Bed and Breakfast Milton Keynes

Celebrate and stay somewhere special!

2011-06-10T14:51:00.013+01:00

Many guests who enjoy a bed and breakfast stay at Number 68 in Milton Keynes have a wonderful surprise when they visit nearby Stony Stratford, a beautiful old market town which is packed full of character & history. The community, with the help of the local business association, work very hard to enjoy celebrating local and national events and, as you can see from the picture below (Daily Mail), they can certainly fly a flag or two.

The Roman Road, Watling Street, runs through the town and, if you believe the locals, "Cock & Bull" tales with gossip and rumour, began from the Cock & Bull Hotels, both former coaching inns on what was once a major route between London and Chester; at one time up to 250 coaches a day stopped off.

Thankfully there is no super injunction to prevent us revealing to you what is described as Britain's best kept secret of World War II - Bletchley Park. Just 50 miles north of London, in the code breaking centre known as "Station X", thousands of people worked tirelessly to decode and analyse German messages. Decoding was carried out with the help of Colossus, the world's first electronic computer processor and visitors to Bletchley Park can today see for themselves a working reconstruction of this processing machine, a forerunner to computers of today.

Visitors to Bletchley Park include international bed & breakfast guests from Number 68 who travel to Milton Keynes for many reasons, sometimes business but often pleasure & leisure purposes including concerts at the Milton Keynes National Bowl, the Stables Theatre Wavendon and motor sport at Silvertstone (F1 & Moto Grand Prix).

Read what a few of our more recent guests have had to say:

"A great stay again. Top hosts and breakfast. Every town & city should have one" P&G, Derbyshire, June 2011.

"Excellent stay, very helpful in finding my way around" MM, Netherlands, May 2011.

"Thank you for a wonderful stay. You both made us feel very welcome" P,J,E&B, Kent, April 2011.

"I've lived 10 months here, you are amazing, nice people, great in many things, gracias!" NF, Spain, March 2011.

Stay in comfort at Number 68 Bed & Breakfast, it looks like you wont be disappointed!

Hot town, summer in the city

2011-04-15T13:35:00.013+01:00

Once again April arrives, the sun comes out and it's time for the first barbecue of the year - before Easter! Will it be an early summer once again this year as we enjoy the weather of April and May?

In the garden cherry and plum trees have blossomed with petals long fallen to the ground like confetti after a wedding. Now white pear tree blossom is fluttering down, either in the gentle breeze or when birds perch on a branch to feed. The apple tree has a full covering of blossom and so we are hoping for another year of good crops to produce the homemade organic jams, desserts and fruit dishes on offer to Bed & Breakfast guests at Number 68.

When guests sit down for breakfast, often they watch the squirrel gathering nuts, burying them around the garden to keep the hidden from the foraging birds - blackbirds in particular seem to be looking for them all day long.

Outside the ground-floor Stannard Suite, on the pergola above the patio, the doves are nesting again and, just beyond an apple tree, the blue tits can be observed popping in and out of their nesting box.

All our guests seem to love the peace and quiet when they stay at Number 68 with many of them returning to enjoy the hospitality and delicious food on offer.

This year, when tens of thousands will be descending on Milton Keynes for the Foo Fighters concerts at the National Bowl a stay in MK is now seemingly impossible. The majority of people gain entry to the National Bowl via a pedestrian route next to Milton Keynes Central railway station.

Based on experience of concerts in past years, we would expect trains to be running after the show ends. For those who guests who were hoping to stay at the fully booked Number 68 Bed and Breakfast our advice is to consider looking for somewhere to stay to the north of MK - take the train to Northampton or maybe a taxi to Towcester, about 10-miles (pre-booking is advised).

While visiting Milton Keynes you might be surprised to discover the contrasts between the old and new parts of the area. Travel around on a network of footpaths/cycle routes ("redways"), a "grid-road" network, labelled with H (Horizontal) and V (Vertical) numbers linking all those infamous roundabouts or taking a walk along an older route by the Grand Union Canal and River Ouse which are both within easy walking distance of Number 68 B&B.

To avoid disappointment when you want to use accommodation in Milton Keynes, book early. With the 2012 Olympics on the horizon, accommodation near to London in the UK will be in high demand, especially for places as consistently highly rated as Number 68 - see for yourself and checkout one of the many reviews published online.

At Booking.com, guests rate the B&B as "Exceptional" with a magnificent score of 9.7 out of a possible 10. Nowhere else is rated as highly with the 9.7 score being the highest rating of any Booking.com hotel, guest house or B and B listed in Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, Oxfordshire, Northamptonshire or Hertfordshire.

LateRooms.com customers give a 100% Customer Recommendation as do reviewers on Trip Advisor.com. The local website, MKWeb also shows high approval scores of 4.7 out of 5.

If you are reading this as a past guest of Number 68, we'd welcome your comments too, please tell us what you think about your stay - write a review of Number 68 at Trip Advisor or contact us directly.

Thank you to everyone who has made the effort to express their opinion.

Foo Fighters concert in Milton Keynes

2010-10-31T23:30:00.014Z

Tickets for the Foo Fighters concerts on July 2 & 3 2011 at Milton Keynes Bowl go on sale this Friday, November 5 at 9am unless you happen to be an O2 customer that is.

Tickets are being made available exclusively for 02 customers 48 hours earlier, from 9am on November 3, that's 2 days before they go on general sale. O2 customers wanting to find out more, should visit the O2 website.

When you have your ticket, that's the time to start thinking about where to stay in Milton Keynes. So many people simply left it too late to book a room for the Prodigy concert earlier this year. Number 68 Bed and Breakfast had telephone enquiries for accommodation while the concert was on and afterwards as people decided to avoid the late night queues for the journey home but rooms at this popular B and B were booked months before, shortly after tickets went on sale.

The MK Bowl, also known as the "National Bowl" has a capacity of 65,000 so it is easy to understand why people were looking for a place to stay as far away as Northampton, Bedford, Luton and Dunstable.

Some of our regular readers might be asking "who are the Foo Fighters?" No, it's not a reference to the strange blobs of light (which today we call UFOs) reported by pilots in WWII!.

You can find out a lot more here but if you have heard of "grunge" band Nirvana or remember this album cover then you are starting to get the picture.

After the death of Nirvana founder, singer/guitarist Kurt Cobain the band's long-lasting drummer Dave Grohl, himself a multi-instrumentalist, went on to record a new album, playing almost all of the instruments on every track himself. The album was called Foo Fighters and the band was formed to promote it.

6 albums later they have 6 Grammy nominations and 3 Grammy awards for Best Rock Album. It might not be your cup of tea but the music they play seems to be somewhat difficult to, categorise as it is described as "modern rock", "alt-rock" and even "post-grunge".

Talking of tea, at Number 68 there is an impressive selection that is hard to beat - white, black, green, fruit and herbal infusions are there for you to choose as part of the extensive breakfast menu, featuring homegrown, local and organic produce (subject to seasonal availability) to help start your day. Guests are very impressed with their breakfast and many aspects of their stay, the comments, from guests around the world, include "brilliant breakfast", "yummy breakfast", "fantastic breakfast" and "Oh my, what a breakfast!!!!".

