Morning, MK 👋

Welcome to all our new subscribers this week, and thanks to everyone for your continued support.

Half term is here - and this week’s Loop is a big one.

Xscape has added two very different new ways to spend an afternoon, an MK entrepreneur is trying to make travelling with pets safer, and we’ve got our first Loop Perk: 20% off at renü wellness.

Then there’s the small matter of the weekend and beyond: Lowry, free LEGO, street food, live music, comedy, spooky trails, a tattoo and tarot festival, and plenty more. That said, with bad weather forecast this weekend, please do check with event organisers before travelling.

Let’s get into it. 👇

In today’s Loop:

⛳ Two new experiences land at Xscape
🐶 An MK idea that could make pet travel safer
📸 Milton Keynes, one photo at a time
🤖 MK lands one of eight national robotics hubs
🎁 20% off at renü for Loop MK readers
🎨 Lowry, LEGO + a seriously packed half term

If your idea of a good afternoon is either working on your golf swing or throwing paint at a wall, Xscape now has you covered.

PodGolf has opened a private TrackMan-powered indoor golf simulator, with more than 450 virtual courses to choose from. Up to four people can play together, clubs are included and sessions start from £25 an hour. There’s also 25% off bookings until the end of October with code TRYPODGOLF.

At almost the exact opposite end of the leisure spectrum, The Paint Patch has opened too. Think neon UV splatter rooms, canvas painting, slime making, Drip Bears, acrylic pouring and the opportunity to flick, splash and throw considerably more paint than would normally be socially acceptable. There are SEND and sensory-friendly sessions available too.

Very different. Both open now.

See the two new Xscape openings →

An idea that started with an MK pet taxi could end up tackling a much bigger problem.

Claire Harris has spent the past 12 years running Pets 2 Places, giving her plenty of first-hand experience of how animals are transported in cars.

Now she’s developing a range of specialist pet-travel safety products - starting with a harness for dogs weighing between 5kg and 15kg.

The idea has just won the Next Big Thing start-up competition at Milton Keynes Tech Week, beating seven other finalists.

The first harness is still firmly in development, with manufacturing, real-world testing and crash testing ahead, but there’s some serious expertise involved: the project is working with Coventry University’s National Transport Design Centre and Cranfield Impact Centre.

Not bad for something that started as a local pet taxi.

Read the Pets 2 Places story →

📸 @acousticchef69 | City long exposure
Tag @theloopmk to get your photos featured!

Milton Keynes has been selected as one of just eight places in the UK for a new Robotics Adoption Hub. It’ll operate from the Smart City Experience Centre inside centre and help businesses and public organisations explore things like autonomous vehicles, drones, industrial robots and other automation. Probably not somewhere to take the kids to meet R2-D2, but another interesting addition to MK’s growing collection of futuristic things.

See what’s planned →

Christmas wreath-making apparently waits for no one. The afternoon session of Cora & Flora’s Christmas wreath workshop on 27 November has already sold out, but spaces remain for the evening workshop at Milton Bryan Village Hall. There’ll be mulled wine and seasonal treats while you make your own natural wreath. If it’s your sort of thing, we probably wouldn’t leave this one until late November.

Book the remaining evening session →

Got an idea for a food festival, artisan market or community event? Milton Keynes City Council has launched a £30,000 fund for events taking place in 2027, with organisers able to apply for grants of up to £5,000. It covers Bletchley, Newport Pagnell, Stony Stratford, Olney, Woburn Sands and Wolverton - and the council is particularly keen on events that bring people onto the high street and support local businesses. Successful ideas could even become part of Milton Keynes’ 60th anniversary celebrations next year.

Got an idea? See how to apply →

Willen Lake’s Flavour Fest and Halloween Fest & Drone Show have been cancelled because of forecast storms, high winds and heavy rain this weekend.

Check all events before travelling in case the weather forces another change.

Fancy finding out what all the cold-plunge fuss is about? renü wellness, a local contrast-therapy spot at Pineham Farm, has kindly offered Loop MK readers 20% off their first session.

renü combines an 85°C Finnish sauna with cold plunges that can get down to a bracing 3°C. If that sounds slightly terrifying, first-timers are welcome and the team will guide you through the whole thing.

Use code LOOPMK20 when booking.

Get 20% off your first session →

THU 22 OCT · 6:15-8PM · XSCAPE · FREE

Hundreds of lights, bikes and a lap around the redways. Milton Keynes Glow Ride starts outside Xscape on Thursday evening, with cyclists encouraged to cover themselves - and their bikes - in lights before riding through CMK as a group. It’s led by women as part of a campaign for safer streets, but everyone is welcome. Front and rear bike lights are essential.

