Milton Keynes, an Ideal Location for TV and Films

Film Location Guidance (PDF, 308KB)

Milton Keynes has already established an excellent track record in film and TV activities, both as a location and as a base for services associated with the sector, and it's accessibility to London and the major film studios has largely contributed to this success. We can provide free advice and help to any location or production enquiry. Below are some suggestions for filming locations, most of which are privately owned. Contact links can be found in the external links section if the owner is known.

Before contacting us for permission to film on Milton Keynes Council owned land or adopted highway, please ensure you have reviewed the Film Location Guidance note, linked above.

Filming Fees and Application fees are non-refundable.

If the proposed activities are sufficiently complex, extensive or sensitive to necessitate the presence of a MK Council representative, an admin fee will be required.

Filming in residential areas is problematic and this would need to be discussed further if proposed. Notice must also be given if there is a risk that filming might incorporate images of the public, particularly children.

Filming on private property (eg the shopping centres in CMK or MK Parks Trust land), or when using buildings as a backdrop, the owner’s permission must be sought and all necessary arrangements made with them. 

Milton Keynes Council does not have a private bill in place yet to allow a road to be closed for the purpose of filming on the highway. Filming on the highway is permitted and can  only be achieved if the road/pavement remains open to the public or the road is closed for a public event to which the filming is in association to that event. For further information on road closures and temporary traffic regulation Orders please contact the TRO on 01908 254604.  Alternatively you can email the Team TROteam@milton-keynes.gov.uk

All parking enquiries should be addressed to MK Council Parking Dept on 01908 252309, who will then contact its contractor NCP.

Available filming locations 

Bradwell Windmill

Peace Pagoda

Winter Gardens

Central Milton Keynes Offices

Grid Roads

Victorian Terraced Housing

Campbell Park

Wolverton Park

Stony Stratford

Gulliver's Land

Grand Union Canal (MK Branch)

MK Parks Trust Parks (Various)

Bletchley Park

Bradwell Windmill

Built in 1816, this limestone tower mill has been recently refurbished and is in good working/turning order. Set within its own millfield, it is adjacent to the Grand Union Canal, a disused railway and a sports ground. Unique features include an interior fireplace and one of the earliest uses of a universal joint. Back to top

Peace Pagoda

Major local landmark built by Japanese monks and nuns based in nearby Buddhist Temple and Garden. Set in North Willen Lake Park, which also features a labyrinth, bird reserve, helipad and BMX track, and has panoramic views across Ouzel valley. The land owner in this instance is The Parks Trust. Back to top

Winter Gardens

Tropically-planted glass/steel 3-storey atrium with glass lift and carp pond. Part of leisure complex including major health club/fitness centre, restaurants and nightclub. Situated in Central Business Exchange modern office zone with further atria, lifts and external pedestrianised squares. This property is Privately owned.. Back to top

Central Milton Keynes Offices 

Extensive and continuous area of low-rise quality modern office development built on 'American' grid square pattern, aligned east-west. Serviced by tree-lined boulevards, parking zones and integrated street furniture. Also includes wine/cafe bars, hotels, city church and gardens/squares. Filming along the adopted highway can be agreed by the Council but the majority of land in Central Milton Keynes is privately owned. Back to top

Grid Roads 

Milton Keynes-wide system of fast dual carriageways intersecting at roundabouts. Generously planted and tree-lined verges and central reservations conceal residential and commercial developments beyond. Comprehensive and complementary network of footpaths, cycleways, subways and bridges create uncluttered and pedestrian-free usage. Back to top

Victorian Terraced Housing

Extensive area of 19th century red-brick housing centred on Wolverton and New Bradwell built to service once-substantial railway works. Built largely of two-storey terraces intersecting at right angles. Wide range of Victorian community facilities eg schools, working men's clubs, churches, pubs, etc. Individual properties available. Back to top

Campbell Park

Modern landscaped civic park with panoramic views of Ouse valley and backed onto by new MK Theatre/Gallery and Xscape Snowdome. Numerous features include events plateau, open air theatre, labyrinth, national standard cricket pitch and pavilion, beacon, and public sculptures. Adjacent to Grand Union Canal. Centrally placed, yet quiet. Landowner is Parks Trust. Back to top

Wolverton Park

Period recreation area associated with Wolverton Railway Works, comprising football pitch, surrounded by redundant velodrome, and bowling green. Flanked by derelict Works buildings, the main Euston line and the Grand Union Canal, the site has an unusual amphitheatre feel. Various spectator stands, one very old. Refurbished changing rooms etc. Private Landowner Back to top

Stony Stratford

Georgian market and coaching town aligned along old A5/Watling Street. Traditional High Street with many pubs and restaurants, one of which, The Peking, is available as a location in its own right. Market Square featured in 'Withnail and I'. The Town is also home to the picturesque Horsefair Green and has varuious Victorian/Edwardian terraced housing. The town is bordered by River Great Ouse and park/farmland. Back to top

Gulliver's Land

Gulliver's Land Fantasy/theme park centred on Lilliput Land Castle, with 30 family-oriented rides and attractions including Log Flume, Pirate Ship, Old Time Railroad, Wild Mouse Coaster, etc. Adjacent to extensive and self-contained South Willen Lake with its watersports, leisure and related park facilities, and David Lloyd Tennis Centre. Private owner. Back to top

Grand Union Canal (MK Branch)

The Grand Union Canal enters Milton Keynes in the Ouse Valley Park at Old Wolverton and snakes in a dramatic arc right through the east of the city until it leaves Milton Keynes at Water Eaton in Bletchley.

It provides a direct link with the area's industrial past but also a wealth of leisure opportunities for the residents fo the city. There are ideal opportunities for filming locations along the various points including the canal broadwalk, managed by The Parks Trust, which allows you to walk, jog or cycle from historic Linford Manor Park through to Woughton on the Green, on good paths but within sight of the water and its colourful traffic of narrowboats. Among other things to look out for en route are Wolverton Secret Garden (includes Bill Billings famous 100m long train mural), Great Linford Brick Kilns, the narrow boat basin at Pennylands, poplar trees at Campbell Park and a board walk through the reeds between Giffard Park and Willen Park. Back to top

MK Parks Trust - Extensive Formal and linear parks across MK

There are various parks across the city which are available for filming. These include Willen Lake (home to the Peace Pagoda and Bhuddist Temple), Campbell Park (Cricket Ground, formal parklands, MK Rose, Events Plateux, Cycle Cross, Orienteering course and Canal moorings), Furzton Lake (Lakeside location, parkland, helipad and close to MK Bowl) and many more parks beside. You can view all their parks and can contact them direct from the MK Parks Trust website. Back to top

Bletchley Park - Home to Enigma Machine and Codebreakers

This site needs no introduction and has been the location of various international films over the years. The site is a tourist attraction but has vintage buildings and street scenes, museums and some of the original codebreaker huts from WW2. Owned and managed by Bletchley Park Trust. Back to top

Last Updated: 4 September 2019