If you want to find out more why so many people have been impressed, get in touch to arrange a time when you can pop in for a cup of tea and see for yourself where to stay in Milton Keynes.

And the answer is amazing....Milton Keynes

2010-08-19T11:43:00.017+01:00

Prepare to be amazed - the answer to any and all the following 10 questions is "Milton Keynes" - a unique place, full of firsts, bulging with the biggest and best.

If you want to find out more about any of the answers, just click on one of the highlighted links to reveal the details.

Where, in 1985, did the first purpose-built multiplex cinema open as part of the Point entertainment complex?

Which town was chosen as the site for first NHS direct service?

59,000 illuminated signs & lights can be found where?

Where is the largest B&Q DIY store in Europe, 188,000 sq ft?

Where is the largest Asda-Walmart store in Europe, 110,000 sq ft?

Where are 250,000,000 daffodil bulbs planted (That's right - Two Hundred & fifty million!

Within which town boundary will you find 3 ancient woodlands, 4,000 acres of parkland, over 20 million trees, 11 miles of canal and 15 lakes?

Where was the UK's first active solar house built?

Where was "Watling Gold" brewed to commemorate the oldest Roman gold coin found in Britain?

Where is the only church in the country with a gunpowder licence?

Where to visit? When searching for a truly amazing destination, Milton Keynes is the answer. The countryside surrounds MK and with parklands, lakes, river and canal flowing through and the town centre offers more than shopping with plenty of arts, entertainment, sport and leisure activities to watch or take part in.

Where to stay? Number 68 Bed and Breakfast is an amazing place to stay according to many satisfied B and B guests. They have tourist information available for guests and can help with travel advice, where to walk and explore plus details about the WWII Engima Codebreakers at Bletchley Park, Silverstone Grand Prix, Towcester racing, Stony Stratford, Stowe, Wolverton, Bradwell Abbey, Woburn & Xscape.

When to go? How about a relaxing breakaway weekend soon? You can check availability online, call direct on +44 (0)1908 221090 or email info@number68mk.co.uk.

Milton Keynes at the crossroads

2010-08-17T10:21:00.018+01:00

"Are we there yet?" may have been the chorus as travellers criss-crossed England looking for a staycation location but when you come to Number 68 Bed & Breakfast and Milton Keynes you will have arrived at last!

Travelling to Milton Keynes for business or pleasure should be easy as it is centrally located in the Heart of England, at a crossroads halfway between Birmingham and London (England's two largest cities) and in the middle of the Oxford to Cambridge arc.

Road - only an hour away from London, Birmingham, Oxford or Cambridge

Rail - London 30-45 minutes, Birmingham 51 minutes

Coach & Bus - National routes link to Milton Keynes Coachway

Air - London Luton Airport is 30 minutes by car

Bike - National Cycle Routes 51 (East/West) & 6 (North/South) meet in MK

Water - Grand Union Canal from London to Birmingham

The M1, the UK's first long distance motorway, runs from London to the North and Junctions 13 and 14 serve MK. Close by to Number 68 is the A5, Roman "Watling Street" which runs from London, via St Albans up to the Welsh port of Holyhead.

Some even say that Milton Keynes is the birthplace of the industrial revolution! In 1792 along the A5, at the Bull Hotel in Stony Stratford High Street, a public meeting was held to launch and promote the plans for the proposed Grand Junction Canal which became the main waterway between London and Birmingham, bringing the goods down south from the industrial midlands and North of England.

The East to West rail link provided easy access to Bletchley for the academics of Oxford and Cambridge and was a primary reason for locating Station X at Bletchley Park during the Second World War. Unfortunately the Beeching cuts in the 1960s put paid to parts of the passenger link but, as is the case in many areas of the country, pressure grows for the line to be re-opened. It only needs funding from the public purse so don't hold you breath anytime soon!

North/South, the West Coast main line from London to Glasgow has many Inter-City services stopping at Central Milton Keynes. Work has commenced on the new Network Rail national centre on the site of the "old" National Hockey Stadium and a former home to MK Dons football club - the plans appear to show an exciting landmark building.

The new Coachway facility continues to light up the sky at night near M1 Junction 14 - if only it were open! Several delays during the construction process have put the opening back until "late Autumn 2010" - oh well, at least the temporary Coachway at Campbell Park is still an improvement on the old Coachway. The signage to show that you've arrived in MK needs to improve though - some guests recently got back on to the coach and continued their journey, ending up in London! Stagecoach, National Express and Virgin run regional and national services in and out Milton Keynes.

Many routes lead to Milton Keynes and, when looking for accommodation or a place to stay, Number 68 Bed and Breakfast is 100% recommended by travellers on Tripadvisor.com. The latest review states "the rooms are very comfortable and modern with all of the amenities that would be expected, delivered in a more homely style than would be the case in a larger Boarding House or Hotel". When looking for the "Best Bed and Breakfast ever" or a b and b in milton keynes, don't take our word for it, take those of our guests - read comments online from visitors from not just the UK but all over the world, as far away as Australia, USA and India to mention just a few countries.

A prodigious time!

2010-07-25T13:46:00.018+01:00

It's Prodigy in Milton Keynes day plus one! 65,000, mostly young or young at heart people, have now come and gone from The National Bowl in MK after a memorable, fantastic day of music according to the fans who stayed for B&B at Number 68. Using Government estimated figures, that's a population of around 300,000 for 1 day in Milton Keynes! Truly amazing!!

Was it really only 4 or 5 years ago when Bon Jovi, Robbie Williams, Green Day, Oasis & Take That played here? The days when Bowie, Queen, Jackson, Springsteen, Genesis & Simple Minds played the Bowl are now no more than a distant memory and with no more concerts at the Bowl in the diary, seem unlikely to be repeated

The prodigious amount of telephone calls and emails asking about accommodation continued through the concert and afterwards, into the night! On concert day, 24th July, we had more than 20 enquiries for a room but we were fully booked from virtually the moment when tickets first when on sale last November. Once again showing how important it is to make an early booking when you want to stay in popular Bed and Breakfast accommodation such as Number 68.

Visitors travel to the destination of Milton Keynes from around the world, some on business and others for leisure, either to see family, friends or take in a show. It's almost two years to the day before the 2012 London Olympics open on 27th July 2012 - people living in the south east of England are lucky enough to be able to travel from home but those living outside of the region who might need a place to stay should really be thinking about which guest house or B&B to stay at and maybe even booking now to avoid disappointment!

This month has seen an equally prodigious rise in the number of hits and visitors to the Number 68 Bed & Breakfast website - some days show over 4,000 hits and as many as 120 visits each day! Would you believe that the most popular hour of the day for people to look at our B and B website is between 20:00 and 21:00 hours?

