Discover the spirit of Christmas through stories, characters, and creativity at the once-secret home of Britain’s Codebreakers.

This December, Bletchley Park will be filled with history and festive fun in A Codebreakers’ Christmas, running from 4 to 30 December 2025.

Visitors of all ages are invited to immerse themselves in the world of Christmas at World War Two Bletchley Park by meeting Codebreaker characters found around the site, enjoying interactive live theatre and taking part in hands-on creative activities.

More than a festive day out, it’s an experience that will engage, inspire, and connect visitors with the story of the Codebreakers of Bletchley Park, and is perfect for those looking for something unique to do with their family or friends.

What Visitors Can Experience

• Encounter Characters from Wartime Bletchley Park Step into the 1940s and meet lively characters inspired by those who worked at Bletchley Park. Discover how they celebrated Christmas and experience stories that will bring the history of the WW2 codebreaking centre to life in an engaging way.
• Interactive Theatre: A Christmas Carol The Bletchley Park Drama Society are rehearsing for their production of A Christmas Carol, and they will need the help of visitors to make sure they are ready for opening night. A playful and participatory experience that blends theatre, history, and festive magic.
• Hands-On Craft Workshops The Codebreakers at Bletchley Park used what they had available, including scrap paper, to make decorations to bring some festive cheer to their workplaces. Children and adults can create their own Christmas decorations to take home as a personal memento of the day.
• Festive sweets and treats Enjoy some traditional Christmas flavours in the onsite Café and Coffee Shop, with hot and cold food on offer. Visitors can enjoy a festive lunch or a delicious mince pie with an indulgent hot chocolate to warm up even the coldest winter days.
• Vintage Grotto For younger visitors, a (separately ticketed) grotto experience, allows a magical visit with Father Christmas, adding an extra touch of festive magic to the day. Book in advance online.

Why Visit

A Codebreakers’ Christmas is an immersive experience where visitors can engage with Bletchley Park in a new and fun way. Step into the story, meet fascinating characters, enjoy interactive theatre, and try your hand at crafts, all while celebrating Christmas in a way that is unique, inspiring, and unforgettable.

All You Need To Know

• Dates: 4-30 December 2025 – Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays plus 22, 23, 29 and 30 December
• Location: Bletchley Park, Milton Keynes
• Tickets and full details: Included with admission to Bletchley Park
  www.bletchleypark.org.uk

Follow in the tyre tracks of F1 legends Lewis Hamilton, George Russell and Lando Norris as you experience one of the world’s largest Christmas light trails, only at Silverstone from 12 December 2025 – 3 January 2026.

This winter, Silverstone’s Lap of Lights returns by popular demand, transforming the home of British motorsport into a glittering festive wonderland. Bigger, brighter, and even more breathtaking, the world-famous Grand Prix circuit becomes a spectacular celebration of speed, light, and seasonal spirit.

Drive your own car around the legendary track, guided by a dazzling trail featuring ten immersive light installations, 35 lasers, and over 7,000 LED panels, an electrifying festive experience that merges motorsport heritage with Christmas magic.

After your lap, continue the adventure with a glide around the Ice Trak rink, weaving through the iconic F1 garages before heading to Silverstone’s festive food and drink garage. Here, guests can savour yuletide favourites such as German sausages and mince pies, warm up with mulled wine and hot chocolate and sample mouth-watering sweet treats, the perfect way to round off your Lap of Lights experience.

New for this year, Santa’s Garage in partnership with LEGO, offers a truly magical experience for younger visitors. Step inside Father Christmas’s high-octane workshop to see an exclusive LEGO F1 car and trophy, get up close to real F1 cars and meet Santa and his team of mischievous elf technicians as they prepare his sleigh. It’s a festive pit stop that combines the magic of Christmas with the thrill of motorsport, creating memories to treasure.

And for those looking to tick off their Christmas list, Lap of Lights also offers the perfect opportunity to shop Silverstone’s official merchandise, ideal for finding unique stocking fillers and gifts for motorsport fans of all ages.

Perfect for families, friends, and racing enthusiasts alike, Lap of Lights offers an unforgettable journey through themed zones that react and shimmer as your car passes by, all to the upbeat soundtrack of ELF FM, blending racing-inspired beats with Christmas classics.

