Leisure

Following its tremendous success earlier this year, the Milton Keynes Brick Festival is set to return on Sunday, 15th September, promising to be the most exciting celebration yet for LEGO enthusiasts of all ages. The event invites families, collectors, and adult builders to immerse themselves in a world of creativity and fun. Whether you're a seasoned LEGO aficionado or a casual fan, the festival offers something for everyone. What to Expect: The Milton Keynes Brick Festival will feature a range of engaging activities, including: Speed building competitions Mosaic-making sessions Minifigure hunts A dedicated building area for all ages For those looking to expand their collections, the festival's marketplace will offer a wide selection of loose bricks, rare and retired LEGO sets, minifigures, accessories, and more. In addition to hands-on activities, attendees will have the opportunity to explore unique LEGO displays created by master builders from across the UK. Visitors can..

This year’s Heritage Open Days events from The Parks Trust are set to uncover the routes, networks, and connections that weave through Milton Keynes’ scenic parklands. In September, residents are invited to explore some of the art, history, and nature found across the city’s 6,000 acres of green spaces. Julie Dawes, Events & Community Engagement Manager at The Parks Trust says “Our amazing network of parks, connected by green routes and redways, are the perfect fit for this year’s theme (routes, networks and connections)! So, this year’s events are all about getting to know the city’s green spaces - learning about their connection with communities discovering their past and imagining their future.” Booking is essential for this event series, free tickets are available from 9am, Thursday 8th August on theparkstrust.com/events Wonderful Willen through a sociological lens 6 September, 10am at the Tree Cathedral Setting off from the Tree Cathedral, this..

Milton Keynes Museum invites you to share in all of the sights, sounds and sirens from one of our most challenging and defining decades this September, with the return of its popular 1940s weekend. Pack up your kit bag, and bring your family and friends together to enjoy a truly exceptional step back in time to the era dominated by World War II. Displays and re-enactors present all weekend will include The Oxfordshire Home Guard, which preserves and promotes the memory of those who volunteered to defend our shores during the conflict. They will be dressed up and ready to answer your questions, along with the Hertfordshire Home Guard. The RAF Bomber Command, GI 44-45, and the women of the American Red Cross will be colouring up the event, too. The Resistance worked across the channel, helping pilots and spies to escape the enemy – pay them a visit to..

Local charity Willen Hospice are calling on Milton Keynes to ‘join the herd’ for their Midnight Moo night-time walk on Friday 12 July. The event, sponsored by Specsavers MK, takes place at Midsummer Place in Central Milton Keynes, with a warm up and entertainment from 9.30pm, and a countdown to the walk at 10pm. Midnight Moo-vers can choose to walk 5 miles, ending at the ‘half-moo’ mark at The Good Gym MK in Kiln Farm, or a 10 mile circular route returning to Midsummer Place. Each mile is sponsored by a local organisation or community group, with Willen Hospice nurses, staff and volunteers marshalling mile 3. Everyone taking part can opt-in to receive a cow-print Midnight Moo 2024 t-shirt to walk in and participants will also receive a fundraising pack, sponsor form and Midnight Moo medal. For those walking in memory of a loved one, they are encouraged to write..

It was the era of exploration and discovery and this June Milton Keynes Museum is turning back the clock and inviting everyone to experience Victorian life – but you'll need to be on your best behaviour; HM Queen Victoria will be making an appearance! Re-enactors the Die Hards will be standing to attention when Her Majesty inspects her troops at 2pm daily, before attending afternoon tea* in the marquee. Get practicing those greetings and curtseys! Neil Story will be telling tales of Victorian life, and there will be stories from the era for the kids. Interactive Punch and Judy shows will take place at intervals throughout both days too. That's the way to do it! A Cabinet of Curiosities tent will include all kinds of unusual exhibits, and if you want to experience learning how the Victorians did it, a trip to the schoolroom for a school session is recommended..

