Moving to Milton Keynes: Area Guide
Milton Keynes – home to numerous major national and international companies, offers its inhabitants a thriving and welcoming local community. If you’re thinking of moving to Milton Keynes, you’re in luck, as we’ve put together this guide to give you the lowdown on this thriving area of London.
Where is Milton Keynes?
This large town is situated in Buckinghamshire, around 50 miles north-west of London.
A brief history of Milton Keynes
Before any large scale urban development took place in this area, Bletchley Park, a former British government establishment, was set up to decipher codes during World War II. This was where Alan Turing, together with his colleagues, worked on decoding the enemy’s messages. Then, in the 1960s, Milton Keynes was established as a result of the UK government wanting to relieve London’s housing congestion. They had decided to found this new town where a village with the same name already existed.
The town’s plans were based on the idea of a Garden City – a residential community surrounded by greenbelts and areas of industry and agriculture. To a certain extent, these ideas are reflected in what you see today, as 25% of the urban area is parkland or woodland.
One should maybe also add that even before all of these new developments, our great ancestors inhabited this area, as during the archaeological investigation of Milton Keynes Neolithic and gold jewellery from the Bronze Age were unearthed.
An in-depth look at Milton Keynes
Who lives there?
The majority of the population in Milton Keynes is made up of young adults, working in the big national and international companies. This creates a dynamic and lively neighbourhood with a population who are happy to enjoy life outside of work.
Types of property in Milton Keynes
Milton Keynes offers a great variety of properties and prices that can suit a large number of buyers and renters. In addition, most of the properties have recently been built, adding to the great variety that this town can offer.
If you’re planning on moving to Milton Keynes, expect to pay below £1,000 per month for a one-bedroom flat. Most two-bedroom homes are priced around £900 to £1400 per month, and properties with three-bedrooms or more enter the market from £1,100 per month.
Milton Keynes transport
The urban area has six railway stations: Wolverton, Milton Keynes Central, Fenny Stratford, Bow Brickhill, Woburn Sands and Bletchley. Milton Keynes Central is served by inter-city links that connect the town to London – 30 minutes by train to London Euston, Scotland, Wales and other major areas and cities in the UK. The nearest international airport is London Luton Airport, which is around 90 minutes away by train.
Restaurants and shopping
Milton Keynes offers a variety of restaurants and shops, where you can decide to buy locally or engage with world-wide renowned brands.
The Hub
The Hub truly is a hub for eating and drinking, with restaurants, cafes and hotels on offer. From Banana Tree and De Roka Mediterranean restaurant to Las Iguanas and Brasseries Blanc – you will be able to find a restaurant to suit your taste and hopefully match your cravings. You can even book a stay at the Travelodge or Jurys Inn.
Legend One Sushi Bar
Legend One Sushi Bar has been rated as one of the best Asian Restaurants in Milton Keynes and serves both Japanese and Chinese dishes.
Gourmet Burger Joint
This new and independent restaurant serves a variety of delicious burgers, including vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options.
French Affaire
If you’re craving delicious French crepes, brunch or afternoon teas head to French Affaire, where an exquisite interior and tasty dishes will welcome you.
Intu Milton Keynes
Intu Milton Keynes is a shopping centre with 47 stores, including Apple, Dr Martens, Hollister, as well as Five Guys, Kokoro Sushi, Bento and Made in Sud.
Art in Milton Keynes
The Municipal public art gallery, the Milton Keynes Gallery, offers free exhibitions of international contemporary art. They have a year-round exhibition programme with workshops and courses for people of all ages.
Woburn Alley
This Cistercian abbey was given to the Dukes of Bedford in 1547 and was rebuilt in a Palladian style in the 18th Century. The Woburn Abbey hosts a vast collection of artworks from Rembrandt, Velàzquez, Murillo, van Dyck and Hans Holbein the Younger.
Socialising in Milton Keynes
Milton Keynes offers numerous amusements to visitors and locals alike.
- Attend a concert at the open-air National Bowl
- Listen to some live jazz, blues, folk, rock, classical, pop, and world music at the stables
- See a show at Milton Keynes Theatre
- Visit the National Museum of Computing, which includes a replica of the Colossus computer
- Experience skydiving at the Xscape or the iFLY
- Walk around Bletchley Park
- Have lessons of wakeboard, kitesurf, kneeboarding and waterskiing at Willen Lakeside Park
- Meditate at the Peaceful Pagoda, the first Buddist Pagoda to be built in Europe, constructed around 1980 by nuns and monks of the Nipponzan-Myohoji order
Moving to Milton Keynes
If you like large green spaces, but also want the vibrant London life in close proximity then it’s time to find a home in Milton Keynes.