Route highlights include:

• Glittering Gateway through the iconic Copse Corner
• Sledspeed Straight charging through Maggots and Becketts
• Fastest Lapland finale down the legendary Hamilton Straight

Race towards Christmas this winter with Lap of Lights at Silverstone, where festive wonder meets motorsport magic.

Spaces are filling fast for this unmissable festive drive-through spectacular. Bring your family or a car full of friends – one ticket covers everyone. Secure your place from just £50 per car.

Tickets for Santa’s Garage are now on sale and selling fast! Book early to secure your slot, prices start from £18.

Top up your Lap of Lights experience with an unforgettable skating session at the Ice Trak. Prices start from £8.45 per person.

BOOK HERE – https://www.silverstone.co.uk/events/lap-of-lights

Families can join Stick Man for a magical winter adventure as the beloved character, based on the beautiful picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, launches a brand-new Christmas trail at Forestry England’s Salcey Forest.

From 5 November through December 2025, Salcey Forest will host specially designed Stick Man Christmas trails, where families can team up with Stick Man and Santa as they deliver the final present. This interactive festive adventure invites young explorers to enjoy lots of fun wintry activities whilst keeping a lookout for hidden letters to discover who the special gift is for.

Josephine Lovelle, National Membership and Marketing Manager at Forestry England, said:

“We’re thrilled to bring families this magical Christmas adventure with Stick Man. This festive trail perfectly combines the joy of storytelling with outdoor winter exploration, helping children connect with nature during the most wonderful time of year. Through interactive activities and seasonal discoveries, families can create special Christmas memories whilst learning about how trees and animals adapt to the colder months. It’s fantastic to see how Stick Man continues to inspire families to explore the nation’s beautiful forests together.”

To make the adventure even more special, families can purchase a Christmas trail pack for just £4. The pack includes everything needed to complete the trail: an A5 envelope to colour in, a Christmas trail leaflet to complete, festive stickers, a pencil, a ‘magic’ reveal lens to uncover hidden letters, and a wooden Stick Man keyring – the perfect keepsake to treasure the adventure.

As families follow the trail panels, they’ll take part in a festive scavenger hunt, uncover hidden letters, and enjoy fun activities inspired by the wintry forest. The trail also offers fascinating facts about how woodland wildlife prepares for winter, making learning about nature engaging and memorable for young adventurers.

The Christmas trail continues the successful partnership between Forestry England and Magic Light Pictures, which began in 2014, bringing Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s beloved characters to life in natural settings. With plenty of seasonal cheer, woodland wonders, and Christmas magic, this trail offers the perfect way for families to celebrate the season together in the great outdoors.

To find your nearest participating forest and plan your Stick Man Christmas adventure, visit:
Stick Man Christmas trail at Salcey Forest | Forestry England

Photo credit: Forestry England/Crown copyright

Electronic music legends The Prodigy have confirmed they are returning to the National Bowl in Milton Keynes for the Warriors Dance Festival on Saturday 22 August 2026.

The Prodigy last played at the iconic National Bowl venue in Milton Keynes in July 2010, for their original Warrior’s Dance Festival, which marked the bands 20th anniversary. The sold-out show attracted 65,000 fans and featured support acts like Pendulum and Enter Shikari, with The Prodigy’s setlist including hits from their back catalog.

In 2026, the band bring their Warriors Dance experience to you, complete with new production and their sonically attacking wall of sound.

General tickets on sale NOW via:

https://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/
https://www.gigsandtours.com/

Milton Keynes’ entertainment scene reached new heights this weekend as MERKUR Casino unveiled its new flagship venue inside Xscape with a show stopping launch event that combined glamour, entertainment and excitement.

Hundreds of guests, including local dignitaries, media, influencers and VIPs, gathered to witness the official ribbon-cutting and experience a night that captured the energy and ambition behind the MERKUR brand.

The evening delivered non-stop live entertainment, featuring performances from Oasis, Queen and Robbie Williams tribute acts, before DJ vs live band concept, The Benny Blanco Allstars took to the stage to bring the celebrations to a finale.

