With a huge range of family-friendly activities on offer and in close proximity to some of England’s loveliest countryside, Milton Keynes is the ideal base for exploring the UK. Once you’ve ticked off the city, fire up your rental car and work your way through some of the country’s top billed destinations.
Uncovering a top secret
Top of the list for World War II buffs is Bletchley Park, a place of incredible historical importance that sits just south of the city. This grand Victorian estate was the secret location for British codebreaking during the late 1930s and early 1940s and had a significant impact on the outcome of the war.
Take a tour of the grounds to see the machines that were built to break the German Enigma code and learn more about the pioneering people who solved it. Bletchley Park is an utterly beguiling place to visit and not to be missed while in Milton Keynes.
Family fun
Head to Woburn Safari Park for a memorable family day out. The sprawling reserve is home to a wealth of exotic animals, including lions, giraffes, rhinos and elephants. Head along the tracks and get up close to these mesmerizing creatures. A Go Ape experience is also set up here, where you can zip wire through the trees and enjoy an ape’s-eye view of the park.
If you’re after a more sedate day trip, head out into the rolling green countryside of the Chiltern Hills, the quintessential image of rural England. The 324 square miles of gorgeous scenery and picture-perfect villages and market towns are perfect for exploring by car.
One of the loveliest towns in the area is Amersham. After a day roaming the hills, stop off to admire the half-timbered houses and enjoy a classic pub lunch at The King’s Arms, a quaint 15th century inn.
The special spires
You’ll fall in love with charming Oxford, home to the UK’s oldest university. This ‘City of Dreaming Spires’ is an enchanting destination – amble along the medieval streets, passing cobbled alleyways and elegant honey-toned architecture, walking in the footsteps of many great thinkers.
Christ Church College should be near the top of your itinerary. This grand university building has stood in Oxford’s center since the 16th century and has educated Albert Einstein, Lewis Carroll and more than a dozen British Prime Ministers. Meander through the complex to drink in its beauty; highlights include the Great Hall, the cloisters and the cathedral, all of which served as filming locations for the Harry Potter movies.
The historic Bodleian Library is another must-see, one of the oldest of its kind in the world. Take the guided tour to see its atmospheric reading rooms, the 15th-century Divinity School and Duke Humfrey's medieval library.
Oxford, London and the endless charms of southern England are at your fingertips with car rental in Milton Keynes.