Things to do in Milton Keynes
If you have ever visited Milton Keynes, you will know that the city is renowned for its contemporary take on urban living – but it is also rich in history and culture. Take for instance Bletchley Park - once home to WW2 Codebreakers. Or at the heart of performing arts, you can also kick back in one of the region’s leading live entertainment venues at The Milton Keynes Theatre, and catch West End shows without the hustle and bustle that the capital brings.
For those wanting an adrenaline rush, there is plenty to do too: from indoor skydiving, bowling, trampolining, and even indoor skiing or snowboarding. But for those with specific agendas, such as entertaining the kids, or friends and colleagues - there is even more than meets the eye!
Fun Activities with the Family, and half-term ideas!
Faced with an empty calendar, it can be hard to know how to fill kids’ school holidays with enriching activities that won’t break the bank. Luckily, Milton Keynes is full of family-friendly options. If you come across a rare fine day during the school holidays, pop to Campbell Park to reconnect with nature - with water features, woods and picnic areas to explore and enjoy.
Perhaps you fancy a physical activity to get the blood flowing, then take to new heights and perhaps try indoor skydiving! Or, maybe all you need is to sit down and enjoy a good film somewhere other than home. Why not pop to MK’s Cineworld to start the holiday fun and enjoy a wide-screen experience on the UK’s first Superscreen and 4DX cinema.
That being said, it is always a good idea to have some all-weather activities up your sleeve. Bowling is an excellent indoor choice for families who want to keep their kids entertained and engaged. Fun for all ages, families can benefit from the choice to customise their bowling lanes with optional ramps and bumpers, ensuring an even playing field for all the family.
If you are pre-booking your games then always be sure to check for offers that give you discounts on bowling, and food.
Refuel after your games with the convenient on-site Hollywood Diner, and take advantage of the
family feast deal where two adults and two children can get a group discount. Choose from
family favourites like American-style hotdogs, beef and chicken burgers and chicken nuggets
all served with fries - and accompanied by American-style milkshakes, slush puppies and other
soft drinks, or get a caffeine fix from an on-site Costa Coffee service.
Hollywood Bowl MK is conveniently located inside Xscape Milton Keynes, giving families plenty of options for continuing their day out with add-on activities.
Kids Birthday Parties in Milton Keynes
There is almost too much choice when picking the perfect birthday party venue in Milton Keynes. Kids are spoilt for choice with the Gulliver’s Land theme park right on their doorstep, where everything from water slides to pirate ships, princesses to unicorns, and even The Very Hungry Caterpillar-themed events are on offer.
If laser tag, football, or superheroes are more your vibe, then heading over to SafariPlay to book an adventure-packed party is wise, complete with a birthday banquet to really kick things off in style. Or, visit 360 Play for soft play party experiences, perfect for under-4s, kids, teens – and even adults!
With three VIP bowling lanes, Hollywood Bowl MK is primed to host brilliant birthday parties.
Packages and discounts are available, with extras to personalise the experience for schools,
work teams, families and friends.
VIP lanes can be decorated with party balloons, and each birthday package includes a full hour of bowling, food after the game, a cup of squash or a fizzy drink, and a free game voucher for every child.
For that extra special feeling, adult bowlers can choose to have a bottle of champagne waiting for their group upon arrival, together with a dedicated staff member on their lane, happy to go the extra mile to assist them with their visit and ensure they have everything they need.
Have food and drink brought to your lane by taking advantage of the easy ordering process using a QR code on your phone. Choose three snacks to build a sharing platter, including mac'n' cheese bites, pizza twists, nachos, and more. Delicious drinks, from cocktails to mocktails, slushies to milkshakes, and a range of coffee-based drinks from Costa Coffee, are also available.
Nights out in Milton Keynes
After a weekend day of shopping at the nearby Centre:MK, why not head to Midsummer Tap for a cocktail, and grab a bite to eat before moving over to Hollywood Bowl MK to start your evening’s entertainment, then head back into town centre for some live music.
Make bowling part of an all-day experience, and take to the lanes after dark. Before heading to your lane, why not try out some Hollywood-themed cocktails at the bar, like Movie Star Martini (a spin on the classic passionfruit martini with a twist of vanilla), Holly-Woo (juicy peach, strawberry and cranberry with a kick of vodka), or our punny bowling mixes like Bowled Over (rum and a splash of Blue Bols with lime and mint), or Strike! (a blend of mango, passionfruit, orange juice and vodka).
