidays, or if you find yourself visiting the area. 

Here’s our lowdown on our Top 21 things to do in Milton Keynes.

1) Bletchley Park. First up is this fabulous world-class heritage attraction in Milton Keynes, which impressively was once the top-secret home of the amazing World War 2 Codebreakers. Why not discover the ground-breaking achievements of Britain’s World War 2 codebreakers at the scene of the action in this fabulous setting? Throughout the year there are loads of events, as well as summer fun events for families. Any excuse to eat cake floats my boat so how about taking a step back in time within this fabulous setting and indulging in exquisite afternoon tea?

2) The National Museum of Computing is dedicated to collecting and restoring historic computers. You can follow the development of computing beginning with the Turing-Welchman Bombe and Colossus of the 1940s right through to the rise of PCs, mobile computing and the internet. This museum is based at Bletchley Park, and although it’s a separate attraction, you can easily combine the two in a day.

3) Snozone MK. If you’re a snowsport enthusiast why not enjoy indoor skiing and snowboarding on real snow whatever the weather? Or spend some time with the family and treat yourselves to a 30-minute Family Fun Sledging Session, which always brings a smile to the kid's faces as you whizz your way down the slopes.

4) Bowling Milton Keynes. Tenpin bowling is the perfect activity to enjoy whatever the weather, both as a family and with friends. The good news is you’ll love our brand-new 16 state-of-the-art lanes for some friendly competition. Tenpin Milton Keynes is so much more than your standard bowling centre with its all-singing, all-dancing range of indoor activities. Think vibrant laser tag arena, exclusive karaoke rooms, challenging escape rooms and top-notch arcade games. What more could you need for a great day or night out for that matter in Milton Keynes? Other than a bar of course, and we tick that box too.

5) Planet Ice. Whether you fancy yourself as the next Torvil and Dean and want to work on your ice skating skills, or you feel like watching some professional ice hockey then this is just the place. They even offer ice skating lessons for the whole family so we’re feeling optimistic that you’ll be gliding along the ice in no time. Watching the MK Lightning professional ice hockey team in action is always a fun-filled night out and you may even catch a glimpse of Rod Stewart’s son, Liam, whizzing across the ice whilst you’re at it.

6) Willen Lake is a hub for watersports and a whole load of activities in Milton Keynes. There are 2 lakes to discover, over 30 activities to try and more than 100 acres to explore. So what are you waiting for? Keep up to date with the latest events by heading to their What’s On page. Willen Lake is also home to Aqua Parcs, a large inflatable obstacle course which is perfect for sunny summer days to cool off whilst having a great time.

7) Gullivers Land Theme Park & Resort is full of rides, attractions and entertainment suitable for young families with children between the ages of 2 and 13. Enjoy this extensive family resort which includes the theme park itself, as well as a Dinosaur & Farm Park, Splash Park, plus themed accommodation options if you fancy staying over and having a little break. Go on, treat yourself to a cheeky night or two away!

8) Escape Rooms. The city has several escape rooms, but we can confidently say the immersive escape room experiences by Houdini at Tenpin Milton Keynes are simply the best! Test your ability to work as a team, using your skills and knowledge to see if you can solve the clues and puzzles before the time runs out. Perfect for team building in Milton Keynes, or even as a challenge with friends and family.

9) Ninja Warrior MK. Inspired by ITV’s hit programme, you can hone your Ninja skills and take on different obstacles to test your strength as you climb, balance and jump your way around the course. Do you have what it takes to complete the Ninja Warrior course and come out victorious?

10) Thrift Farm. Nestled in the countryside in Whaddon on the outskirts of Milton Keynes, families with younger children will love exploring the Farm Park. There are lots of activities to discover in this great outdoor space and the opportunity to meet farm animals like cute furry bunnies, along with animal petting opportunities.

11) Cycling in Milton Keynes. You can cycle with a difference in Milton Keynes with miles and miles of ‘Redways’ which are paths designated for cyclists and pedestrians. So you can avoid the roads, instead sticking to the Redways and discovering the stunning lakes and parkland you come across along the way. Milton Keynes has an impressive 4,500 acres of parkland, woodland, lakes, and rivers to explore. What are you waiting for? Get on your bike!

