Bletchley

About

First recorded as Blechelai back in the 12th century, the market town of Bletchley,
as it is now known, is a thriving urban area with a rich history.

Once just a small hamlet, Bletchley’s population and stature increased when its railway station, situated on the main west coast line, became a major Victorian junction, bringing people and trade into the area. The town also stands on Watling Street, an old Roman Road (now the A5), one of the most important travelling routes from London to the north and the Grand Union Canal passes to the south of the town; Fenny Lock in Fenny Stratford is the smallest canal lock in the country.

Thus the area has a strong industrial history due to its excellent transport links.
During WW2, Bletchley Park was the secret home of the famous Enigma codebreakers and to the world’s first semi-programmable computer, Colossus. The site still exists today as a museum dedicated to their important work which helped to shorten the war by up to two years, saving many thousands of lives. The Bletchley Park Trust holds many events during the year exploring life during wartime.

The heart of Bletchley is its shopping area of Queensway, named after the Queen when she visited Bletchley in 1966. This traditional high street offers a mix of high street stores and traditional shops. Also based in the town is Milton Keynes Dons Football Club at their new 30,000 capacity, state-of-the-art stadium in Denbigh.

Bletchley offers many nature areas to discover including the Blue Lagoon Nature Reserve, the River Ouzel, the West Bletchley Sensory Gardens and the canal. You’ll find many traditional, local pubs along the way to stop and enjoy a quick drink or a bite to eat.

With the West Bletchley Carnival taking place in June and attracting 20,000 visitors to the town, the Midsummer Madness Carnival, the Fenny Poppers (an unusual tradition dating back to the 1700s where six cannon are fired on certain celebration days), the Street Market and many other events taking place throughout the year, you’ll never be short of something to do in Bletchley.