Milton Keynes: Directions, Beer & Food

[Diego_Sideburns]

Thanks go to Dons supporter BletchleyDons for his local advice posted on here in March 2009, which I have incorporated into this post.

 

Milton Keynes Dons, stadium:mk, Denbigh, Milton Keynes, MK1 1ST

 

All fans are searched on entering the stadium and flags are not allowed in unless they come with their fire certificate. Programmes are on sale outside the stadium.

 

In keeping with the infamous concrete cows of Milton Keynes, the Club have a mascot called Mooie. The South Stand is called the 'Cowshed', so the locals have christened the new stadium 'The MooCamp'.

 

Away supporters can buy tickets on the day by Gates 3 and 4. The Club operates automatic turnstiles using a bar code reader.

 

Away supporters are located in the North East corner of the stadium. The facilities are first class, with big 'Emirates Style' comfy seats, and the ability to continue to watch the game in progress from the concourse.

 

Like a number of new stadiums though, its main drawback is that it is located adjacent to the A5, but well away from the centre of Milton Keynes. Therefore there is little on offer in the way of pubs.

 

Disabled facilities:

 

There are a limited number of disabled parking spaces available on a first come basis, you will need to show your Blue badge to the parking attendants who will direct you to a parking space. Away supporters should make themselves known to the attendants so that you can be directed towards your stadium gate 3. Parking is Free of Charge for disabled drivers.

 

All concession areas inside the stadium are wheelchair friendly. There are numerous dedicated disabled toilet facilities around the concourse, four of which are located in the away supporters’ section.

 

There are spaces for 164 wheelchairs, with a seat for a carer at every position, spaced all around the concourse. All dedicated disabled seating is on the entrance and concourse level.

 

How to get there:

 

By Car:

 

The stadium is situated at Denbigh North, just off the A5, south of Central Milton Keynes and just north of Bletchley. It is adjacent to a Retail Park with ASDA and IKEA, so expect some traffic congestion. For those familiar with MK’s grid road system the ground is on V6 Grafton Street on the junction with H9 Groveway.

 

Official Club Route (this is signposted from Junction 14 of the M1):

From the North or South:

Leave the M1 at Junction 14 and head towards Milton Keynes. Go straight over the first roundabout and at the next (where there is a Total Garage on the corner) turn left onto the V11 Tongwell Street. Proceed across one roundabout and at the next turn right onto the H8 Standing Way (A421). Continue alone the Standing Way going across a number of roundabouts. On reaching the Bleak Hall Roundabout turn left into the V6 Grafton Street. At the next roundabout, turn right and the stadium entrance is further down on the left.

 

Potential alternative/quicker routes:

 

From the North:

 

Leave the M1 at Junction 15 and turn right on to the A508 signposted Stony Stratford, follow this road for 14 miles, until you come to a roundabout at the A5, take the left turn heading south. After a few miles leave the A5 at the junction of the A421, as signposted by the AA stadium:mk signs.

 

Or if you prefer more motorway driving, then continue South on the M1 to junction 14:

Take the A509 towards Milton Keynes. At the first roundabout take the third exit on to Portway (signposted A509 (A5) Central Milton Keynes). Keep straight on this road crossing nine roundabouts. You will see the Hockey Stadium over on your left and will pass a McDonald's outlet. At the next roundabout, turn left onto the A5 (signposted Dunstable/London). Leave the A5 at the junction of the A421, as signposted by the AA stadium:mk signs.

 

From the South:

 

Leave the M1 at junction 13 and take the second exit (A421) which runs parallel with the M1 for a mile before bending left. After 3 miles as you approach a roundabout on the edge of the city take the second exit. This is called H9 Groveway, stay on this road going straight over 4 roundabouts, you will now approach the roundabout over the A5, and the stadium is in front of you slightly to the left, take the second exit. The entrance to the stadium is first left at the traffic lights.

 

If you are approaching the stadium from the South along the A5, then leave the A5 at the junction of the A421 and then you can't miss it.

 

NOTE: The stadium is nowhere near the centre of Milton Keynes. If you do get lost follow directions to Bletchley and/or IKEA.

 

Car parking:

 

There are 2,000 car parking spaces at the stadium, which costs £5 per vehicle, but local advice says you won‘t be out of the car park until 6:00pm.

 

A better bet for away fans is to head onto Mount Farm Industrial Estate and park roadside for free, and only a matter of minutes to the stadium.

 

Alternatively, Denbigh West Industrial Estate offers a fair few spaces as well but takes around 8-10 minutes walk to get to the stadium. After passing the stadium entrance on your left, turn right at the next roundabout, called Granby roundabout, and then take the next turn left, and immediately left again onto the Denbigh West Industrial Estate. Pedestrian crossings towards ASDA will allow access back towards the stadium.

 

WARNING: Do not park in the Asda next to the stadium, because they tend to clamp football traffic occasionally and it is not worth the risk. Ikea are said to be much more tolerant though, but park there at your own risk.