Adding to the spectacle. Roaming performers captivated guests throughout the night, transforming the new 22,000 sq ft venue into a vibrant celebration of music, lights and atmosphere. The excitement continued with a series of exclusive prize giveaways, headlined by a £10,000 cash prize.

Mark Schertle, Chief Operating Officer at MERKUR Casino UK Ltd, said: “The opening marks a defining moment for MERKUR and for the city itself. The atmosphere on launch night was simply electric and a true celebration of what we stand for – entertainment, energy and community.

“We’ve created a destination that blends first-class gaming with live entertainment and a premium social experience, and it’s fantastic to see guests embracing it from day one.”

Dan Murphy, Centre Director at Xscape Milton Keynes said, “We’re thrilled with the incredible success of the unforgettable opening celebration of MERKUR Casino at Xscape.

“The new casino, complete with its impressive sports bar and entertainment spaces, has created a real buzz – offering guests an elevated experience that blends excitement, energy, and top-quality entertainment. It’s fantastic to see such a dynamic addition to Xscape Milton Keynes, bringing even more vibrancy and excitement to the destination.”

The successful launch underscores MERKUR’s commitment to its UK growth strategy and its aim to become one of the best casino destinations outside of London. The venue is now fully open, with the launch event setting the scene for the high-calibre programme of events the casino will continue to host.

For further details visit https://merkurcasinouk.com/casino/

Photo credit: Lightdraw Photography

The original Mary Poppins film came out in 1964. That makes it over 60 years old, yet it’s a movie that brings out childhood memories like no other. Remembering back to sitting on the sofa as a family, mesmerised by the magical, now iconic story of the ‘practically perfect’ nanny arriving by umbrella to change the lives of the Banks family on Cherry Tree Lane.

As a child you were drawn into this world, it was probably the first time you’d ever seen ‘special effects’ in a movie, a talking parrot handle, on-screen flying, and actors interacting with animated penguins…it blew many tiny minds back them and quite a few since.

The new version of the movie arrived in 2018 with Mary Poppins Returns and brought a whole new wave of fans into the Mary Poppins world. But with all this movie magic, how would the stage show match up. As a Cameron Mackintosh and Disney production, you have certain expectations for the staging and sets but mostly you desperately want it to live up to those childhood memories that you cherish so much.

After award-winning runs in the West End and on Broadway this new UK & Ireland tour has made its way to Milton Keynes Theatre for a month-long stint until 22 November.

Almost from the moment the curtain goes up, you know you’re in for a visual feast – the sets are honestly jaw-dropping. They effortlessly transport you to the Banks’ grand house, the children’s nursery, the park and the rooftops of London town – so you’re fully immersed into the world of Mary Poppins.

Acclaimed Australian stars, Stefanie Jones and Jack Chambers play the roles of Mary Poppins and Bert, we were little concerned about their accents creeping through, but no need to worry the prim English and cockney accents held true throughout. They are both absolutely superb. Stefanie Jones commands the stage with a self-assured presence that grounds the production, but her warmth still shines through. Her clipped, comedy timing is ‘spit-spot’ on. As with Julie Andrews in the movie, she doesn’t need to overplay the character, her restraint reels the audience in and is totally believable.

Opposite her, Jack Chambers has the charisma and energy to bring Bert to life, his cheekiness and on-stage presence perfectly balance against Mary’s rigidity. You can’t help but warm to both the characters as they take you through the wonderful story with ease and grace.

The rest of the cast are equally as brilliant, but we must give a special shout out to the Banks children played by Connie Jones and Oli Manning in the performance we saw. They are on stage for a lot of this production and there’s nowhere to hide. They dance, they sing, they act and they do it all superbly well.

The ‘Bird Woman’ was played by the iconic Patti Boulaye and although she only sings that one classic song, she does it with ease and again, brings a warmth to a much-loved character.

All your favourite songs are here ‘A Spoonful of Sugar’, ‘Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious’, ‘Step in Time’ and ‘Chim Chim Cher-ee’ plus many beautiful new songs written especially for the musical.

