Disclaimer: some contents in this post includes gifted experiences.

Milton Keynes, a half an hour train ride out of London Euston, is the only city in Buckinghamshire and actually was officially founded in only 1967. It’s a place I’ve arrived to on a train and been taken out of for work or for the beautiful walks in the surrounding hills.

So when I was approached by Sophie Neal, who has been a champion of her local community for many years now, to explore more of Milton Keynes, I couldn’t refuse.

It’s a funny destination that is relatively quiet and takes some research in order to understand what it actually has to offer. Normally you might spot something of interest from the outside, but word about MK gets around by word of mouth and support from the local community. (Which you can check out more of on Sophie’s Facebook group here).

As energy prices rise and the fewer people return to work - honestly it was kind of spooky that I could get a seat on the tube during rush hour - support for local businesses will rise. The commute will be either decrease or cease to exist for many and we’ll begin exploring closer to home again. At least that’s what I think.

For me, it was time for me to explore the location that gets mocked for its roundabouts and, from the outsider perspective, is mostly known for its conferences.

A Remote Life Afternoon

Having sold my car a year ago, I arrived in on the train just after lunch time and headed straight for my hotel to check in early. Fortunately, my room was ready so Jurys Inn showed me to my Executive Room with a Super King Suite - with a brilliant view of the rolling hills around the city. They even gave me the cutest welcome package of a card, prosecco, chocolates and a fruit platter.

Running back into the lobby where there was great wifi for finishing designs in Canva, I grabbed lunch and headed on to the MK Gallery for their latest exhibition: Vivian Maier.

Among other things, MK Gallery has hosted the Young Photographer Award in their events space, and also plays host to gigs and local bands. It is also various national and international exhibitions, like the one I was invited to see.

Vivian Maier was a professional nanny who took amateur photographs that, after her death, were realised for the genus they are when a perfect stranger bought them in an auction along with other things of hers.

You can discover more on the MK Gallery website, who will be running the exhibition until the 25th September 2022, as well as on Amazon and BBC 4. There have been documentaries, books and further exhibits of her work, as she captured the unsuspecting public of the time so well. Some have gone so far as to dub her the original street photographer.

It’s the kind of work I’d love to have on a coffee table down the line, for the way she captures personality and moments in time so well. I guess some of it also feels like it could have been lifted off of Instagram today, so would explain why I feel drawn to it.

The team at MK Gallery were kind enough to give me a ticket to see these beautiful photographs and a tour of the space. If you’re in town, I highly recommend stopping in for their next exhibit in October: Larry Achiampong: Wayfinder. A presentation of the British-Ghanian’s Pan African flags, life-sized Relic Traveller figures and Glyth collages. It will also reveal some of his influences from video games to the landscape paintings of JMW Turner. You’ll also get a chance to play a couple of video games in the cafe…!

By complete chance I happened to meet a lovely lady who worked at MK Gallery at the Financial Times Weekend Festival the Saturday before. She suggested we have coffee when I was in town and she told me some more about the gallery and Milton Keynes. Which included fun facts like a sign in centre:mk commemorating a scene from Cliff Richard’s music video “Wired for Sound“ that was filmed there in 1981. Just one of the fun hidden facts about Milton Keynes that makes it worth a visit!

After a quick stop back in at my room to shoot off some emails for the end of the day, it was time for my reservation at Maaya Indian Kitchen & Bar. A local restaurant whose chefs take inspiration from generations of family recipes. And it was one of the most incredible Indian meals I have ever had!

Opting for the vegan thali, a meal made up of portions of other dishes, it blew my mind with every serving. Quorn Kadhai, Chana Masala, Hyderabadi Aloo Ravia, Gobi Adraki, Tandoori Roti, Steamed Basmati Rice, Salad, Poppadom & Pickle. An incredible blend of tastes that have me still watering at the mouth a little writing this post.

The team were attentive and helpful, no matter how many groups of people sat down for dinner. And there were many! Which goes to the popularity of the place - and it’s also conveniently located right behind where I was staying. To find out more about Maaya and the other local gems, take a look at Sophie’s Food Map.

After a final post-dinner espresso, it was time to head back and relax for the evening. If my sensible work brain didn’t get the better of me, I might’ve stayed for one last evening tipple…

After a super comfy nights’ stay at Jurys Inn, I wasn’t quite ready to leave. So after confusing some conference goers at breakfast while taking content of the yummy breakfast buffet, I headed back up to my room for more laptop time.

I had such a great view, a sofa and some snacks to finish, and of course the good wifi, so it seemed silly to leave my little comfy spot too early. Sophie and I also filmed a short video about her work in MK in the room as well, which will be live very soon.

In terms of remote work spots in Milton Keynes, I found that most places had wifi and it was pretty easy to set up. Whether in a hotel, a space like the MK Gallery or a coffee shop like Out Of Office. Which I stopped into for a quick bite and laptop sesh on my way out of the city.

My time was fleeting in Milton Keynes, which was why I’ll be posting Sophie’s remote work guide very soon with more details. But if you had any doubt about whether it was worth a visit to Milton Keynes, whether overnight or for longer, I seriously recommend you try it.

This city has a wonderful little community and so many hidden gems that you wouldn’t have guessed were there just from peering out of the hotel window.

Have you put Milton Keynes on your list yet?

Han x