Join the Glow Ride →

THU 22 to SAT 24 OCT · STANTONBURY THEATRE · £23

Queen songs + a Ben Elton story = We Will Rock You. CompanyMK is bringing the musical to Stantonbury Theatre, with evening performances through Saturday and a Saturday matinee too. Expect Bohemian Rhapsody, Somebody to Love, Don’t Stop Me Now and, obviously, plenty of stomping.

See performances →

THU 22 OCT · 7:30PM · THE CRAUFURD ARMS

Cancer Bats hit Wolverton with Ignite and Knives as part of Marshall’s new Made of Loud tour - an initiative pairing touring bands with investment and support for independent venues.

See tickets →

FRI 23 to SUN 25 OCT · MIDDLETON HALL, CENTRE:MK · FREE

The Black History Month Art, Culture and Business Exhibition returns to centre for its fifth year. There’ll be more than 70 businesses and organisations alongside art, fashion, dance, live music, workshops, speakers, food, children’s activities and plenty more. It runs 10am-5pm Friday and Saturday, then 11am-5pm Sunday.

See the full event →

FRI 23 OCT · 8PM · THE VENUE MK · £22.50

A very decent Friday-night comedy line-up in Walnut Tree. Babatunde Aléshé headlines The Comedy Cow’s Prime Cut night alongside Angelos Epithemiou, Esther Manito and Russell Hicks. The bar and live music get going before the comedy starts too.

See tickets →

SAT 24 OCT · 10AM-12PM · SUN 25 OCT · 12PM-2PM · LEGO STORE · FREE

A very good free half-term find. Kids aged six and over can build a Halloween-themed LEGO Ghost Street at the Midsummer Place store - and take the finished model home. There’s a limited number available each day and it’s first come, first served, so this is probably one to arrive early for.

See the LEGO event →

FROM SAT 24 OCT · MK GALLERY

MK Gallery opens L.S. Lowry: The Theatre of Life this Saturday, marking 50 years since the artist’s death. It goes well beyond the famous industrial scenes, bringing together portraits, seascapes, drawings and some of Lowry’s stranger and less familiar work. And there are two particularly useful bits: Under-21s go free, while Milton Keynes residents can visit for £1 every Tuesday.

Explore the exhibition →

SAT 24 OCT · FROM 10AM · ELIXIR INK, CROWNHILL · FREE

Possibly the most unusual market on this week’s list. The Tattoo & Tarot Festival combines independent traders, tarot readings, tattoo offers and live music at Elixir Ink in Crownhill. There are eight local acts performing from noon too.

See the festival →

SAT 24 OCT · 10AM-2PM · TRINITY MEADOW · FREE

Even Milton Keynes’ insects are getting new-build accommodation. The Parks Trust is inviting families to Trinity Meadow in Old Wolverton to help build bug hotels and learn a few practical conservation skills. All ages are welcome.

See the details →

FRI 23 OCT to SUN 25 OCT · THE PATCH MK · FROM £6.50

The Patch MK at Mount Mill Farm is open across half term for pumpkin picking, roaming witches, barrel train rides, marshmallow toasting and a frankly impressive number of varieties of squash. After Dark adds live music, fire and LED performers, axe throwing and the Nightmare on Patch Street.

See dates and tickets →

SAT 24 OCT · 1PM and 4PM · UNIT NINE · FROM £15

Yes, really. Raver Tots brings a Halloween family rave to Unit Nine, with house, garage, drum & bass and old-school club classics alongside lasers, dancers, special effects and face painting. Fancy dress is encouraged.

See remaining tickets →

SAT 24 OCT to SUN 1 NOV · 10AM-4PM · WILLEN LAKE · FREE

If you’ve got younger kids, Willen Lake’s free Halloween trail runs every day through half term. Pick up a trail sheet from the Watersports Centre, complete the spooky challenges around the lake and return it for a treat at the end. It’s designed mainly for under-eights, but anyone can take part.

See the trail →

SAT 24 OCT · 2-11PM · ARENA MK

A considerably bigger night out. Eric Prydz returns to Milton Keynes for a huge show at Arena MK, joined by Dusky, Marsh, Cristoph b2b Michael Anthony, J Ribbon and Leena Punks.

See tickets →

SAT 24 OCT · FROM 2:30PM · CHRYSALIS THEATRE, WILLEN

Fancy trying West Coast Swing? Evolve is running two afternoon workshops - including a beginners 'Learn to Dance in a Day’ session - before opening the floor for an evening social dance with DJ Catherine Bickle.