But honestly, the choreography within the musical numbers is what makes this show shine above many others. They are executed with such joy and energy that you can’t help but get swept along in the happiness they bring to the audience. No spoilers but ‘Step in Time’ has to be one of the best musical dance numbers ever in theatre-land. The set design, the tap dancing, the costumes, the lighting and the spectacular gravity-defying conclusion leave you stunned and elated in equal measure.

And as Mary Poppins departs, umbrella and bag in hand, once again your jaw ends up firmly on the floor as some truly remarkable theatre trickery concludes the show and you’re left yearning to see it all over again.

There have been many incredible shows at Milton Keynes Theatre over the years, but this is up there in our Top Three, maybe even the best ever. It’s truly a production that transports you into another world – for two and half hours, you forget about the madness of the world outside, you become that child again, taken back to a simpler time of magic and music, and it really is ‘practically perfect’ in every way.

Mary Poppins runs until Saturday 22 November. Matinee performances on Wednesday and Saturday. 2pm show only on Sundays.

Tickets available from £25 – buy here:
https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/mary-poppins/milton-keynes-theatre/

Age guidance: 7+. Children under the age of 5 will not be admitted into the theatre.

“It’s Milton Keynes at its best – innovative, collaborative, unique.” – IF:MK 2025 audience member

The eighth edition of IF: Milton Keynes International Festival took place from 18 to 27 July – and the Festival has created a highlights film to celebrate its successes and impact on the city.

243 event and exhibition days – including two world premieres and four UK premieres – were presented in 12 different locations, among them centre:mk, the Festival’s Headline Partner; The Fred Roche Gardens; The Open University’s Walton Hall campus; Campbell Park; The MK Rose; Midsummer Place; The Church of Christ The Cornerstone; Xscape; and locations across Wolverton. There were 15,367 tickets sold and 63,000 attendances with visitors from as far afield as Aberdeen, Brighton, Newcastle, Liverpool, Southampton and St Ives. A further 210,000 people are estimated to have experienced the Festival as they encountered events taking place in the public realm. 72% of the events were free to attend.

Artists came from Australia, Belgium, Canada, Catalonia, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Spain as well as the UK. In total, 391 professional artists and crew were employed. 744 hotel rooms and apartments were booked and 2638 meals were served to them over the ten days!

6,160 community participants were involved in this year’s Festival. They took part in events including Michael Pendry’s art-for-peace multi-media installation Les Colombes and Milton Keynes poet Maureen Onwunali’s commissioned poem Utopia in Verse.  Les Colombes saw over 2,000 white paper doves suspended from the roof of Middleton Hall in centre:mk. Local people made doves for the installation and for their homes, shops, offices and community spaces creating a second City-wide installation. Young people and members of the community contributed their thoughts on what utopia looked like for them during workshops with Maureen.

The Festival would like to thank its many partners and supporters this year including: Arts Council England, Milton Keynes City Council, Headline Partner centre:mk; Inclusion Partner Milton Keynes Community Foundation; Pop-up Events Partner MyMiltonKeynes; Knowledge Partner The Open University; Green Spaces Partner The Parks Trust; VIP Green Room Partner Howden; Spiegeltent Family Event Partner Neves Solicitors; Community Event Partner Unity Place and Event Partners David Lock Associates, MHA, Midsummer Place and Xscape; Producing Partners The Church of Christ The Cornerstone, The Kindom of The Netherlands, Milton Keynes Development Partnership, MK Gallery, The MK Rose, Milton Keynes Theatre, MK College Group, NiftyLift and The Poetry Society; Festival Supporters Brewpoint, Brioche Pasquier, Click Arts Foundation + Specsavers, Collaborate MK, Europcar, Glenbrook and Urban Splash, John Lewis Partnership, MK Business Leaders, M&M Supplies, Stratstone Milton Keynes BMW and the YMCA Milton Keynes; Media Partners MKFM and Pulse Group Media; Wolverton Location Partners Electrolux Group, Elite Carpet & Furniture, HCGB, MK Christian Foundation, The Old Bath House, The Secret Garden, The Shop on The Square, Unity MK, Wolverton Benefice, Wolverton Supermarket and Wolverton & Greenleys Town Council.