Although the MK International Festival has also drawn to a close this weekend, it's not too late for a "a voyage into a fairytale world on The Magical Menagerie" which is staying around until 8th August. Next to the centre:mk in a car park, near to The Point multiplex cinema, you will discover a huge, square carousel with rider operated mechanical creatures, including gigantic buffalo, exotic fish and brightly coloured insects.

Exceptional - Official!

2010-07-17T00:25:00.011+01:00

According to Booking.com, Number 68 Bed & Breakfast is rated as exceptional, with 9.7 out of 10 score awarded on average by their customers. Cheers everyone, thank you!

Across Bucks, Beds, Herts, Oxon & Northants only 3 places to stay have reached this extraordinary level of customer satisfaction, in fact no other establishment in any of the counties mentioned has bettered the score of 9.7!

Your hosts, David & Amanda, are delighted to have received so many generous comments from their B&B guests and look forward to making new friends or renewing old acquaintances when you come to stay!

These last 3 months have been very busy at this particular guest house, particularly with events taking place at Silverstone and the National Bowl, here in Milton Keynes. Sorry to everyone who we have not been able to fit in during this time. If you know your plans in advance, now's the time to start booking for Autumn, special event dates for 2011 are already starting to fill-up although we haven't had any enquiries for the Olympics in 2012 yet!!

Wish you were here?

2010-07-10T17:09:00.014+01:00

It's F1 Grand Prix weekend at Silverstone and once again there are no vacancies at Number 68 Bed & Breakfast, not even a stable for Mary & Joseph!

Across Milton Keynes, Stony Stratford, Wolverton, Buckingham and Towcester rooms are scarce and travellers needing a place to stay for the night are more likely to find somewhere available in Bedford or Dunstable.

The same scenario is true for 24th July when Prodigy play at the National Bowl, Milton Keynes. Rooms at Number 68 were snapped up within days of the tickets going on sale months ago and, at the time of publication, Daventry & Luton were the nearest towns with hotel beds available on some of the accommodation websites.

If only we had a £1 for every time someone made a telephone enquiry "I don't suppose you've got a room...." , we've passed enquiries on to anywhere we knew had space (including friends who live near the Bowl) but even that supply now seems to have dried up.

From 16 - 25 July the inaugural Milton Keynes International Festival will be running across 10 different central locations including a Big Top in Campbell Park, a former Sainsbury's supermarket store, car parks, shopping centres, the City Church and Station Square. The programme is going to kick off with a big bang on Friday, 16 July when musicians and pyrotechnicians join together in lively music, fire & fireworks spectacular. Another sign of the growing contribution which Milton Keynes continues to make at the centre of the Oxford/Cambridge arc.

There are those who choose to knock Milton Keynes and make fun of this new city (well it's not much more than 40 years old after all) but those who do come over for a visit are usually pleasantly surprised and impressed, especially if they have found somewhere nice to stay, run by friendly people who are happy to help you find your way around and get the most from your visit.

Don't just take my word for it check out Destination Milton Keynes or the guest comments page for Number 68 and then book a room now - we guarantee you wont be disappointed! Do choose your dates carefully when coming to Milton Keynes and you will be able to avoid the higher prices which accompany the dates with peak demand. Wish you were here?

A Full English breakfast is good for your health

2010-06-14T23:04:00.032+01:00

Breakfast - just think about that word for a moment.

Isn't the origin of the word "Break-fast", a reference to the time of day when you break the fast your body has undergone during the previous 7 or 8 hours of a good nights' sleep. A kick-start to your metabolism to literally help you hit the ground running for the day ahead. Don't skip breakfast is UK Government advice and eating breakfast can actually help people control their weight according to the Food Standards Agency.

Across the land, in hotels, guest houses and B&Bs you will find a fry-up on offer. What's a fry-up? Try bacon, sausages, eggs, black pudding and beans – it gives you a better start to the day than muesli or fruit, scientists say.

Those who stay for Bed & Breakfast at Number 68 have often commented on how much they enjoy their breakfast and although their are many popular choices on the extensive breakfast menu which is filled with organic, home-grown, home-made and locally produced items. The free-range eggs served daily day are found each week at the Country Market in Wolverton, right under the noses of Tesco and cheaper too!! It seems to be the homemade jams that provoke most comment - "jam like mother used to make" wrote one!

In some quarters, the "Full English" has been condemned as bad for the heart, despite being a traditional meal and a favourite of many guests who enjoy a breakfast feast at Number 68. Among the celebrity fans of the dish is Cheryl Cole's fellow Girls Aloud singer, Nadine Coyle, who says her “big weakness” is a good fry-up. And now a US team has discovered it has big health benefits. A fatty breakfast means people snack less during the day and will eat less at night.

But those who eat sparsely in the morning are more likely to gorge on fatty foods in the evening, say experts from the University of Alabama. Scientists found fried breakfasts help prevent a condition called metabolic syndrome, which leads to obesity and heart attacks. They went on to say that a fry-up before noon helps you maintain a normal metabolism.

The researchers say we should stick to the old saying: “Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a pauper.” Lead researcher Molly Bray revealed: “Nobody until now has undertaken the question of whether the timing of what you eat influences body weight. “And we have found it does.” She added: “If you want to efficiently respond to mixed meals across a day then a meal higher in fat in the morning is a good thing." This view has become increasingly recognised and reported.

Compared to most Bed & Breakfast or Guest House menus, Number 68 offers a really special breakfast menu containing much more than the traditional fried food fayre found in many a breakfast table. Among the other mouth-watering choices on offer, French Toast or Eggy Bread to some, (Thanks to USA guest Selwyn for the special cinnamon recipe and cooking techniques) and North American style pancakes with Canadian Maple Syrup. The best tasting buttery croissants this side of the Channel need nothing adding to them but you might be tempted to try a little of the local honey we buy from O'Dells, a really traditional hardware store in nearby Stony Stratford.

Of course there is always the question of which drink to accompany your breakfast - a variety of freshly ground beans served as Filter, Espresso or Cafetiere could kickstart your day or if no caffeine is required opt for the decaffeinated. If coffee isn't your particular cup of tea then there are more than 30 different speciality teas to choose from - for our long stay guests that means they can have a different tasting cuppa each and every day of the month!

We can recommend the tea and coffee from H.R.Higgins (Coffeeman) Limited, a specialist supplier of fine tea and coffee. Pop in to their Duke Street shop, just off Oxford Street near to Selfridges in Central London where they will be more than happy to give advice on choosing tea or coffee before you purchase or if that's to far for you to go, they have a website, full of information and ideas. They have gift boxes available for tea and coffee which you can send with your own specially worded message.

When you stay at Number 68 perhaps you can find out who has delivered coffee to Buckingham Palace?

The Times They Are a-Changin

2010-04-23T13:26:00.012+01:00

Who sang that, in what year? (Check the answer below **).

Why this title to the blog? Well, the answer to that one is that the bus times are changing all around Milton Keynes, in fact many of the routes are changing as well. If you can't find the information you need on how to get to Milton Keynes for your bed and breakfast stay at Number 68 an alternative source for much information about all things Milton Keynes is MKWeb, they have more links to provide you with the details about changes to bus routes and public transport links to Milton Keynes.

