Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Milton Keynes City Discovery Centre a charity?

City Discovery Centre Ltd is a charitable company limited by guarantee which was set up in July 1987.

Is the Milton Keynes City Discovery Centre part of the local or national government?

No; the Milton Keynes City Discovery Centre is a wholly independent organisation that is governed by a board of Trustees.

What is the meaning of the name Milton Keynes?

Milton Keynes is named after a small village of the same name which was enclosed within the boundaries of the new town in 1967. The name Milton derives from the old English middel + tun meaning 'middle farm'. The affix of Keynes is believed to derive from the family of Cahaignes, or, Cayenes who had connections with the village in the 13th century. Over time, Milton Cahaignes became Milton Keynes.

Is Milton Keynes a city?

No, Milton Keynes is a Unitary Authority. The status of City is conferred by the Crown via a Royal Charter. So far, Milton Keynes has not been awarded a Royal Charter confirming city status.

What are the Concrete Cows?

Everything you ever wanted to know about the Concrete Cows and more!

How many roundabouts are there in Milton Keynes?

Ah, depends on what you call a roundabout. If you mean a fully formed structure with its own name and grass and flowers, then 300 is a generally agreed number. But if you mean anything which affects the gyratory movement of traffic (e.g. a painted bump in the middle of the road designed to control traffic within a housing estate) then figures as high as 1000 are bandied about.

How big is Milton Keynes?

Today, the total administrative area of Milton Keynes is a massive 30,869 Hectares ( 1 hectare 10,000 square meters or 2.47 acres and 100 hectares = 1 square kilometer). However, the original new town area - often called the designated area - is just 9000 Hectares or the land equivalent of 22000 football pitches.

Are there subterranean or underground houses in Milton Keynes?

There are no underground houses in Milton Keynes but a lot of people believe that there are. This is because there is a house in Shenley Lodge which is surrounded by earth in order to improve its thermal efficiency. This house was heavily featured in the 1986 Energy World exhibition which took place in Milton Keynes and is still a favourite with visitors.