The arcade is open for some between-match fun, and with the centre being open until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.
Student Nights
Switch up your student night plans and start your evening at Revolution MK for pre-drinks, or try Slug and Lettuce to get the party started. If live music is more your jam then MK11 hosts tribute bands and emerging artists, or if you want to capture that all-American diner experience, head to Bistro Live for food, drink, and live music.
You may want to start your night early. Stop off at All Bar One for bottomless brunch, or grab a cheeky mid-afternoon Nando’s, handily located in Xscape Milton Keynes–then head next door and onto Hollywood Bowl MK for some friendly competition. Students can take advantage of 10% off full-price standard bowling-only games with a valid student ID, which must be produced at reception when checking in.
There is a range of cocktails, mocktails and soft drinks available, as well as offers on shots and sharer cocktails. Feed the whole party with big sharer meal deals, with the choice of three items-choose from nachos, chicken tenders, chicken bites, and try some additional sides like tasty loaded fries.
Keep the party going with some after-hours entertainment once the pins have fallen, and move on to Popworld MK – only a short walk from Hollywood Bowl MK, with drinks, dancing and live music.
Team Building Activities Milton Keynes
Entertainment isn’t just for home life – engaging activities for employees in the workplace can help build camaraderie, making activities the perfect solution for work team mates that are looking for a boost in morale. This helps to boost essential team skills, and encourages clear communication - whilst giving teams the ultimate glory of beating others at work. Why not try Urban Battlefields for some friendly laser-tag? Or for an even bigger adrenaline rush, you could try Gravity Rocks Urban Climbing to push boundaries in a safe, yet fun setting.
Take your team from the boardroom to the bowling lane and strike up some high-energy competition. Perfect for small or large teams alike, the venue in Milton Keynes has 18 regular and three VIP lanes, each suitable for eight players. You can plan small gatherings, or book the whole venue for up to 176 employees. The availability of the entire venue for parties can sometimes be limited of course, so it is best to call ahead to enquire.
Teams can pre-game in the arcade with classic head-to-head two-player games or practise their aim at the pool tables before heading to the lanes to start the battle for victory. With packages like the team event package, each guest gets a drink on arrival. For the ultimate convenience, you can place orders from your lane using a QR code and have sharing platters brought to you, with foods ranging from mozzarella sticks to nachos and chicken tenders.
Keep the drinks flowing with a choice of alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails (with sharing options available), a range of soft drinks, and even an on-site Costa Coffee service.
Fun Activities
With so much on offer in Milton Keynes, it can be hard to know where to begin when choosing your first, second, or third school holiday activity. If you want to raise the excitement, there’s plenty under Hollywood Bowl MK’s roof – and it’s not just bowling.
Enjoy friendly competition with friends, family, and colleagues at pool tables, arcade games, grabber machines, and more.
- Bowling: With 18 standard and 3 VIP state-of-the-art bowling lanes, optional bumpers and ramps, and space for eight players per lane, the venue can accommodate up to 176 bowlers.
- Pool: At just £1.50 per play, duos can take a break from hitting the pins and rack up for a match or two of American or standard pool. Situated in the action, the tables are close to the bar and arcade and a short walk from the lanes to ensure you never miss a strike.
- Arcade Games: Try industry-leading arcade games like Mario Kart and Space Invaders if you want some two-player head-to-head rivalry. Perhaps sports are more your thing? Shoot some hoops with the indoor basketball game, or give air hockey a go. You can even take to the wheel and try out the two-player car racing game.
- Grabber Machines: Win plush prizes and toys to take home, and try your luck with grabber machines dotted around the venue.
All arcade games award you with tickets – and the more you win, the bigger the prize. From Gyro Choppers to HD Cameras and Kyoto Tablets, you can build up your tickets visit after visit to claim the best prize.
Hollywood Bowl MK has an on-site pay-and-display car park with a nearby charging station for electric vehicles. Customers have the choice to wear their own closed-toe flat shoes to bowl in as long as they are sensible, so no heels.
Forgotten your cash for the arcade games? No problem. The centre’s got free ATMs and change machines on-site to ensure the fun never has to stop.
Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly activity, longing to switch conference tables for bowling lanes to team-build with your colleagues, or just want to do something different to spice up a weeknight, you’ll find Milton Keynes is always the perfect destination.
* Prices and details accurate at the time of writing