The 12/12E service has been withdrawn and replaced by bus route 7/7A; it's still a hail and ride service and can be caught just 100m away from Number 68 in Ardwell Lane, Greenleys. As you can see from the route, it's not going to be the most direct route to CMK and going by taxi will be always be quicker (no change there then!) but the new route can take you as far as Bletchley without the need to change bus.

The 7/7A, operating between Wolverton and Central Milton Keynes, goes by a new route taking in New Bradwell and Great Linford - no need to drink and drive when visiting one of the excellent canalside pubs serving Real Ale, such as The Black Horse or The New Inn. Closer to home, just 10 minutes walk is another canalside pub, The Galleon in Old Wolverton which serves food and offers a quick lunch menu as well dinner and BBQ.

Don't forget all the railway stations serving Milton Keynes either, apart from Central Milton Keynes, there is Wolverton (closest to Number 68), Bletchley and Fenny Stratford. You can check live departure information for Central Milton Keynes Station; Virgin inter-city services and an express coach to Luton Airport operate from Station Square.

If you are planning to arrive for your B&B stay at Number 68 by train and bus, the PlusBus tickets could be right up your street and to the end of ours! It's possible to buy a combined all-in-one ticket with unlimited bus travel in the urban area at the beginning and end of your journey - great value for money.

Without a car, if you want to travel around the region, North/South is easy by train but East/West is a little more of a challenge but by taking the X5 coach, Buckingham is 20-25 minutes, Oxford around 70 minutes and Bedford just 30 minutes. To plan your journey by bus or other mode of public transport visit Traveline Southeast.

** Bob Dylan, the title track of his album released in 1964.

Walk on by

2010-03-27T13:11:00.015Z

Thanks to the clocks springing forward tonight, the evenings will be lighter. Yes, we will lose an hour of sleep but doesn't everyone start feeling energised, full of the joys of spring as the daylight hours grow longer?

Continuing the walking theme of our recent blog, thanks to the Ramblers Association (Buckinghamshire, Milton Keynes and West Middlesex area) we can point you in the direction of a walking route via towpath, riverside, footpath and redway around Wolverton and into Central Milton Keynes.

Have you heard about the first Walking Festival of Milton Keynes? It is on from 30th April to 3rd May and will be organised by the Parks Trust (the independent charity that cares for the greens spaces and parks in Milton Keynes). A series of 20 guided walks are on offer to suit all ages and abilities with most of the walks being free.

There are a couple walks apiece around Stony Stratford and the Ouse Valley which form part of "Walk MK" - a selection of short walks across Milton Keynes, none are particularly onerous as this part of the region is not known for steep hills. Canal towpaths are always a good bet for those who want to go the distance without too much trouble on those calf muscles.

Is a pub essential to good walk? Well, you may need to stop off somewhere along route as a matter of convenience or simply have a refreshing drink to set you up for the next stage of your journey.

A central point in a local walk is the Galleon pub which has been up and running again for several months now. It's great to have another nearby option for eating and drinking within easy walking (staggering?) distance.

The Galleon is right next to the Grand Union canal and a handy stopping off point when you have been strolling along the banks of the River Ouse from Stony Stratford or taking the towpath route through Milton Keynes. The focus of the cooking on Friday evenings varies from week to week, this week it happened to be French and I understand Brazilian, Italian and Thai will be served in the weeks ahead. Live Music is also on the menu and on 27th March from 8pm "Two Jazzed-up" will be performing music described as being in the Jazzy Blues genre.

If you didn't realise already, Milton Keynes is new city with a very green heart - 20% of the area is made up of river valleys, woodlands, lakesides, parks and parkland! This figure proves the point that, despite having a reputation as city designed for the car, getting around on a combination of foot and bike (or even boat) is a viable alternative.

So don't walk on by, stay in comfort at Number 68 Bed & Breakfast, the place to B&B for a leisurely break in peace and quiet with all the comforts of home. The answer when looking for accommodation in milton keynes or a bandb in milton keynes is only a click away.

On the street where you live

2010-03-22T09:39:00.013Z

The classic Lerner & Loewe song "On the street where you live" from My Fair Lady may have been oh so different if Google Street View had been in existence back then! Now you can walk down the street where we live and check out the surrounding neighbourhood!!

Now the weather has improved and spring is sprung, it's time for a stroll around the city and countryside of Milton Keynes. Less than a mile on foot is the River Ouse and Grand Union Canal.

Thanks to Alan Dryer for this reflective photo of the River Ouse at Stony Stratford.

St Patrick's Day has been and gone, St George's Day will be soon be here on April 23rd, a day which is fast becoming an unofficial public holiday.

Why don't you take the day off work, make a long weekend of it and join one of the increasing number of celebrations and festivities as the English try not to leave all the flag waving and fun to the Irish, Scots & Welsh!

When you need a place to stay for a relaxing long weekend then visit the Number 68 Bed and Breakfast website which has been updated to include a "check availability" button - it's never been easier for to book those dates for your Milton Keynes visit.

A circular walking route takes you through England's first railway town - Wolverton, home to the "Wolverton Works" and Royal Train. In August this year, the Works will be hosting an open weekend for the first time in 17 years giving locals and visitors from further afield a rare opportunity to see inside.

Walking along the Grand Union Canal brings you to the Bradwell windmill, about 3 miles from Number 68, depending on the route you take! The windmill was built nearly 200 years ago in 1817 which is somewhat more recently than the Roman Villa, the remains of which are about a mile further on in Bancroft - after almost 2,000 years there's not a lot of it left as you might expect but the informative display fills in the gaps very well!!

A collection of Roman artifacts and mosaic flooring from the villa are now housed in Milton Keynes Museum where you will also find the National Telephone Collection and the nation's last steam tram which ran between Wolverton and Stony Stratford.

That's not all of course, the museum has period shops, farming and industrial exhibits, a Victorian house and school room - so much history and heritage for all generations to either discover or remember.

The fax number for your favourite guest house has changed to +44 (0) 8719 1877 68, the telephone number remains unchanged +44 (0) 1908 221090

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A toss up?

2010-02-13T16:07:00.005Z

Is it a toss up trying to decide where to stay for a special bed & breakfast experience, how do you find a place to stay where the welcome will be just as warm as you hope the room is going to be?

If your business or leisure plans lead you to Milton Keynes you are assured of a warm welcome and service with a smile when you book Bed and Breakfast at Number 68, close to Wolverton & Stony Stratford with Central Milton Keynes just a few minutes away (10 by car).

After a good night's sleep on a comfortable bed, in a clean room, enjoy a breakfast that will start your day off well and set you up for the day ahead. If you have the time, sit a while at the breakfast table and enjoy another cuppa as you converse with other guests and your host - you might not feel like leaving!