 

By Train:

 

The nearest station is Bletchley which is around about two miles away from the stadium. The Club operates a bus service from the station, commencing at 1pm for 3pm kick offs and 5.30pm for 7.45pm kick offs. The cost is £1 each way. Surprisingly taxis are scarce outside the station so best to pre-book one in advance (Skyline 01908 222111 is a local taxi firm). Otherwise you can embark on the 35-40 minute walk to the stadium. The station is served by trains from London Euston & Birmingham New Street.

 

Turn left immediately you come out of the station building and continue down the steps. At the bottom of the steps turn left go under the railway bridge. At the roundabout by the Park pub turn left onto Saxon Street. Keep straight on this road and you will eventually reach the stadium. However you will need to cross over to the other side, as there is only one path beside it. You will pass Bletchley Bus Station on your right and then the Enigma Pub. Go straight across the double mini roundabout following signs for the A5 and you will see the stadium over on your left.

 

If you arrive at Milton Keynes Central you will be around four miles from the stadium. There is a taxi rank outside the station, or there is the nearby Bus Station. There is a regular Bus Service No.7 going towards Fenny Stratford, Lakes Estate or Newton Longville will operate every 20 mins (Mon - Sat Daytime) and Service 7E towards Bletchley/Fenny Stratford will run Hourly (Mon - Sat evenings) direct to Stadium MK, stopping adjacent to the stadium entrance. Journey time approx 20 - 25 mins. Also bus number 32 also operates hourly from the Central Milton Keynes Station to the Stadium (Saxon Street/Dawson Road) but in one direction only (i.e. you can't get the 32 back to the Station).

 

Where to drink:

 

Last season beer in the stadium was £3.40 for a 500ml plastic bottles of Carlsberg.

 

The stadium has the Red Dot Bar, into which away fans are usually welcomed provided any colours are kept reasonably discrete. This bar also shows Sky Sports.

 

Pub-wise, you don't have much choice. The most popular venue remains the Beacon on Mount Farm (which also has a fair bit of parking and they don't mind you leaving the car there during the game - best to check with the management to confirm this!) simply because it's closest. It's a friendly enough place as far as fans go, but the place itself leaves a lot to be desired. It is around a 10 minute walk away, in the nearby Mount Farm area. With the stadium entrance in front of you and Asda over to the right, then the pub is located on an industrial estate behind the stadium. From the back of the stadium, cross over the road and go down Dawson Road, which is in front of you. At the bottom of Dawson Road turn right into Bond Avenue and the pub is down on the right, situated next to a small lake.

 

There are not many nearby alternatives, although rail travellers getting off at Bletchley can choose en route from the Eight Belles or Enigma Tavern on Saxon Street, about a 15 minute walk from the stadium. The Enigma pub also offers food, has a large beer garden and is child friendly. To find this pub from the stadium, just follow the signs for Bletchley by Asda and you will reach the pub on your left.

 

Fenny Stratford is a mile south of the stadium along Watling Street, and has five pubs within a stone’s throw of each other, but again expect a fifteen minute walk to the stadium. The Swan Hotel is on the junction of Watling Street, Aylesbury Road and Simpson Road. It has a basic range of beers, but they serve good value food on a match day. The menu is the usual Pub stuff of sandwiches and main meals and they also serve a fantastic Breakfast until 1.30pm. The Red Lion on Simpson Road is in a nice setting right on the Lock. To get to both pubs from Fenny Stratford station you need to turn left as you step off the train. Walk down to the level crossing and turn right for The Swan Hotel and left for The Red Lion. Both pubs are just a couple of minutes from the level crossing.

 

Some supporters have used The Dolphin on Whaddon Way, but it is a little more difficult to find. Alternatively, the local Railway Club has said it would be happy to cater for football fans and the beer is a bit cheaper too.

 

Alternatively, it may be an idea instead to drink on the way or in Milton Keynes itself. There are a number of bars located adjacent to the main shopping centre, or in walking distance of Milton Keynes Central station. If coming out of the station you go straight up Midsummer Boulevard in front of you, then after around five minutes walk you will find a Wetherspoon’s outlet located on the left. Further up Midsummer Boulevard on the right is another Wetherspoon’s outlet called the Secklow Hundred, plus a Bar Med and All Bar One. These are about a fifteen minute walk from the stadium.

 

Where to eat:

Food is available in the stadium but it is expensive.

 

There are KFC and McDonald’s outlets, plus cafes in the Asda next door and Ikea. If you want a chippy, the nearest is Napoli's in Fenny Stratford. If you are arriving early, the City Centre has lots of places to eat in the Theatre District.

 

 

[Diego_Sideburns]

Bumped!

[LaticsLee]

carnt wait for this

[opinions4u]

flags are not allowed in unless they come with their fire certificate

Tossers.

[creepy]

the A5 Watling Street, a sacred road for us history buffs