How to get to The National Bowl MK by train
From £6.80* from London Euston, beat the pre-gig rush and take the train to The National Bowl . Whether you’re heading to an open-air concert from renowned music artists or a multi-day festival, London Northwestern Railway offers hassle-free transport via Milton Keynes Central.
We operate direct trains from London Euston to Milton Keynes Central, with services also connecting Birmingham New Street, Coventry, Rugby, Northampton, Bletchley, and Watford Junction.
Onward travel from the station
Once you arrive at Milton Keynes Central, The National Bowl is a 30-minute walk along Route 51 via the Redway pedestrian and cycle path directly from the station. The National Bowl also runs shuttle services for major events and festivals, so check online for your specific event and book your shuttle pass in advance.
Alternatively, local taxis take approximately 8 minutes from the station.
Journey information
London Northwestern Railway runs up to 5 trains per hour from London Euston to Milton Keynes Central on our new Class 730 trains, with fares starting from £6.80 for an Advance Single - one of the best value ways to make this journey by rail.
Our journey time from London Euston to Milton Keynes Central is approx. 55 minutes, and Milton Keynes Central station is a 30 minute walk from the National Bowl.
Stations
Milton Keynes Central (MKC)
Address:302 Eldergate
Milton Keynes
Buckinghamshire
MK9 1LA
Milton Keynes Central station information
| Staffing level | Part time |
|---|---|
| CCTV | Yes |
| Information systems |
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| Station operator | London Northwestern Railway |
| Ticket office opening times | All Ticket Vending Machines are located in the Booking Hall. Peak demand is 0700-1000 1630-1830 Mon-Fri
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|---|---|
| Pre-purchase collection | Yes |
| Ticket machine | Yes |
| Smartcards issued here | No |
| Validate Smartcards here | No |
| Penalty fares | LM |
| Customer service information | Please contact our Contact Centre team on: 0333 311 0006. Who are open during the following times: Monday to Friday: 07:00 - 19:00 Saturday and Sunday: 08:00 - 16:00 Bank Holidays: 08:00 - 16:00 except Christmas Day and Boxing Day **Milton Keynes Central is accredited by the Secure Station Scheme** |
|---|---|
| Left luggage | |
| Lost property |
| Seated area | Yes
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|---|---|
| Waiting room | The waiting room facilities at Milton Keynes Central will be locked out of use until further notice. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause to your journey.
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| Trolleys | Yes
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| Station buffet | Coffee shop Coffee kiosk Food vending machine |
| Toilets | The toilets are located on 1 and 3. The National key toilets are located on the Main Concourse (operated by a RADAR key), Platform 1 and Platform 3. A RADAR key is available from station staff upon request. Passengers in possession of a RADAR key can access the toilets at all times. The toilet facilities are available: Monday - Sunday 05:00-23:00. |
| Baby changing facilities | Yes
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| Wifi | |
| Post box | Yes
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| ATM machine | Yes
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| Shops | Convenience store Passport Photo Booth |
| Helpline | We want everyone to travel with confidence. That is why, if you are planning on travelling on national rail services, you can request an assistance booking in advance - now up to 2 hours before your journey is due to start, any time of the day. For more information about Passenger Assist and how to request an assistance booking via Passenger Assist, please click here . 0800 0248 997 24 hours, 7 days a week (except Christmas Day and Boxing Day)
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|---|---|
| Staff help | This station is staffed part time. This means that during 'staff help available opening times' your assistance will be provided by station staff. Any other time, our on-train Conductors will provide your assistance onto the train.