You can choose what to eat for your breakfast from an extensive menu, your eggs will be cooked as you want them, not the raw or rubbery mess found on some breakfast plates elsewhere! Whatever you choose, it's not going to disappoint you according to the comments of the many satisfied guests who have stayed there.

It's Pancake Day every day according to the Number 68 Bed & Breakfast Menu - is it USA/Canadian style maple syrup and bacon for you or the more traditional British Pancake Day presentation of lemon juice and sugar?

The World famous Olney Pancake Race is held every Shrove Tuesday in the market town of Olney, the traditional home of the original pancake race for more than 500 years and this year the race takes place on 16 February.

Prodigy to play National Bowl Milton Keynes

2009-10-27T14:26:00.005Z

On Saturday 24th July 2010, The Prodigy will headline with their biggest ever solo show in the UK. Pendulum, Enter Shikari, Chase and Status, Does It Offend You, Yeah?, and Radio 1 DJ Zane Lowe are all on the bill as "Special Guests" of the Braintree based dance trio.

Picture source nme.

Tickets are due to go on sale on 30th October 2009 from the credit card hotline on 0871 2200 260 or online at http://www.gigsandtours.com/ or http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/.

Demand for accommodation will once again be high as tens of thousands of fans descend on Milton Keynes for the weekend. Number 68, the ever popular Bed & Breakfast is located about 4 miles north of the National Bowl, with easy access by road along the A5 or on foot, walking along the network of Redways, (a combination of footpath & cycle route).

Autumn secrets to discover in Milton Keynes

2009-09-22T11:39:00.006+01:00

As summer has a final flourish, leaves are already falling from fruit trees and inevitable thoughts are turning to autumn and there is no better time to take a look at the secrets of Milton Keynes and North Buckinghamshire!

If Milton Keynes is an Enigma to you perhaps you need to stop for a moment, relax and think - take a walk in the peace and quiet of the green countryside which is around and about MK. Just off Junction 14 of the M1, is Willen Lake & Park, home to the "Peace Pagoda" and nearby a Buddhist Temple, both are open throughout the year.

Woburn, Stowe and Bletchley are all within a few minutes drive of Number 68 Bed & Breakfast, an ideal place to stay while making a tour of a wartime code-breakers' HQ, exploring the house and grounds of a classic stately home or two. Just a few of the ideas for an autumn weekend in the heart of England.

Bletchley Park, the historic site of secret British code-breaking activities during WWII and birthplace of the modern computer, had up to 1200 people working away in secret and finding somewhere for them all to stay was a difficult task! There are different activities and exhibitions to entertain and inform throughout the day - wartime toys, working computers, a wartime mini cinema and an outstanding Churchill collection and the ornate Victorian Mansion, headquarters to intelligence staff during the War. The weekend is the best time to visit, more of the exhibits are open and you may find other special events taking place. Entrance tickets are valid for 12 months - great value!

Hundreds of Wrens were billeted nearby at Woburn where, many years later the 13th Duke of Bedford established the world-famous safari park which sits alongside the 3,000 acre deer park. Any one for Afternoon Tea? This very English tradition is said to have been started around 1840 by Duchess Anna Maria, wife of the 7th Duke of Bedford, who entertained her friends in the Blue Drawing Room at Woburn Abbey - you can enjoy your very own Afternoon Tea in the Duchess’ Tea Room.

Capability Brown was once Head Gardener nearby at Stowe where the landscape gardens are now part of the National Trust. 40 monuments, temples, nooks and crannies are set among ornamental lakes, wooded valleys and spectacular views along the miles of walks and trails through the gardens and surrounding parkland.

Enjoy a B&B breakaway this Autumn in Milton Keynes at Number 68 Bed and Breakfast where these are just a few highlights that are within a short drive of your accommodation.

See you soon!

Bathroom with power shower

2009-08-26T11:55:00.007+01:00

Well here it is! The bathroom blues have been banished forever - or should it be the bathroom pinks if you have stayed here before?!

The Stannard Suite, on the ground floor at Number 68 Bed & Breakfast has been improved (was that possible?) with an "upscale" Ensuite Bathroom!

Now you and the ducks can relax among the bubbles of a sparkling corner bath or when you need to wake-up fast, duck under a great power shower.

With a new illuminated bathroom mirror and shaving socket, the daily grind just became easier and certainly clearer!

There's never been a better time to splash out and enjoy yourself at Number 68 - blog readers, mention this article and you will be able to enjoy an extra-special bathroom pamper pack for your stay.

Splash out somewhere new this summer

2009-08-14T09:13:00.012+01:00

The new ensuite bathroom for the Stannard Suite is going to be finished today.

Don't worry if you think the corner bath is no more - it's still there! Sorry to all those who liked pink (Isabelle that's you!) but the new suite is white.

A great power shower has been added so now you can choose to relax with bubbles at the end of a hard day's shopping and sight-seeing or shower with power to kick-start your day!

Check back again soon for the latest pictures when we have tidied up and made the room ready for our next guests. If you forget to pack your favourite rubber duck when you come to stay at Number 68 Bed & Breakfast, don't worry, there will be at least one waiting here for you to share the bath with!

Nothing to do in Milton Keynes?

2009-08-11T09:44:00.015+01:00

It's so easy to be active in MK, walking in 4,500 acres of parkland with more than 22 million trees set in beautiful parks, ancient woodland, new plantations and tree-lined boulevards. Take it easy with a gentle stroll or cycle ride along the towpath of the Grand Union Canal which links the old towns of Wolverton, New Bradwell and Fenny Stratford into newer developments alongside the towpath. Shopping, sport, leisure, culture, history and many more pleasures to experience are awaiting you in Destination Milton Keynes, home of Xscape, the UK's top visitor attraction in 2007.

There will never be a better time to explore Milton Keynes than 10/13 September when Heritage Open Days will be taking place throughout the area. Come and see for yourselves, travel around for FREE on a vintage double decker bus and visit the events and activities in museums, parks and other venues - all with FREE ADMISSION.

Willen Lake, that's the one you see when heading towards Central Milton Keynes from Junction 14 of the M1, is once again home to the National Jet Ski Finals on 5/6 September but if skiing or boarding is more your cup of tea, then a visit to Milton Keynes for the Quicksilver Snowboard Big Air Championship or the Quicksilver Freeski Big Air Championship, taking place at SNO!zone in Xscape is the place for you.

Number 68 Bed & Breakfast was fully booked for the weekend of the F1 British Grand Prix but please check availability for future race days at Silverstone, including the British Touring Car Championship on 29/30 August 2009, the British Superbike Championship on 26/27 September 2009, the Britcar 500 on 4/6 October 2009 and the MotoGP set to run for 6 June 2010.

At Bletchley Park, home to Station X and the Enigma Codebreakers, the Annual Enigma Reunion will take place on 5/6 September celebrating the 70th anniversary of the arrival of Alan Turing and Gordon Welchman.

From Number 68, it's just a couple of miles to the boundary of Milton Keynes Unitary Authority and Northamptonshire, then a few more North along the A5 to Towcester (claimed to be the oldest town in Northamptonshire) but today famous for the racecourse which hosts 19 National Hunt races each year from October to May.

