Here’s what’s worth knowing in Milton Keynes this week.
Arriva to change Milton Keynes bus routes from 30 Aug
Arriva is changing a number of Milton Keynes bus routes and timetables from Sunday 30 Aug, including the X6, services 3/3A, 5, 6/6A and 7/7S.
One of the biggest changes is to the X6 between Milton Keynes and Aylesbury. From Milton Keynes, it will run along Saxon Street past Stadium MK, then call at Bletchley Bus Station before continuing to Buckingham and Aylesbury. Stony Stratford, Old Stratford, Granborough and North Marston will no longer be served by the X6. A new 6A will instead link Fairfields with Milton Keynes up to hourly from Monday to Saturday.
Elsewhere, service 5 will return to Mount Farm via Bond Avenue and Bletcham Way, while services 7 and 7S will begin serving Conniburrow and Bradwell Common. Services 3 and 3A will become two one-way loops through Glebe Farm, Eagle Farm, Amazon and Magna Park, with some early-morning and late-evening journeys extended to Wolverton and Stony Stratford for shift workers.
The X15 will be withdrawn because of low usage, while the X14 and several other services will have timetable or stop changes. Arriva says the network update follows customer feedback. Anyone who regularly uses an affected service should check the new route and timetable before travelling from 30 Aug.
🕒 Changes from Sun 30 Aug
📍 Routes across Milton Keynes
Credit: Arriva UK Bus
Shenley Wood gets accessibility improvements and three new trails
The Parks Trust has completed a series of accessibility improvements at Shenley Wood and opened three new trails through the ancient woodland.
The improvements were developed with the charity’s Access Ambassadors and include a new wheelchair-accessible ramp from the car park, clearer signs and wayfinding, updated maps showing gradients and steps, more benches, a new footbridge and improved drainage along surfaced paths. The Parks Trust says the changes are intended to make it easier for more people to explore the woodland with confidence.
Credit: The Parks Trust
One of the new routes is the Accessible Sound Trail, which follows surfaced paths and includes seven stations where visitors can scan QR codes to hear stories and sounds connected with Shenley Wood. There are also tactile rubbing discs along the route, while families can download a free Sound Trail Challenge booklet containing activities about the woodland’s history, wildlife and plants.
Visitors looking to explore further can use the Woodland Discovery Loop, which follows unsurfaced paths into the wood and passes the hidden Woodland Glade, or the longer Woodland Edge Trail, which runs around the perimeter using surfaced footpaths and cycle routes.
The Parks Trust says the accessible loop is entirely on surfaced paths and wheelchair accessible. Its new maps also show gradients and whether visitors should expect steps, while drainage improvements are designed to make parts of the woodland easier to use during wetter winter months.
📍 Shenley Wood
Credit: The Parks Trust
FREE school-holiday guide to support neurodivergent young people
Parents and carers can download a free guide designed to help support neurodivergent young people during the school holidays.
Thames Valley mental health and housing charity Response says the loss of school structure and changes to routine during the six-week break can increase anxiety and sensory overload and contribute to burnout for some young people.
The guide focuses on ways to reduce anxiety and support emotional regulation during the holidays. Response has also published free online resources covering sleep, social media, starting university and coping with change.
The free guide includes guidance, support, resources and templates to help families and others supporting neurodivergent young people during the holidays.
Credit: Response
More than 30 tribute acts coming to Campbell Park for two-day festival
Milton Keynes Tribute Festival – also known as MKF 2026 – returns to Campbell Park on Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 Aug, with more than 30 tribute acts performing across three stages.
The line-up includes tributes to artists including Elton John, Eminem, The Killers, Foo Fighters, Black Sabbath, Pearl Jam and Slipknot. Alongside the live music, the festival will have a funfair, food stands and bars.
The event is organised by UK Tribute Festivals and is designed as a family-friendly weekend. Advance tickets are required for everyone aged six and over; children aged five and under can attend free. A £1 processing fee applies per order.
Both Saturday and Sunday VIP tickets are currently sold out, but standard tickets remain on sale.
🕒 Sat 29–Sun 30 Aug
📍 Campbell Park
🎟 Adults £18; ages 13–17 £12.40; ages 6–12 £11.25; ages 5 & under free + £1 processing fee per order
llustrative image. Credit: alexandreeliasfotografia elias / Pexels
Young people can build their own FM radio at Bletchley Park
Young people aged 12–18 can build their own working FM radio at the National Radio Centre at Bletchley Park on Thursday 27 Aug.
During the hands-on workshop, participants will assemble a VHF FM radio receiver with support from volunteers at the National Radio Centre. Once completed, they can take the radio home with them.
There are two sessions during the day, running from 10am–12:30pm and 1:15pm–3:45pm. The workshop costs £11 per person and advance booking is required.
The National Radio Centre is housed at Bletchley Park and is run by the Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB).
🕒 Thu 27 Aug, 10am–12:30pm or 1:15pm–3:45pm
📍 National Radio Centre, Bletchley Park
🎟 £11 per person – booking required
Credit: RSGB (Radio Society of Great Britain)
What’s on in Milton Keynes
Looking for something to do locally? Here are a few ideas for the week ahead:
🕒 Tue 25 – Sat 29 Aug:
Dirty Dancing
Dirty Dancing returns to Milton Keynes Theatre for five days. Performances are at 7:30pm Tue–Thu, 5pm and 8:30pm on Fri, and 2:30pm and 7:30pm on Sat. Age guidance is 14+.
📍 Milton Keynes Theatre, 500 Marlborough Gate, MK9 3NZ
🎟 Paid; prices vary by performance
Buy tickets →
Free & Local ::
🕒 Thu 27 Aug, 12pm:
Inclusive Stroll at Furzton Lake
Join a free, gentle guided walk around Furzton Lake lasting around 1–1.5 hours. It is designed for all ages and abilities, with wheelchair-accessible routes and hearing support available on request. No booking is required.
📍 Furzton Lake; meet at Triple Star car park on V4 Watling Street
🎟 Free; no booking required
Event details →
🕒 Sat 29 Aug, 11am–2pm:
The Great Get Together – Woburn Sands
Meet neighbours, enjoy refreshments and activities, and speak to council teams and partners about local services, including housing advice. The event is free and open to everyone.
📍 Memorial Hall, 4 High Street, Woburn Sands, MK17 8RH
🎟 Free; no booking requirement stated
Event details →
🕒 Sun 30 Aug, 11am–5pm:
🌮 Sophie’s Street Feast 2026
Street food, live music and family entertainment return to MK City Discovery Centre. Entry is free, but organisers ask visitors to book a free ticket in advance. A Quiet Hour runs from 11am–12pm with lower background music and no live performances in the festival tent.
📍 MK City Discovery Centre, Alston Drive, MK13 9AP
🎟 Free; free advance ticket requested
Book / read the FAQs →
Free at Libraries ::
🕒 Tue 25 Aug:
Tuesday library drop-ins
Baby Songs and Rhymes for under-twos runs from 10–10.30am at Central Library and is free with no booking. Knit, Natter and Stitch follows from 1–3pm at Central Library, while Olney Library’s all-age Games Club runs from 2.30–4.30pm; parents must stay with children.
📍 Central Library and Olney Library
Songs & Rhymes for Under 2s →
Knit, Natter and Stitch →
Games Club at Olney Library →
Explore more local events on Eventbrite and Destination Milton Keynes.
Quick question for you
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See you next issue.
Toby
MK Digest