Now known across the world - Milton Keynes is where Bletchley Park is to be found. Perhaps you've seen the film "The Imitation Game"? Some of it was filmed there - but if you visit you can see Alan Turing's office - and the mansion itself.
The Roman road which we now know as "Watling Street" runs through the city. In fact it runs at the end of Furzton - and through the town of Stony Stratford. There are the remains of a large Roman villa in the estate of Bancroft (which I love visiting) - not very far from the concrete cows. Other villas have been unearthed as archaeologists gained the opportunity to discover the city's ancient history before the developments went ahead. I live just yards from an iron age settlement and bronze age; iron age; Roman; and medieval remains have been uncovered across the city.
When Edward IV died, the crown was inherited by his young son. It was in Stony Stratford that he was met by his uncle, who was to become Richard III, and taken into "protective custody". A sign on a house commemorates where
they met. Stony itself is full of historic buildings.
The area played a key role in the transport history of England - and as well as a Roman road; there is the canal and the railway. Wolverton works was an important place for building and repairing railway stock.
The villages that sat in the countryside which was used for the new city remain - though are hidden from the hidden roads. Loughton; Milton Keynes (the original village); Shenley Brook End and Shenley Church are just some of the delights to be discovered.
Newport Pagnell played an important role in the English Civil War of the Seventeenth Century.
Over this summer I will be revisiting many of these places - and along with book research - will have lots of materials to post on this blog.
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