The Festival is also extremely grateful to all of the artists, staff, local experts and contributors and the 216 volunteers who worked on the Festival.

Monica Ferguson, Festival Director and Chief Executive of The Stables which founded and produces IF: Milton Keynes International Festival said: “We want to thank all of the artists, audiences and supporters who made the 2025 Festival so special.  The excitement builds in the run up to and during the Festival as artists from around the world embed themselves in Milton Keynes and the positive impact felt across the City is a testament to everyone who helped us plan and deliver 10 amazing days ”

Hazel Edwards, South East Area Director, Arts Council England said: “The Festival provides a moment to really see the impact of investing in arts and culture with partners from the public, private and charitable sectors working together to showcase thought-provoking and joyous events and installations.”

Kevin Duffy, Centre Director of centre:mk, the Festival’s Headline Partner said: “We always look forward to the vibrant animation of centre:mk which the International Festival provides.  Using the City as a stage, it provides an energy for visitors that captures the imagination in a unique way.”

Cllr Shankika Mahendran, Cabinet Member for Planning & Placemaking, said: ““It was an exceptional Festival once again, bringing world-class cultural experiences to Milton Keynes.”

Watch the IF:MK 2025 highlights film:
https://ifmiltonkeynes.org/look-back-at-if-2025

Main photo above top left – credit Carys Underwood

The region’s premier shopping destination, centre:mk, welcomes new Peter Rabbit and Friends™- themed Grotto for festive celebrations in Milton Keynes this festive season.

Santa’s grotto opeed on 21 November and brings a brand-new festive adventure to share with visitors at centre:mk, in partnership with Penguin Books.

Up until 24 December, when Santa must fly off for a busy night on his sleigh, families visiting the Grotto will first meet Mrs Rabbit, who will tell the children about Peter’s lost Christmas presents. Children will use clues to help Mrs Rabbit search for the missing presents, before adventuring out into the snowy forest through Peter’s secret tunnel. They’ll also decorate gingerbread biscuits for the Christmas feast, before meeting Santa himself to complete their festive journey. Each child will receive their decorated biscuit and a lovely gift from Santa.

Kevin Duffy, Director of centre:mk, commented: “Christmas is always a special time for us, and this year we’re especially pleased to welcome Peter Rabbit and Friends™ to Santa’s Grotto with a brand-new adventure. centre:mk is here to make the festive season unforgettable for families and visitors from across the country, with our enchanting events, huge range of shops and variety of cafés and restaurants on offer. At the heart of it all is the joy of creating magical memories for children and giving families a truly special day out.”

Starlight Square’s magic continues beyond the Grotto with a series of magical rides and attractions, including a Christmas Virtual Reality sleigh ride, a train ride, an old-school full-size Helter Skelter, a double-decker Victorian Carousel and a Christmas Market featuring independent local businesses and festive food & drink.

Along with thousands of twinkling lights, decorations throughout the centre and free selfie points to capture the perfect Family photo, centre:mk is a destination where you can really find that festive feeling in a wonderful day out.

centre:mk is one of the top 10 shopping destinations in the UK, located 30 minutes from London in Milton Keynes.

Tickets for Santa’s Grotto are now on sale, priced at £14.50 for children, £6 for adults and £4.50 for babies under the age of one from November 21^st to 24^th. During December, tickets are priced at £16 for children, £6.50 for adults and £5 for babies under one (prices exclude booking fee).

For more information and to book your tickets, visit:
https://www.centremk.com/whats-on/events/santas-grotto-with-peter-rabbit-friends/

Unity Place is shining a spotlight on local musicians, giving emerging talent from Milton Keynes, and the surrounding area, a stage to share their sound, grow their skills, and connect with the community.

In collaboration with National Sound, a local music company supporting emerging talent from across the region, Unity Place is hosting regular live music nights covering different genres of music including jazz, folk, blues and soft rock. Together, they’re making sure local voices are heard, offering musicians opportunities to rehearse, perform, and collaborate.

National Sound was founded in 2020 by musicians, for musicians. Their aim is to be a pillar of creativity, laying down the foundations to help support musicians across Milton Keynes, giving them spaces to rehearse, chances to play and helping them to learn from each other and create together.

