About Milton Keynes

Advertised under the slogan, "Wouldn't it be great if all towns were like Milton Keynes?" the initially criticised New Town has proved its detractors wrong by growing into a strong local financial and retail hub, encouraging new businesses to flock to its blossoming industrial areas.

The town (although it is big enough to be a city, officially it is a town) was laid out by planners to be easier to navigate and, as such, is arranged into an American-style grid system of vertical and horizontal roads.

The main boulevard is home to The Centre:MK, one of the region's biggest shopping centres and home to a huge range of retailers. The Centre:MK, as well as being a huge local generator of money and employment, has also attracted other businesses to the surrounding area: a wide variety of restaurants, clubs and bars are within relatively easy reach; both an ice rink and an indoor ski slope (with real snow) are available for winter sports enthusiasts; several cinemas are also within a stone's throw.

For those of a more tranquil disposition, Milton Keynes has miles of scenic footpaths to ramble along, some of the best of which go through the Willen Lakeside park - the park also plays host to cycling and various watersports. The town as a whole is ideally suited to cycling as all major routes are bypassed by cyclepaths, so negotiating the traffic is not necessary.

In recent years, the Milton Keynes Bowl on the edge of town has built up something of a name as a music venue to the stars: musical giants such as Robbie Williams and Oasis have both performed there.