After an extra special, unique event to impress your loved ones? Candlelight Concerts make for an evening to remember, as Pulse writer Emma-Rose Norris found out last month when visiting Northampton’s historic Delapré Abbey. If you’re not sure what a concert by candlelight entails, think serene surroundings bathed in the warm glow of flickering candlelight - Fever’s Candlelight Concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations around the globe. Candlelight began by making the finest works of classical music accessible to all, and today this remains their mission. Thus, you’ll always find tributes to renowned classical composers, as well as film composers like Hans Zimmer and Joe Hisaishi, on rotation. However, these Candlelight evenings have now expanded, and you can experience programmes dedicated to the likes of Rihanna, Oasis, the Jackson 5, Taylor Swift as well as other unforgettable tributes that are being continually added to its..

September 2023 heralds the launch of Unity Place, the beacon of sustainable innovation and community-centric destination in Milton Keynes. Milton Keynes, a city renowned for being the future's blueprint, is poised to welcome Unity Place this September. This purpose-designed space marries community, business, and leisure while championing sustainability and a planetary ethos. Mirroring the forward-thinking ethos of Milton Keynes, Unity Place is an inclusive destination designed with green principles at its core. Not only will it act as a cutting-edge workplace, but it's also set to become a bustling hotspot for locals and visitors. Strategically positioned, it stands as the first sight for those departing Milton Keynes Central train station. Ensconced in the city's heart, Unity Place is geared to usher in a new era of business and attractions. Its design ethos, which prioritises sustainability and connectivity, has positioned it as a leading social enterprise beacon in the region. It..

After a brief summer hiatus, Broughton Ward's community clean-ups return, aiming to beautify the neighborhoods and foster unity among residents. Residents of Oakgrove and Brooklands, mark your calendars for Saturday, 26 August! The popular community litter picks are back, with Oakgrove's clean-up scheduled for the morning and Brooklands' in the afternoon. Under the stewardship of Broughton ward councillors Uroy Clarke, Sam Crooks, and Kerrie Bradburn, these events have transformed the areas, removing waste while connecting neighbors in a common purpose. The councillors now extend an invitation to even more residents to join in and bolster this community initiative. The events promise to be family-friendly, ensuring that participants of all ages can join in the environmental action. All necessary equipment—including litter pickers, gloves, and hi-vis jackets—will be provided. The Broughton ward Focus team, pioneers of this initiative since 2021, host these litter picks on the last Saturday of every month. Their..

Whatever the weather, there’s still plenty of time to pack a picnic or wield your wellies, and head outdoors for some free family fun with The Parks Trust. Discover local nature at Howe Park Wood Open Mornings every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday until 31 August, 9.30-12.30. Why not head down a couple of times, as there’s a different theme each week - Minibeasts, Wildlife, and Birds. Enjoy the tranquil oasis of a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest, with free access to experts and artefacts in the Education Centre, nature-themed challenges, and self-guided trails. Some sessions also offer bookable activities like Nature Craft and Bug Hunting, for a small fee. The whole family is invited to step back in time as North Loughton Valley Park comes alive for Roman Day on 27 August, 11am-2pm. If you haven’t explored Bancroft Roman Villa yet, this is the perfect opportunity! Set in the..

You better hurry because Father's Day is fast approaching! We here at MK Pulse know that Milton Keynes is a truly vibrant city – it is host to a plethora of fantastic independent businesses, shops and sellers. From delicious meals, drinks and discounted experiences, this year's local Father's Day offers are not to be missed. We’ll walk you through some of the best deals, ensuring that your Dad has a Father's Day to remember! Experiences The Shack MK Home to all things BBQ, the Shack MK is a fantastic Father’s Day find; hosting a variety of day-classes, treat the special man in your life to lessons in over-the-fire cooking. Check out the Shack MK’s future classes here: https://buyabbq.com/collections/bbq-class. Alternatively, you could always pick up some grill-based goodies from their shop! Find out more on their website https://buyabbq.com/ D Pizza Guy Hosting a variety of pop-up supper clubs in the Hanslope..