What's that in the sky? Is it a bird, is it a plane? No, it's a balloon! Up, up and away (which brand did that song advertise?) - the annual Northampton Balloon Festival will be running this year 14-16 August. You really can't say there's nothing to do, find out what's on.

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Milton Keynes for England

2009-07-26T15:53:00.006+01:00

Here at Number 68 Bed & Breakfast, we have signed up to support England's bid for the 2018 or 2022 FIFA World Cup and Milton Keynes has a great chance of being a host venue.

Please will you, your family, friends and fellow fans sign up too. Show the world what we already know - that we're passionate about football, bringing the World Cup to England and Milton Keynes. The Football Association and those backing the bid need your help to hit the 2 million supporters target.

Milton Keynes is 1 of only 15 cities to have declared an interest in taking part in the World Cup, should England's bid be successful. Come and check out the stadium:mk for yourself, it has already hosted several international football matches and is home to Milton Keynes Dons, winners of the Johnstone Paints Trophy and League 2 Champions in 2007-08.

Not everyone in your party wants to look around the stadium or watch a game of football? They can enjoy the nearby retail attractions of the largest European Asda-Walmart and the adjacent Ikea - it's easy for someone to pass a couple of hours while others enjoy the football.

If, after travelling to MK for shopping or visiting one of the many popular leisure attractions on offer in Milton Keynes, you are looking for somewhere to stay, for just one night or a short break, then look no further than Number 68, a bed and breakfast with a first class, 5 star reputation.

Stay somewhere special this summer

2009-07-10T15:10:00.009+01:00

Not booked your holiday yet? Wondering where to go this summer?

Why not have a look around the "Things to Do" page on the website for Number 68 Bed and Breakfast in Milton Keynes and get some great ideas.

There you will discover places to visit of history and heritage in Milton Keynes.

Number 68 is less than 15 minutes walk from MK Museum, with things for all the family to do, as there are all year long in MK - on land, water, snow, ice or even up in the air.

Visit Destination Milton Keynes to find something for everyone to enjoy, without needing to break the bank.

How about cycling along the towpath of the Grand Union Canal, you don't have to hire a boat to meander through Milton Keynes and get a different view on new city life. Take a stroll along the banks of the River Ouse as it threads it way through the countryside on its way from Stony Stratford to Old Wolverton, it's all just a few minutes walk away from Number 68.

Jog or ride along the network of "Redway" routes, dedicated to cyclists and walkers or spend the day at the historic Bletchley Park, the site of secret British codebreaking activities during WWII and birthplace of the modern computer. Of course, there is always shopping to do with hundreds of places to spend time and money at thecentre:mk, described as the place for serious shopping!

Our website is packed with suggestions on what to do and see, plus news of some forthcoming unique events. So bag yourself a great holiday break this summer, stay in comfort and relax at Number 68 B&B as you enjoy a few of the many things Milton Keynes has to offer.

It's a Musical Life

2009-06-29T13:51:00.007+01:00

Away from the B&B, it's a musical life for David playing the role of a "martini" pianist - that means playing the piano any time, any place, any where! After recently playing for special occasions, some happy (weddings) some sad (funerals) and some spectacular - accompanying the Milton Keynes Music Service Gospel Choir in the Gala Concert at MK Theatre there is still a lot to fit in before the end of this summer term!

Firstly, from Musicmakers MK, the company that last year brought "Bond meets Phantom" is singing for you about "The Rhythm of Life", a collection of wonderful songs from a selection of different musicals from My Fair Lady to the Lion King, and classic ballads from Buddy holly, Leonard Cohen and many others. The script has been written by Richard Duncombe, the music is directed by Malcolm Crane and choreography by Cath Bromley. There are 2 concerts to choose from, both starting at 7.30 pm - on 4 July at Knowles Junior School, Bletchley and then up the A5 on Sunday, 5 July to the Town Hall at Towcester. Tickets can be obtained from 1st Night, 35 Vicarage Road, Stony Stratford, Tel (01908) 262250, online at www.mmmk.org or on the door if you want to risk them not selling out!

Into Sondheim present "Tom Foolery" featuring the words, music and lyrics of Tom Lehrer on 9/10 July at the Usher Theatre in Leon Arts Centre,

Bletchley,The Into Sondheim creative team directing the musical are Dianna Moylan (Director) and David Meek (Musical Director). The Usher Theatre is a new venue within the Arts Centre at Leon School & Sports College; it is ideally suited for such an intimate show but the number of tickets available is limited. Tickets purchased in advance are priced at £9.00 (£7.00 concessions) or £10.00 on the door.

To book call 01908 310742 or buy online.

Silverstone Bed and Breakfast in Milton Keynes

2009-06-15T12:52:00.011+01:00

Every day we are getting enquiries for accommodation this weekend, 19-21 June (it's the F1 British Grand Prix at Silverstone) but we have no vacancies - bookings for this date started the very next day after last year's race! Silverstone is just 20 minutes drive from Number 68 and although the home of British motor racing may be hosting the F1 race for the last time (thanks Bernie!) the race track also hosts many other events on the motorsport calendar.

Recently we were able to accommodate a number of Italian guests who drove over for Mini-United, in their Minis, to take part in celebrating 50 years of the Mini car. Coming up is the Silverstone Classic, a 3-day celebration of motoring excellence, covering eight decades with possibly Europe's largest gathering of classic racing cars brought together for "a weekend of classic racing and entertainment".

Hoping to spot the future F1 drivers? Visit Silverstone on 15-16 August and sample the British F3 Championship - it was good enough for current F1 leading driver, Jensen Button; children under 15 get in for free! There is a family room and a double/twin plus single room option which has a special Silverstone family rate available if you mention this blog offer when booking.

If you want to get on track and test yourself and/or your vehicle, Silverstone also gives you the opportunity to do this. Closer to home in Milton Keynes there is the Daytona Motorsport option, you can book individually or in small groups to race in a variety of events on 1 of the 2 tracks.

Motorsport is just one of the reasons for a bed and breakfast stay in Milton Keynes - put yourself in pole position and relax at Number 68.

As Johnny Herbert said, "driving in a Grand Prix is like sitting inside a 200mph tubular vibro-massage machine for an hour and a half, while simultaneously working with weights in a gym." Having personally spent 45 minutes racing around the Daytona track recently, I can believe that!

On your bike! Cycling in Milton Keynes

2009-05-10T23:17:00.008+01:00

The warm weather is back! It's time to get on a bike and enjoy the freedom of cycling through the Ouse Valley & Milton Keynes.

Number 68 Bed & Breakfast offers either secure over-night storage for guests arriving on bikes and those who bring bikes with them or there are two bikes available for you to borrow if you fancy a ride alongside the River Ouse or one of several circular trails.

