What to do in Milton Keynes?

don9999

I'll be there with my family for 5 days next week (having ski lessons at SnowZone, and also flying at AirKix - all at Xscape centre).

Don't worry, everything was done on the cheap - kit off Ebay, using Tesco vouchers, hotel rooms reduced from £85 to £25 etc.etc... :-)

My concern is what to do over 5 days in MK?

The activities will take up a few hours each day. But what else to do - preferably not 'too' expensive - bearing in mind we are a family of 5, plus a gran coming along for the ride.

Maybe cinema one day.
Bowling another.
Shopping another (what's the best place around there?)
Decent swimming pool with slides etc?

Are there any decent soft-play areas around MK?

We'll have a car, so can travel around without too much problem. Willing to travel probably 30 minutes out of MK for a day-out.

Cheers,
Don

mkgirl1981

heres a few things to check out

play area
http://www.360play.uk.com/index.aspx

pirate island crazy golf
http://www.pirateislandgolf.co.uk/

we have a huge shopping centre with loads of restaurants and has late night shopping till 8pm all week but most shops only stay open till 8 on thurs and fri
http://www.thecentremk.com/

the xscape where your having your lessons has cinema - cheaper on tuesdays, bowling alley and amusement arcades

ice skating at planet ice
http://www.planet-ice.co.uk/arena/Milton_Keynes

bletchley park - home of the code breakers from ww2
http://www.bletchleypark.org/

woburn abbey
http://www.woburn.co.uk/abbey/

woburn safari park opens from the 10th feb - might be a bit cold though
http://www.woburn.co.uk/safari/

you could take a walk round willen lake which has a nice playground & you can check out the peace pagoda and they have high ropes course http://www.whitecap.co.uk/attractions/high-ropes.aspx
(park in the peace pagoda car park as its free)

across the road from willen lake in newlands you also have the tree cathedral which wont take up much time to walk around but you should get some nice family snaps
http://www.theparkstrust.com/parks/tree-cathederal


hopefully some of this will be interesting for you

susancs

Gullivers Land Theme Park is in Milton Keynes and has rides suitable for children under 12. It also has a new splashzone. Not sure if all the rides will be open as it seems to have a reduced entry price of £7.50 for adults and children during the half term week and £9.50 for the theme park and splash zone.
http://www.gulliversfun.co.uk/milton-keynes/events/half-term-11-feb-to-19-feb-2012.htm

Sassa

Willen Lake is fantastic for children and families. It's free, apart from parking and has a great adventure playground for all ages. You can walk to the Peace Pagoda from there, (the first Pagoda in the West). There's also a pub for lunch at the Lake, or you could brave the elements with a picnic.

MK Gallery is brilliant and free. It's right next to the SnowDome and will have lots of family activities during half term

http://www.mkgallery.org/

Bletchley Park's great and very interesting. Children should enjoy it too!

There's also MK Theatre, not sure what's on, but might be worth looking at website

http://www.atgtickets.com/venue/Milton-Keynes-Theatre/5/

Have a lovely week!

don9999

Thanks for the advice so far, I'll be looking up those links.

Willen Lakes looks like a nice place to spend the day.
Walking, golf, restaurant.
May even take a look at closer at that High Ropes course - am scared of heights, but always like to tackle my fears. Not sure my 80 year old mother will join in with that one though...lol...

mkgirl1981

i dont think the restaurant at willen lake is all that great, its only a 5/10 min drive to xscape or city centre from willen lake

Humphrey10

The Lakeside Restaurant at Willen Lake isn't very nice at all. The lake itself is worth a visit though.
Woburn Safari park is great, but I don't know how active the animals will be in the cold.