“Unity Place has given us the perfect stage to connect artists with their community,” says Dan from National Sound. “It’s all about giving local voices a platform.”

Through regular live music nights, which celebrates the region’s diverse soundscape, Unity Place is giving new performers the chance to shine while helping them craft their own on-stage skills. Alongside scheduled performances, Open Mic Nights offer a platform for new voices to step up, gain confidence, and connect with local audiences.

The live music nights take place in the Unity Sky Lounge, a rooftop bar with city views that set the stage for local talent to shine. These events are about swapping solo streaming for shared experiences – stepping out to hear real music, played live, by musicians from the community.  With a relaxed atmosphere and a signature cocktail or two, these nights bring people together to support homegrown artists and enjoy the energy that only a live performance can create.

Adam Holbrook, Head of Placemaking for Unity Place commented, “We always wanted Unity Place to be more than just a building, we strongly believe in nurturing a community – it’s about growing, taking care of one another, and creating opportunities for all to thrive. We’re proud to work with local organisations, charities, and businesses to make that happen.”

One local artist, Manny, who has performed at Unity Place, said, “Being a local musician in Milton Keynes, it’s not always easy to find intimate venues where people truly come for the music. Playing at Unity Place has given me a safe and uplifting space where my songs can really thrive. It’s helped me grow as a musician, but more importantly, seeing the way it touches the audience has had such a positive impact on me. And having the chance to be paid for doing what I love means the world – it’s something every musician hopes for.”

Unity Live Lounge Presents: Soulful Tunes
What: Acoustic live music by Heidi Browne
When: Thursday 30 October, 7pm
Where: Unity Sky Lounge

To find out about the next live music nights at Unity Place got to:
https://www.unityplace.co.uk/whats-on-milton-keynes/

Ready to make this half-term one to remember? Xscape Milton Keynes got your back. From hair-raising activities and epic adventures to their favourite food picks to suit every taste, Xscape is serving up the ultimate half-term line up. So, put those school shoes in the cupboard, dust off your freshest kicks, and let the action begin…

BRING THE ENERGY

If you and your crew have energy to burn, you’ve come to the right place. You can work up a sweat at Gravity’s open jump, reach new heights at a Gravity Rocks climbing session, or get your skiing gear on and hit the slopes at Snozone. Got little ones in need of entertainment? Head to Funstation, where Hungry Hippos, soft-toy-packed claw machines, and a glow-up whack-a-mole await!

CHALLENGE ACCEPTED

There’s nothing wrong with a little bit of healthy competition and at Xscape they’ve got tons of options when it comes to choosing your battleground! Step into a neon-lit arena and fight for a top score at Hollywood Bowl, get stuck into arcade games at Funstation, or make tracks for Volcano Falls for a golf adventure with a competitive twist. Alternatively, if you’re feeling friendly, you can unite as a team and race against the clock at Escape Hunt.

TIME TO FEAST

After a day of non-stop fun, you’re going to want to refuel and replenish your energy levels. Luckily, their outlets have you covered, offering everything from quick grab-and-go bites to sit-down, celebration-style meals. Tuck into Italian classics at PizzaExpress, fresh-off-the-grill burgers and hotdogs at Five Guys, or grab a McDonald’s Happy Meal to go. Or, if you’re feeling fancy, settle down for a cosy meal at Namji or Sumac Room.

WANT MORE?

They’ve got loads more activities and fun things to do at Xscape. Take a look at what’s on and start planning your mega day out today…

https://www.xscapemiltonkeynes.co.uk/en

Santa is bringing his sleigh to Gulliver’s Land Milton Keynes during the festive season, with a glittering array of treats lined up to entertain all the family.

The theme park resort in Milton Keynes will be transformed into a winter wonderland, with a dazzling variety of special Christmas packages to choose from on select dates from November 29 through to December 23.

And making a return this year is Santa’s Enchanted Elevator, an immersive experience to enter Santa’s Grotto. After entering the ‘elevator’, families will get a magical view through its windows of the North Pole and when the doors open, they are right outside Santa’s Grotto to meet the man himself!