Design your itinerary over a day, a weekend or even longer. As a couple or with friends or family, follow the secure, signposted trail along traffic free redways (cycling & pedestrian routes) tracks, paths or country lanes in and around MK. The Millennium Trail offers the pleasure of discovering the natural, cultural and historical heritage of MK and North Buckinghamshire. Find all practical information to prepare your trip at http://www.mkweb.co.uk/cycling/DisplayArticle.asp?ID=53907

The MK cyclists' touring club also has lots of useful advice and routes for visitors, they run a regular ride on the first Sunday of each month when you can find out just how easy it is to ride around MK and the surrounding areas.

Later this month, the first ever "Tour Series" starts off from Milton Keynes; this follows on from MK's successful hosting of the "Tour of Britain" in 2008. Saxon Gate and Midsummer Boulevard will be partially closed to hold the racing, adjacent to the CBX and the City Church. There will also be a number of special cycling activities to take part in or watch.

With National Bike Week coming up soon in June, look out for even more cycling activity - details of some future cycle challenges are provided by Milton Keynes Council.

As Amanda found when out on her bike earlier in the year, the hardest thing about riding a bike is the ground! And finally, as Mark Twain is believed to have said, "Learn to ride a bicycle. You will not regret it if you live!"

BBQ @ B&B

2009-05-01T18:09:00.008+01:00

It's official, spring has sprung and according to the Met Office long-range forecasts, there is a warm dry summer on the way with 'odds on for a barbecue summer'.

Have they got that right or did they mean 'odds on for a summer barbecue'? Just one this year would be nice and that would be one more than last year....

How can you take advantage of the expected summer temperatures in Milton Keynes which are "likely to be warmer than average" and maybe even drier with rainfall near or below average for the three months of summer?

One way is to enjoy breakfast on the patio as you sit in the sun or the shade and if your stay coincides with Wimbledon fortnight, the home-grown strawberries are normally ready to be picked and eaten by then; try them with pancakes, as part of the special 68 fruit salad or mixed in a smoothie.

If you really want to enjoy what Milton Keynes has to offer, have a look at our "Things to do" page or go to Destination Milton Keynes for a host of hot things to do on a short-break.

Ramble through one of the many areas of parkland where you may even stumble across the concrete cows, stay cool and chill on the real snow slope of Xscape, gently stroll along the towpath or hire a boat and cruise the Grand Union Canal, from Bletchley to Cosgrove. Number 68 is just a few minutes walk away from a lake, river or the canal.

You can't cruise the Bedford & Milton Keynes Waterway yet - it hasn't been built! Plans are afoot to create this new canal linking the River Great Ouse at Bedford with the Grand Union Canal at Milton Keynes.

Even with the new canal and a reinstated Milton Keynes to Buckingham canal, Milton Keynes will still be quite a few canal miles short of Venice or Birmingham but when it comes to cycle routes, the "redways" of Milton Keynes are streets ahead of anywhere else. This unique leisure network for cycling and walking across MK is now approaching 200 hundred miles (300 km). A number of 12 - 15 miles circular cycling trails exist and details are available from MKWeb.

Whatever your level of activity (or inactivity!) and whenever you visit Milton Keynes, you can be assured of a warm welcome at Number 68!

Breakfast for Harry, England & St George,

2009-04-23T17:25:00.011+01:00

Well I'm not writing about Harry Redknapp as he's the manager of my least favourite football team but I am wondering what would be considered a traditional English breakfast, eggs (fried?), sausage (plain old pork?), bacon (streaky, smoked?) and what else? Tomatoes, mushrooms, black pudding, hash browns, perhaps even scrambled or poached eggs instead of fried? What do you think?

Let us know if you'd like to see our Breakfast menu or make your suggestions for your favourite breakfast dish. While questions are being asked, here's another - are Saint's days only good for everyone else? For starters, March 17th is for the Irish (and lots of other people who believe that they are Irish at heart) to celebrate all things Irish on St Patrick's Day with displays of shamrock, wearing of the green, drinking Guinness and parading. Is it a national holiday? Of course it is!

As for the Scots, they celebrate all things Scottish on Burns Night on or around 25th January and just a few years ago they gave themselves a Statutory holiday for St Andrew on 30th November. That's in addition to Hogmany on 2nd January - what's that all in aid of? Getting over some excellent New Year celebrations which they seem to do better North of the border?

Now don't forget the Welsh, on 1st March you'll find people displaying daffodils or maybe wearing a leek to help celebrate the life of their patron Saint, David and the Red Dragon flies high and proud but they haven't, as yet, declared the day a statutory holiday, perhaps it is the historical English influence?

If the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu and London Mayor, Boris Johnson, are backing a day of celebration on 23rd April, don't you think we all deserve the opportunity to join in with the special events on the day?

The Archbishop held a party for local children to mark St George's Day and said that he thought it was wrong the English did not really recognise the day, "I would love this to be a day of dedication, that we will help those who are struggling within our country - help them like St George would have done", the Archbishop said.

Fly the flag of St George and England, show your support for a holiday to celebrate our English heritage and the day of our patron Saint George. Maybe next year we can all dress up, join in or watch the Morris Dancers, enjoy a plate of Roast Beef and wear a red rose, after all lots of people manage to wear or display a red nose for Comic Relief!

BTW, did you wonder who Harry is? Well, at Number 68 Bed and Breakfast, as well as people coming to stay in the house, we get visitors in the garden - a variety of birds, squirrels and one other very special visitor who helps to keep the slugs and snails in check; he's a hedgehog and he's been nicknamed Harry! Harry does have a friend or two to help him and the thrushes do their fair share of the work as well - everyone enjoys the organic home-grown food on offer!

Happy Easter!

2009-04-10T15:21:00.008+01:00

April is the start of the social season for many with weddings, christenings or maybe a day at the races to enjoy at nearby Towcester racecourse. This Easter at Number 68 we have a house full of guests, all tucking into Hot Cross buns and some specially prepared, home-baked fruit bread.

‘Hot cross buns, hot cross buns, one a penny two a penny hot cross buns,’ as the street vendors used to sing in the days of Queen Victoria and the sweet, spiced and fruity buns are a special treat for breakfast this weekend.

Well, is it the time you've been waiting for? A perfect excuse to put aside the diet and enter chocolate heaven with an assortment of Easter eggs. But what does Easter mean to you? Eggs, Bunnies, Bonnets?

Eggs have long been associated with Easter celebrations going back to ancient times when the egg was a symbol of fertility and new beginnings.

Back in the Middle Ages, eggs were given colouring to show the sunlight of spring. One of our guests this weekend is from Germany where it's traditional to paint eggs green (!) and eat them on Maundy Thursday. Apparently Greeks & Slavic people dye eggs red to symbolise the blood of Christ.

Among the usual historic attractions from local industry, agriculture, retail and telephony, the Milton Keynes Museum is hosting an Easter Egg Hunt this weekend.

Bunnies (baby rabbits) are used as symbols at Easter & like eggs, they represent spring as well as the idea of new life. See how may chocolate bunnies are in the shops now, not yet as popular as chocolate eggs though.