12) Laser Tag. You can’t go wrong with a heart-thumping laser tag. So get ready for adrenalin-filled combat using infrared light guns to take aim at the enemy and their base on your quest for victory. Prepare for the best battles with family, friends and colleagues in the state-of-the-art laser tag arena at Tenpin Milton Keynes.

13) Centre MK Indoor Skydiving. Experience the thrill of skydiving without the big price tag or jumping out of a plane at iFly. During this Skydiving simulator experience, you’ll be powered by an impressive wind tunnel so you feel like you are literally flying. There’s a spot for spectators too so you can watch your friends or family in action.

14) Go Karting. Take a break from the extensive roundabout network in Milton Keynes, and build up some speed with outdoor go-karting at Daytona. This track is an impressive 1360 metres long, meaning it’s one of the longest in the UK so perfect for motor sport lovers’. If the weather is not so good, there’s always the Formula Fast Indoor Karting track too. Fancy taking on the family? They can run a mixture of ages on the circuit so it's the perfect chance to show your family just what you can do on the race track.

15) MK Stadium. Experience the thrill of watching live League One football at this 30,530-seat stadium which is home to MK Dons. When the football isn’t on, the ground turns into an impressive live music venue so keep an eye out to see who’s performing next via their What’s On page.

16) Karaoke Fun. If you’re looking for some fun-filled Karaoke and a bar in Milton Keynes, the newest karaoke rooms have arrived at Tenpin. Whether you’re after hen-do activities, a night out with friends, or a great time with family, you’ll be pleased to know there are thousands of karaoke songs to choose from to get you into the grove. So make singing in the shower a thing of the past and release your inner singing diva as you get drinks and snacks delivered to your exclusive room.

17) Campbell Park is the heart of Milton Keynes, connecting the city centre to the picturesque landscape. Stretching from the theatre side of the city right down to the Grand Union Canal, it also has a purpose-built events area. This is well-used throughout the year with spectacles ranging from winter sporting events like cross country to summer festivals like India Day MK, African Diaspora Day and Art in the Park. What’s more, each year over 9000 people head to MK Playday, the city’s biggest day of play. Campbell Park is home to wildflower meadows and sheep can be seen grazing at certain times of the year. Why not take in the iconic Light Pyramid and enjoy views across North East Milton Keynes and Bedfordshire?

18) Milton Keynes Theatre. This terrific theatre is located right in the heart of the city, showcasing the best West End and touring productions from across the UK like Annie, A Ghost Story and Pretty Woman. So get yourself ready for great shows with friends and family. Who doesn’t love a good trip to the theatre for some feel-good vibes?

19) Indoor Climbing. If you’re looking for an energetic indoor activity the Big Rock is just the place, whatever your climbing ability. There are hundreds of different colour-coded climbs, from easy challenges for anyone new to climbing, to super hard climbs to test the future pros. So everyone can get involved and have plenty of fun in the process.

20) Woburn Safari Park. This animal lovers' paradise is set within 300 acres of beautiful parkland and within easy reach of Milton Keynes. It’s the proud home to around 1,000 wild and exotic animals and the perfect day out for you to get up close and personal with wonderful wildlife within their natural setting. Woburn Safari Park is an unmissable day out.

21) Soft Play is the perfect place to play whatever the weather, whilst the kids run around burning off their excess energy, you might even get the chance to grab a coffee. There’s an extensive multi-tier zone with interesting areas to explore at 360 Play in Milton Keynes. What’s more, if the weather is on your side there’s an outdoor area to enjoy with sand pits, water boating and trikes. During the school holidays and weekends, these centres can get booked up quickly. But luckily in Milton Keynes, there are a few to choose from, like Safari Play and the soft play at Gravity at the Xscape. Gravity has the added of being an indoor trampoline park too should your little ones fancy bouncing around.

So that’s our roundup of the Top 21 Things to Do in Milton Keynes. 

Now over to you. Let me know what you think by heading over to our social pages. Maybe there’s something I missed. I’d love to hear your thoughts!