Milton Keynes may now FINALLY be a city, but it is absolutely littered with beautiful countryside trails. As we (hopefully!) approach the warmer, clearer weather, check out MK Pulse’s handy guide to six-of-the-best local walks, courtesy of the AllTrails App, to try out this Spring. Trail One – Ampthill and Mauldon Circular The first trail takes you through the gentle rolling landscape of the Bedfordshire Hills, providing superb views of the countryside throughout. The circular walk starts from the ruins of Houghton House, said to be the inspiration for House Beautiful in John Bunyan's ‘The Pilgrim's Progress.’ This 8.5km trail is generally considered to be an easy route, taking an average of 2 hours and 28 minutes to complete. The walk itself has several steady but long climbs and descents throughout and there is one stile and several kissing gates. The paths are a mixture of tarmac/concrete lanes and field..

Are you thinking of saving up those precious pennies and celebrating Valentine’s Day at home next week? Here are three fail-safe and easy-to-follow recipes to impress your loved one with on February 14th this year. Middle-Eastern Style Shakshuka Serves 2-3 Ingredients: -1 Tbsp of Olive Oil -2 White Onions -4 Cloves of Garlic -2 Bell Peppers -2 Tins of Plum Tomatoes -2 Tbsp of Tomato Purée -1 Tsp Cumin -1 Tsp Coriander -1 Tsp Chilli Powder -1 Tsp Ras El Hanout -1 Tsp Rose Harissa Paste -1 Large (or small, if you don’t like it too spicy) Pinch of Cayenne Pepper -1 Pinch of Sugar -1 Handful of Coriander -1 Handful of Parsley -4 Eggs -Salt and Pepper to taste Fry the onions in olive oil on a low heat until translucent. Finely shop the garlic and add to the..

Why not save a little bit of money this month and celebrate Valentine’s Day at home? If it’s your first or your fifty-first Valentine’s Day with your beau, February 14th is the perfect occasion to crack out that cocktail shaker hidden at the back of your cupboard. Whether it’s an intimate 3-course dinner or more of a casual occasion, swap out your usual Mojito or Passionfruit Martini for something a little bit more special this year. Local cocktail designer and enthusiast Sunday Cocktail Club has created 3 bespoke recipes for you to try out and enjoy this year. Despite looking particularly eye-catching, these three cocktails are pretty low-maintenance. They only take a few minutes to shake up and require just a handful of ingredients. However you choose to celebrate V Day, Pulse Magazine has got you! Grab your ‘on the rocks’ glassware and then let Cupid take care of the..

itsu has finally landed in Milton Keynes, having celebrated the opening of their first location in Buckinghamshire last Wednesday. The Asian-inspired, healthy fast-food restaurant brand opened inside Centre:MK in Milton Keynes at 11am on Wednesday 14th December. The healthy haven of fast, nutritious, beautiful food will offer local residents and businesses alike a delicious range of hot & cold dishes to takeaway, dine in with their friends or be delivered to local offices as a fresh meal option. “We’re looking forward to opening our first branch in Buckinghamshire while creating new career opportunities for locals on the lead-up to Christmas. Our new location nearby to John Lewis will be the perfect stop-off for those looking for a nutritious & affordable meal to keep them feeling healthy and happy throughout the festive shopping period.” - Neil Miller, Chief Customer Officer. itsu’s ‘steamed not fried’ philosophy sees their menu including hot noodle..

It’s certainly hard to believe, but the year will soon be coming to an end – yes, really! It seems to me like just yesterday we were saying hello to the summer sun but we’re now saying hello to 2023. Yes, there are the obvious ways to bring in the New Year – heading out to party until the early hours may be the choice for some but, if you’re anything like me, all of the celebrations surrounding Christmastime mean that NY seems like the perfect time for something a little different! Here are some unique ideas you could use to ring in the start of the next 12 months around the sun. Murder Mystery Night Whether you want to party Gatsby-style or throw a James Bond themed soirée, a classic ‘whodunnit’ murder mystery is a great alternative way to bring in the New Year with friends or family. I..