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| Induction loop available | Yes |
| Ticket machine | Yes
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| Accessible booking office counter available | There is an accessible Ticket Office window on the main concourse. The counter on this window can be lowered to help wheelchair users and other customers. |
| Ramp for train access available | Yes
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| Accessible taxis information | Accessible taxis are available |
| Accessible public phones | Public telephones are accessible - situated on the concourse and at the front of the station outside the main entrance |
| National Key toilets available | Yes
|
| Step free access | This station has been classified as a step-free access category A station. This means that this station has step-free access to all platforms. More information on the step-free classification system can be found at https://www.orr.gov.uk/media/10955 The assistance meeting point is at the ticket office during available opening times. When station staff aren't available, the assistance meeting point is on the platform that your train is due to depart. When the train has arrived, please attract the attention of a staff member onboard, who will help you to board the train. |
| Ticket gates | Yes
|
| Impaired mobility set down available | Accessible parking bays. |
| Wheelchairs | Wheelchairs are available at this station |
Milton Keynes Station Car Park
| Car park 1 | Station Car Park |
|---|---|
| Car park 1 operator | SABA UK |
| Car park 1 spaces | 549 |
| Car park 1 opening times |
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| Car park 1 charges |
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| Car park 1 contact details |
https://www.sabaparking.co.uk/car-park/milton-keynes-central-station-car-park |
| Onward travel | Information to plan your onward journey is available in a printable format here |
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| Cycle storage available | Yes |
|---|---|
| Cycle storage spaces | 900 |
| Cycle storage sheltered | Yes |
| Cycle storage CCTV | Yes |
| Cycle storage location | Front of station |
| Cycle storage types |
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| Cycle hire | Yes. Just out side the station operated by Santander Cycles. More information can be found at santandercyclesmk.co.uk |
| Rail replacement information | *For rail replacement this Easter, buses will be operating from Elder Gate. Click here for a directional video to Elder Gate. * Rail replacement vehicles will operate from Bus Stops Y1 & Y4 in the bus station, outside the main station entrance. (Please note: during disruption or engineering works, vehicles may instead operate from alternative bus stops or Elder Gate) Please check your destination before boarding. Please click here for walking directions from the station to the rail replacement bus stop. Please click here for a directional video to the rail replacement bus stop. |
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| Taxi rank |
Departures and arrivals from Milton Keynes Central
Key events at The National Bowl
Plan ahead for your travel to The National Bowl’s major annual music and culture events, including:
- Reggae Land: This three-day sell-out reggae festival has made The National Bowl its home in recent years, held at the beginning of August and hosting the biggest names in reggae.
- Electric Paradise: A brand-new day festival celebrating disco, funk, house and soul across multiple stages.
- Year-round concerts and live events: The National Bowl hosts a calendar of live music and culture events throughout the year, including world-renowned touring artists and performances.
Top tips for travelling to The National Bowl
- Book in advance: Book your train travel to The National Bowl up to 12 weeks ahead and take advantage of our advance fares for specific event arrival times.
- Travel off-peak: Our off-peak tickets offer cheaper fares and are valid Monday to Friday for trains departing London Euston after 9:15 and all day on weekends and bank holidays.
- Save on group travel: Attending a concert at The National Bowl as a group? Save 1/3 with our GroupSave discount, automatically applied for groups of 3-9, or save up to 26% when travelling in groups of 10 or more by completing our group booking form .
- Keep your phone charged for your day out: Our new Class 730 trains are equipped with plug sockets at every seat, so you can keep your phone fully charged and ready to record your favourite artists on stage.
- Plan around the last train: Event days can end late, so check live train timetables and plan around the last train home
What should I do if my concert at The National Bowl finishes late?
If your event at The National Bowl is on late, be sure to keep an eye on our live departures board so you don’t miss the last train home.
Advance tickets are only valid for the service stated on your ticket, so if you miss this train, you will need to purchase a new ticket.
When is the last train home from Milton Keynes?
Your last train will differ depending on your destination. Use our journey planner to check times before you travel.
For London-bound services, the last London Northwestern Railway train from Milton Keynes Central to London departs at approximately 23:46 and services resume at 3:30.
Which train station is closest to The National Bowl?
The closest LNR train station to The National Bowl is Milton Keynes Central, with direct services running from many key cities, including London Euston, Northampton and Birmingham. From the station, passengers can then either walk along the Redway pedestrian and cycle path to the venue, book onto a dedicated shuttle service for major concerts or take a taxi directly from the station.
How long does it take to get from Milton Keynes station to The National Bowl?
After arriving at Milton Keynes Central Station, concert-goers can walk for 30-minutes along the Redway pedestrian path. For a faster option, local taxis take around 8 minutes, depending on traffic.
Dedicated express shuttle bus services run for specific events throughout the year and have pick-up points at the station. For shuttle bus timings, check online for more information on your specific event.
Is alcohol allowed onboard LNR trains to The National Bowl?
To ensure everyone has a comfortable journey with us, we sometimes restrict alcohol on board our trains, especially on trains running to major concerts and festivals at The National Bowl. Our staff also reserve the right to stop passengers from boarding if they appear to have had too much to drink.