What's on this bank holiday weekend?

Welcome to yet another bank holiday weekend! May seems to have flown by, and maybe it's because of all these bank holidays giving us time off-we're not complaining! So what is there going on around Milton Keynes to get involved with this weekend? We've collected a few different ideas for you incase you're stuck...

'Look at life': Milton Keynes museum is having a look at nature this weekend, as well as a 'microscope safari' workshop which the kids (and adults!) are sure to love! They're open Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 4.30pm. Find out more here. The fun continues into half term at Milton Keynes museum, with a week filled with children's fun activities!

Castle Ashby craft and design show at Castle Ashby Gardens: From Friday- Monday. The weekend kicks off on the Friday night with a concert of swing jazz, undercover in the walled garden with some of the UK's leading jazz musicians. A hot supper is included in the ticket price of £17 and there is a fully licensed bar. On Sunday and Monday the craft and design show will be open to the public, over 70 designer-makers of contemporary and traditional work will be found in the walled gardens. Many artists will be demonstrating their crafts, and there will be puppet shows to entertain the children, as well as falconry displays and live music. Why not have a game of croquet, or just enjoy strolling through the gardens? Don't forget to visit the meerkats at the small animal farm! Find out more here.

What to do this bank holiday Monday in Milton Keynes...

Bank holiday weekends always tend to fill themselves up with family and friends visiting, jobs to be done and of course a bit of an extra long snooze, but if you're still looking for something to do with your bank holiday Monday, we've got a few ideas for you...

Hollington Wood are holding their annual Bluebell day, where the woods are open for free for visitors to explore as they wish, as well as see the pigs and piglets, enjoy a guided tour of the woods and, as the name suggests, see the carpet of bluebells on display. The woods are open from 10am-6pm, and  refreshments will be available, including their very own sausages cooked on fire bowls. A great day out and lots to see, make the most of this open day to enjoy these local woods which aren't usually open to the public.

Woolaston Courtyard is holding a wedding fayre and fashion show for all prospective brides, grooms and their families. 11am-4pm, as well as clothing will be photography, locations, entertainment services and more. Head that way if you've got a wedding to plan!

The MK marathon and half marathon are taking place across the city on Monday as well. While you'll be too late to sign up, if you're not already running, you might want to watch from a point, or otherwise avoid the areas where it will be taking place as the roads will be closed for the duration.

Then of course you've got all the usual events in Milton Keynes to keep you busy, there's the regular charity quiz night at the slug and lettuce in the theatre district, and the comedy open mic night at Robinsons wine bar in Newport Pagnell.

Whatever you do this bank holiday weekend, we hope you have a great time!

Phonebox Walk

Hooray for another bank holiday weekend! It seems only yesterday we were off for Easter, not that we're complaining, and now it's already the first May bank holiday. We've got our fingers crossed for some nice weather this weekend, and if we get lucky with that, why not give our Phonebox walk a try? You can follow the link to the interactive magazine here, or have a flick through your hard copy if you've got one (which might be easier so you can take it out with you and not get lost!)

This month we've got a nice 5 mile walk for you, which should take around 2 hours and takes you through countryside and along the canal and riverside to Cosgrove. We hope this walk inspires you to try others of your own, and to explore and make the most of the lovely places surrounding Milton Keynes where you can walk and enjoy picturesque scenery. Keep your eyes peeled for next month's Phonebox walk, or if you can't wait until then, why not flick back to a few of the old copies and try a few of those walks?! Enjoy!

May Day

Today is May day, and while nothing much happens for it nowadays, there are a number of ways it was celebrated traditionally. The traditions include dancing the maypole dance, and crowning the Queen of May, although why this dancing began is somewhat unclear, its origins are thought to have been from Germanic pagan times. Morris dancing is another May day tradition, where dancers dress up in full Morris dancing gear, but the day is traditionally associated with towns and villages celebrating springtime fertility, and celebrating this with feasts, village fetes and family gatherings. The May day bank holiday is on the following Monday after May day, and gives us another day off- bonus!

If you fancy connecting a bit with May day this year, then this Saturday there's a free family fun day at Campbell Park in Milton Keynes, from 12-5pm. There will be a maypole to dance around, children's entertainment, Morris dancers, stalls and fair rides.

Springtime in Milton Keynes

Well it's back to the grind for everyone today, if you were lucky enough to get the Easter bank holiday weekend off work that is, and somewhat unusually, this year we only have to wait a couple of weeks until the next bank holiday weekend is here! Hurrah!

Blossom is beginning to give way to leaves and greenery, and the evenings are getting lighter, is summer really just around the corner?! Even better, it looks like we've managed to avoid the snow this year! (without speaking too soon!)

For something to do at the weekend, why not visit one of the local farms and see the lambs. Spring lambing at Open Mead farm is running until the 30th April, and you can expect to see an abundance of furry white lambs and enjoy the springtime scenery, check out the sky trail for a birds-eye view!

The countryside all across Milton Keynes and the surrounding areas is buzzing with wildlife and springtime flowers, and the weather seems to be picking up ready to allow for some nice springtime walks and fresh air! If you missed getting out there this weekend don't panic, this is only a 4 day week, and the next weekend is just around the corner!

A belated happy Easter from all at the Phonebox magazine, we hope you had a great time!