Milton Keynes

Milton Keynes (pronounced{{fn|1}} {{IPA|}}) is a purpose-built, high technology city in the south east of England approximately 50 miles (80km) north of London and mid-way between Oxford and Cambridge. Although legally still a town (since city status in the United Kingdom is only possible through grant of Royal Charter), it was designed to be, and behaves as, a full city. Its administration is through the Borough of Milton Keynes, a unitary authority, of which it is the dominant part. (The Borough contains other towns in addition to Milton Keynes itself.)

Access

Rail

Milton Keynes has five stations —

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• three on the West Coast Main Line (London/Glasgow): Bletchley (MK south), Milton Keynes Central, and Wolverton (MK north)
• three on the Marston Vale Line (a remnant of the Oxford-Cambridge line): Bletchley (again), Fenny Stratford, and Bow Brickhill (MK south-east), for all stations to Bedford.

Road

North/South

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M1 Northbound: J14 for city centre and north, J13 for south city (Open University and Bletchley).

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M1 Southbound: J15A (via A45 then A5) for north city (Stony Stratford and Wolverton); J14 for city centre and south city.

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Also A5 and A509

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East/West

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A421 (centre and south city), A422 (north city).

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Many long-distance coaches stop at the rather desolate Milton Keynes Coachway beside M1 Junction 14 on the eastern edge, about three miles (5 km) from the centre (3.5 miles from MK Central station). For connecting bus services, see MKWEB.

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Air

The nearest international airport is at Luton, but there is only an hourly coach service from 06:00 to 21:00 from Milton Keynes Central station. This airport is mainly used by low cost airlines, notably Easyjet and Ryanair. The other London airports Heathrow, Gatwick and (especially) Stansted can be rather painful to reach by public transport if you are unfamiliar with local British transport idiosyncracies.

Related Topics:
Luton - Milton Keynes Central - Easyjet - Ryanair - Heathrow - Gatwick - Stansted

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Birmingham airport is more mainstream, with frequent rail connections from Birmingham International to Milton Keynes Central.

Related Topics:
Birmingham airport - Birmingham International - Milton Keynes Central

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There is an aerodrome at Cranfield .

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Canal

The Grand Union Canal runs through the city.

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