The packages start at £27 per person with the ‘Smasher’, which includes selected Christmas rides, entry to Santa’s Grotto, and the chance to choose your own gift from the Elf Workshop.

You can enjoy a ‘Festive Breakfast’ package for £33 per person, which includes the opportunity to explore the Winter Wonderland and see Santa in his grotto, a visit to the Elf Workshop to choose your own gift and, of course, breakfast, with festive entertainment while you dine!

There is also the ‘Cracker’ package, at £34 per person which comes with a light meal.

Sue Conway, resort director at Gulliver’s Land, said: “We have a wonderful Christmas time lined up for everyone, with our Enchanted Elevator, Santa bringing his grotto and those hard-working elves making lots of fantastic presents, while the Winter Wonderland is always a huge favourite with our festive visitors. Christmas is, of course, an expensive time for families, so we have once again tried to ensure our prices are kept as low as possible.”

You can make your festive visit to Gulliver’s Land even more special with a Santa Sleepover in the superb range of accommodation on offer, including Princess Suites, Dinosaur and Unicorn themed lodges, and Woodland Lodges.

What’s more, Gulliver’s Land has a special Christmas 2025 sale, offering a saving of 25% on all Christmas packages on November 29 and 30, and December 6, 7, and 22. And there are discounted festive sleepovers on selected dates too between November 28 and December 14.

To get the online discount code, just visit www.gulliverslandresort.co.uk/christmas-at-gullivers

Milton Keynes’ entertainment scene is set for a major boost this autumn as MERKUR Casino will unveil its newest flagship venue, opening inside Xscape Milton Keynes on Saturday 1st November, bringing high-energy gaming, live entertainment and over 100 new jobs to the city.

Spanning 22,000 sq ft, the new flagship venue houses a 1,367 m² gaming floor featuring 72 slot machines, 26 electronic roulette terminals and 15 live gaming tables, complemented by a 4,700 sq ft bar and event space designed for live acts, community events and private functions.

The venue represents a major investment for the brand and a defining moment for the city’s leisure economy by bringing together cutting-edge gaming, live entertainment and a premium late-night offering under one spectacular roof.

The grand launch event on Saturday 1st November is expected to welcome hundreds of guests including local dignitaries, influencers, journalists, celebrities, and headline performers. The evening will feature live tribute acts, roving performers, and a £10,000 giveaway, setting the tone for the high-calibre programme of events the casino will continue to host.

Mark Schertle, Chief Operating Officer at MERKUR Casino UK Ltd “Our head office is based here in Milton Keynes, so this opening means a great deal to us. We’ve worked with local suppliers, created over 100 new roles and built a venue that reflects everything this city stands for – energy, innovation and community spirit. We’re proud to create these opportunities in our home city”

The opening underscores MERKUR’s long-term growth strategy in the UK, strengthening its position as a leading operator in the adult gaming and entertainment sector. The Milton Keynes venue reflects the brand’s continued investment in quality, innovation and guest experience, with an ambition to be recognised among one of the best casino destinations outside London.

Mark continued: “We wanted to create something that genuinely stands out and a venue that feels exciting and welcoming, where guests can enjoy premium gaming, live entertainment and a vibrant atmosphere. Our goal is to offer an experience that sets a new standard for regional entertainment. We’re proud to create a venue that enhances Milton Keynes’ already vibrant nightlife and offers something new for the city’s leisure scene.”

Dan Murphy, centre director at Xscape Milton Keynes, said: “We’re thrilled to welcome MERKUR Casino to Xscape Milton Keynes. The casino has always been a landmark part of Xscape’s entertainment offering, and we’re delighted to see it returning under new ownership. MERKUR’s significant investment has transformed the venue into a modern and dynamic destination, strengthening the mix of leisure experiences we offer our visitors. We’re very much looking forward to welcoming guests into the new casino when the doors open on 1^st November.”

MERKUR Casino UK Ltd is part of the MERKUR Group (formally the Gauselmann Group), one of Europe’s leading gaming and entertainment companies. Headquartered in Germany, the group operates Internationally, with a strong presence in Germany alongside numerous other countries including the UK, Spain, the Netherlands, Czech Republic and Serbia.

For further details visit https://merkurcasinouk.com/casino/