Living in Milton Keynes

From the historic streets of Stony Stratford, wartime heritage of Bletchley Park, to the clean lines of the city centre and the green spaces of the specially designated parks, the environment of Milton Keynes reflects its exciting variety and vitality. As the fastest growing town in the UK, with a 2011 population figure of 249,000, Milton Keynes' offerings are rapidly changing and expanding. There is never a time when there isn't a new shop or restaurant to experience 

Shopping

Of course Milton Keynes is known for its outstanding shopping and speaks for itself. Central Milton Keynes is the focus of retail in the new town, with the huge centre:mk dominating, with more than 250 shops and countless restaurants (including favourites Yo! Sushi, Nandos and Jamie's Italian). Parking is cheap, accessible and plentiful to ensure a long day out; making sure your wallet is thoroughly worn. Xscape, the famous complex hosting a multiplex cinema as well as Europe's largest indoor ski slope, offers shopping geared toward extreme sports such as Quicksilver, Billabong, North Face and Animal.

If you've experienced the huge amount to offer in Central Milton Keynes, then venturing out to the old towns which make up MK gives you a different type of shopping. The high streets of Newport Pagnell and Stony Stratford offer a quintessentially English market town shopping experience with a host of eclectic, independent boutiques and restaurants. Kingston, Westcroft, Bletchley and other various local shopping centres allow easy access and convenience for a quick bite or to grab and go.

Leisure and Recreation

There is a huge offering of leisure and recreational opportunities in Milton Keynes, other than shopping of course. The lakes at Willen and Caldecotte offer more than just extreme sports, pleasant lakeside walk and cycle ways provide the chance to take in some fresh air and get some exercise, but without leaving the city. Lakeside pubs and restaurants also dot the sides of the lakes, which also host fairs and events in the summer time right on the waters edge.

In Central Milton Keynes a brand new development, The Hub, hosts up-market restaurants, bars and hotels, ensuring a classy dinner or night out. Fortnightly markets are also hosted within the square at The Hub, adding a continental air to the area. The Theatre District hosts, as it name suggests, the UK's most popular Theatre outside London as well as a wide choice of clubs, bars and restaurants.

If you're looking for some high end culture, then Milton Keynes offers the best in up and coming art, performance art and music at The Stables, Milton Keynes Gallery and the bi-annual International Festival Fringe : Milton Keynes.