Museum in Milton Keynes: 6 Best Places To Visit

Milton Keynes is a city near Hertfordshire in England. This largest town is in the north-west of London. It is abundant in rivers, lakes, ponds, and wet woodland. Altogether it offers people physical and mental well-being. You should also plan to visit at least one museum in Milton Keynes.

What is the City Famous For?

The city of Milton Keynes is famous for its public art as well as greenery. Despite this, it has many festivals of multi-arts and theatres. There are many music venues, art galleries, lavish places to eat and museums.

There are nearly 180 art galleries and museums across Milton Keynes. Here, we have come up with the best museums in Milton Keynes. Indeed, these are important from a historic perspective. 

Almost all the museums in Milton Keynes are worth watching. 

Here are the Best Museums in Milton Keynes

1. The National Museum of Computing, a Museum in Milton Keynes

Address: Block H, Bletchley Park, Bletchley, Milton Keynes MK3 6EB, UK

Opening hours: 10.30 am – 5 pm (except Monday, Wednesday and Friday)

The National Museum of Computing was founded in the year 2007. Indeed, it is famous for its collection of historic computers. It has the world’s most extensive collection of historic computers.

The computers include the world’s earliest working digital computer, WITCH. Also, there is the rebuilt Colossus and the first electronic computer.

This place uncovers a history of technology. It includes exhibitions on coding, mainframe computers, and digital computers. Also, it collects and keeps the historic computers in functional order.

Despite this, learning programmes are also run for the students. It also promotes the basics of computer coding among youngsters. And especially females are encouraged about the work of scientists and engineers.

2. Milton Keynes Museum: Oldest Museum in Milton Keynes

Address: McConnell Drive, Wolverton, Milton Keynes MK12 5EL, UK

Opening hours: Everyday 10.30 am – 4.30 pm

Previously Milton Keynes Museum was known as Stacey Hill Station. And it was renamed in 1973. It is operated by paid staff, certainly volunteers.

As a result, it traces the past of the city since 1800. 

The city of Milton Keynes was formed in 1967 as an independent city. As a result of the development process, the city lost its beauty of villages and farmlands.

It encompasses a collection of domestic, rural, agricultural, industrial, and social aspects. These all are of the former times and related to Milton Keynes before its formation.

It also includes historic switchboards and telephones that are in working condition.

It has some British Telecom and Post Office vehicles. Also, it has a Granary Tea Room that serves delicious snacks and drinks. In fact, most of the kids love the place.

During your trip, you should also try to visit the MK Gallery with your children. It is just 10 minutes away from here. And this is the gallery where Larry Achiampong, a famous artist, held his exhibition in October 2022.

3. Oxford University’s Museum of Natural History

Address: Parks Rd, Oxford OX1 3PW, UK

Opening hours: Everyday 10 am to – 5 pm

Oxford University’s Museum of Natural History is known for its collection of natural specimens.

In summary, the collections are divided into three categories-

1. Earth Collections: include rock, mineral and paleontological collections
2. Life Collections: include entomological and zoological collections
3. Archive Collections

The museum holds about five million specimens from Oxford University. For example- specimens of arachnids, insects and dinosaurs. Also, the remains of the only soft tissue of the bird dodo are preserved here.

At the Museums Heritage Awards in 2016, it was awarded the Best of the Best. In 2015, it was the finalist in the Art Fund Prize for Museum of the Year.

4. Pitt Rivers Museum Milton Keynes

Address: S Parks Rd, Oxford OX1 3PP, United Kingdom

Opening hours: Monday- 12 noon – 5 pm, Tuesday to Sunday- 10 am – 5 pm

Pitt Rivers Museum is well-known for its anthropological and archaeological collections. It is situated east of the previously discussed Museum of Natural History.

Augustus Pitt Rivers founded it in 1884. The place features great treasures and everyday objects. These are of diverse cultures from almost all parts of the globe.

The main highlight is that the artifacts are grouped based on their type and function. However, they are not grouped according to their culture or region.

Moreover, it also has collections of manuscripts, audio recordings, and photographs. In 2005, Guardian Newspaper awarded it as the Family Friendly Museum.

5. National Film and Sci-Fi Museum: Recent Museum in Milton Keynes

Address: 34 Secklow Gate W, Milton Keynes MK9 3AT, UK

Opening hours: 10 am to – 5 pm (except Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday)

National Film and Sci-Fi Museum is a place of charisma for science fiction and film fans. The place provides an entertaining and educational experience. In fact, it illustrates vast historical facts of genres.

It displays numerous footage, art, costumes, and props. These were used in the movies like ‘Star TrekSCI-FI’ and ‘Star Wars’. Moreover, it also showcases Indiana Jones’ Whip, James Bond’s PPK gun and so on. 

Around a hundred films and shows are available to view in the museum. Apart from this, it offers a real virtual experience of different films.

It also organizes several events and exhibitions on various topics. For example, it exhibits facts about science, fiction, films of former times, etc.

6. Ashmolean Museum in Milton Keynes

Address: Beaumont St, Oxford OX1 2PH, UK

Opening hours: Every day 10 am – 5 pm

The Ashmolean Museum is one of the first museums. It was to open to the public in 1683. 

It displays fine art and specimens of archaeology. The collections include modern art, Egyptian mummies and the stories of different cultures. 

The collections feature Majolica, Greek and Minoan pottery, English silver, and paintings. It also displays antiquities from Sudan and Ancient Egypt.

Therefore, some main highlights of this museum are-

1. The Alfred Jewel
2. Paintings by Titian, John Constable, etc.
3. Oliver Cromwell’s Death mask
4. A collection of Posie rings
5. Ancient time objects from Central Bulgaria
6. Drawings by Raphael 

Conclusion

The museums in Milton Keynes range from various aspects. Most of the visitors plan their trip for Saturday and Sunday. And most of them plan their trip during holidays.

To clarify, the staff team at the museums is so generous. For example- they are always welcoming visitors with happy faces. 

Indeed, you should plan a visit to Milton Keynes museums. But before visiting, contact the staff so, you do not face any difficulty. You might be asked to pay the parking fees at some places if visited by your own transport.

So, finally plan your trip to Milton Keynes. Visit, get your photos clicked, and enjoy and relax.

See Also: 5 Best Museums in Oxford