In Germany and some other places (e.g. U.S.A.) children are told to expect a visit from the Easter Bunny who will leave them eggs or other small gifts. In the UK the Easter Bunny is seen as often as Father Christmas!

It was, once upon a time, a tradition to buy a new piece of clothing to wear church on Easter Sunday, buying a new hat was straightforward (how many ladies need a new hat for a wedding?!) and this is where the tradition of the Easter bonnet originates from. Where is your local Easter Bonnet competition this year? Thanks to Destination MK for information about ours!

Milton Keynes this Easter - home to the Eggscape building!

From 4 - 19 April there are events each day, from 12-6pm, Free Art & Craft Workshops, puppet shows, story telling as well as the mythical and mysterious forest in the centre of Xscape, Apparently throughout the malls you can stumble across Stilt Walkers (if they don't stumble over you first) Human Tables and even Snake Handlers! If you fancy an Easter break then Number 68 Bed and Breakfast is your place to stay in MK while enjoying some of the many eggstra holiday things laid on!

Spring has sprung

2009-03-27T23:46:00.007Z

2009 is already nearly a quarter gone! The snow finally disappeared and now, following a week of sunshine and no rain, the cherry trees are blooming marvellous, the first dove has hatched from the old nest in the recycled hanging basket and the grass has been cut!

If you are looking for a place to stay in Milton Keynes, a real home from home where your hosts welcome you with a smile and look after you throughout your stay, then your destination just has to be Number 68. See what the guests who have stayed there have written here, they weren't disappointed.

Want to know what Milton Keynes has on offer? Information on what to do and where to go is available at the MK virtual office, Destination Milton Keynes including Xscape, the number 1 tourist attraction with more visitors in 2007 than anywhere else in the UK.

The joys of spring

2009-02-16T11:39:00.008Z

As the last few snow patches melt away, we are increasingly looking forward as each day is getting longer, the green shoots are rising and the birds are nesting - already!

There is work to be done around the garden but the doves are back on the nest - what else can you do with an empty hanging basket at this time of the year? As you can see from this picture taken last year, there's no place like Number 68, a home from home for this young pair of "lovey doveys".

The Big Thaw

2009-02-10T19:10:00.003Z

Although we had snow falling again on Sunday and Monday evening as time has been passing each day the snow is turning to slush, leaving water standing on the surface around the garden beds of Number 68.

Driving around MK in places today it was still possible to get stuck in the melting snow of back street and residential areas, after a bit of digging and some pushing eventually the car was free and sliding normally!

The system of wet and dry balancing lakes running through MK are doing their job and no flooding is expected as water run off continues to accumulate before heading out. The gardens of Number 68 are usually at their best in late Spring and early Summer; with a bit of luck and a fair wind the worst of the winter weather is now coming to an end - the green shoots of bulbs will be bursting into life and Spring will be here with us before too long. (Fingers crossed!)

2009-02-05T20:54:00.003Z

After the snow fell overnight and everyone had eaten breakfast it was time to get out and about.
Looking down Church St from the High Street, Stony Stratford

The Old Court House, Market Square, Stony Stratford

St Mary and St Giles Church Tower, Stony Stratford

Snowy Brook, Tombs Meadow, Stony Stratford

The garden's all white at Number 68 Bed & Breakfast

Photos taken by David Meek, 5 February, 2009. If you wish to use any of these images please contact the copyright owner bandb@number68mk.co.uk

A Place in the Snow

2009-02-05T16:18:00.008Z

Oh the weather outside is frightful, But the fire is so delightful

And since we've no place to go, Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!

So wrote lyricist Sammy Cahn and composer Jule Styne, so apt for today. Stuck in the cold with no place to go? Come and stay in the warm with us at Number 68 Bed and Breakfast.

After breakfast, with all this snow, work is off the menu today so how about going outside for some fresh air? A walk through the crisp snow is the order of the day, across the fields, along the banks of the River Ouse, around the interesting and historical town of Stony Stratford.

Not deep but crisp and even

2009-02-03T09:07:00.006Z

Snow has been falling across England and that includes Milton Keynes but here at Number 68 the white blanket has not been as heavy as expected.

It's been worse elsewhere though, someone went to Birmingham by train yesterday and there were no trains running south towards London to bring her back to her nice warm room in MK! It was also not a good day to be working outdoors so other guests checked in early before going to the local carvery at Wolverton House for their great value £3.50 dinner, the drinks aren't expensive either.

Buses were still running around MK late yesterday although I did pass one which appeared to be broken down at the side of the road. With no more snow overnight there seems to be a slight thaw going on, the sun is shining but our local residential road and paths are not completely clear of snow; it's still slippery under foot and wheel!

Everyone was spending longer in bed, tucked up in the warm for as long as they could before deciding that they really should try to get into work today. There was no great rush to leave the breakfast table this morning, more tea anyone?

B&B - Bed and Breakfast at its best

2009-01-04T16:58:00.002Z

Baby it's cold outside!!

Want somewhere warm & friendly to stay?

Well then, this Bed & Breakfast is the one for you! It's where you will want to stay in and return to, again and again - Number 68 in Oxman Lane, close to both Stony Stratford and Wolverton and less than 10 minutes from Central Milton Keynes.

Central MK is home to the business district, shopping (thecentre:mk & Midsummer Place), MK Theatre, Gallery and Xscape. Number 68 is also handy for Hanslope Park, near to Newport Pagnell, within walking distance of Wolverton Mill and convenient for Kiln Farm but in reality, anywhere you will need to go in Milton Keynes can be easily reached within a 15-minute car journey.

Not enough shops for you in CMK? Ikea is less than 10 minutes away and, a bit further afield, you can pick up designer outlet bargains at Bicester Village. But MK is much more than just shopping, it's got a special, unrivalled mix of leisure activities all within the new city or within an easy drive.

Sample a range of different horsepowers at Daytona Karting, Towcester or Silverstone. The Universities of Buckingham and Cranfield are about 20 minutes by car and the Open University, closer still. For the more active walkers, cyclists & golfers there is plenty of interest in and around MK.

Number 68 is ideally situated for a visit to Bletchley Park, Woburn Abbey and Stowe Landscape Gardens; Stratford on Avon in the Heart of England, Oxford and Cambridge, the Cotswolds and London - they are all no more than an hour away as are visits to historical and heritage sites such as Althorp, Blenheim Palace, Waddesdon Manor.

Guests say that Number 68 is much more than the average B&B with standards that beat many hotels they have stayed in; they describe it as the best bed and breakfast because of our comfortable beds in well-equipped relaxing rooms, a great Breakfast menu to choose from, fantastic hospitality with helpful and friendly customer service.

Whatever the reason for your stay in MK - be it work, rest or play - Number 68 will prove to be your first choice. It is a high quality B&B experience where the goal is to exceed your expectations so don't be disappointed elsewhere! Although not the cheapest, guests are consistently more than happy to stay and return to Number 68. Make contact now by telephone on +44 (0) 1908 221090 or send an email to bandb@number68mk.co.uk