See tickets →

SAT 24 OCT · 7PM · MK11

Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth and Anthrax all in Kiln Farm on the same evening would admittedly be quite a booking. This is the next-best thing: four tribute acts celebrating thrash metal’s ‘Big Four’ at MK11.

See tickets →

SUN 25 OCT · 11AM-4PM · BRADWELL ABBEY · FREE

Street food, sweet treats and local independents are back at Bradwell Abbey for the EAT Street MK Autumn Market. The bar will be open, there’s indoor seating in the Cruck Barn, and dogs on leads are welcome too. The trader list was still TBC when we checked, so consider this one a Sunday lunchtime lucky dip.

See the market details →

SUN 25 OCT · 12-4:30PM · SILVER LOTUS, BROUGHTON

Food, cultural performances, local stalls, crafts and free Garba workshops come together for this family-friendly Diwali and community festival. Under-12s go free with a paying adult.

See tickets →

SUN 25 OCT · 2PM · GREAT LINFORD MANOR PARK · FREE

The Friends of Great Linford Manor Park lead a free 90-minute walk through the park on Sunday afternoon. You’ll hear about its history and spot surviving features from its 18th-century landscape design, including the Doric Seat, Ha-ha and veteran lime tree. No booking needed.

See the walk details →

SUN 25 OCT · 6PM · HUNGRY HORSE, FURZTON · FREE

Feeling a bit lonely, fancy meeting some new people or just want some company? Empty Chairs runs a relaxed weekly get-together at the Hungry Horse by Furzton Lake, giving anyone who needs it somewhere to turn up, have a chat - or simply sit with others for a while. There’s no pressure and no awkward agenda. Look out for the orange jacket draped over a chair near the bar.

See information about Empty Chairs →

MON 26 OCT to SAT 31 OCT · 9:30AM-5PM · BLETCHLEY PARK

Things are mysteriously disappearing at Bletchley Park, leaving only cryptic notes behind. The half-term Halloween trail sends families around the site solving codes, ciphers and puzzles to identify the culprit. It’s included with admission, under-eights go free, and people living within 10 miles of Bletchley Park can get 50% off admission.

See Bloo-letchley Park →

MON 26 OCT to FRI 30 OCT · 10:30AM-4:30PM · MK MUSEUM

Black Sheep Collective’s witches will be appearing around the Museum’s Street of Shops each day between noon and 2pm, sharing stories, spells and secrets. There are Halloween crafts and biscuit decorating too. Under-fives go free.

See the half-term programme →

TUE 27 OCT & WED 28 OCT · 9:30AM-12:30PM · HOWE PARK WOOD · FREE

The Parks Trust opens the Howe Park Wood Education Centre for a couple of free half-term mornings exploring some of autumn’s more misunderstood residents. There’ll be activities about bats, spiders and fungi, followed by a self-guided woodland trail. No booking needed.

See the opening mornings →

TUE 27 OCT · 8PM · THE STABLES · LIMITED

That’s the name of the show, anyway. Seann Walsh brings his new stand-up tour This Is Torture to The Stables on Tuesday, with tickets now listed as limited. Probably not one for the children.

See remaining tickets →

FROM WED 28 OCT · MILTON KEYNES THEATRE

The Royal Shakespeare Company’s Matilda The Musical starts its MK run on Wednesday. Tim Minchin’s award-winning adaptation has now been seen by more than 12 million people in 100 cities, and stays here until 14 November.

See performances and tickets →

WED 28 OCT · MK MUSEUM

One of this week’s more unusual picks. As part of Milton Keynes Museum’s Kerala exhibition, visitors can watch traditional Kathakali performers go through their elaborate make-up process from 10am-12:30pm. The performers then return for a full performance from 2-4pm, followed by a Q&A. There’s no extra event ticket - it’s included with museum admission.

See the Kerala programme →

A few confirmed quiz nights around MK this week:

THU 22 OCT · 7:30PM - EIGHT BELLES, BLETCHLEY
THU 22 OCT · 8PM - MIDSUMMER TAP, CMK
SUN 25 OCT · 7PM - MK SPORTS BAR, NEWPORT PAGNELL
MON 26 OCT · 7:30PM - OLD BEAMS, SHENLEY LODGE · £2
TUE 27 OCT · 8:30PM - FOX & HOUNDS, STONY STRATFORD
WED 28 OCT · 8:30PM - THE CLOCKTOWER, EMERSON VALLEY · £2

Know a good MK pub quiz we’re missing? Hit reply and tell us.