1 / 2Milton Keynes City Discovery Centre
📍 Milton Keynes, South East
Historic Bradwell Abbey features a rare standing pilgrimage chapel with medieval wall paintings. Regular access is sparse to gardens and interpretation boards — full abbey access requires attending scheduled events.
🏆 Funzaroo Verdict
Worth a visit specifically on Heritage Open Days or medieval fair days when the chapel and full abbey are accessible and the site comes alive with activities. A standard visit outside events yields gardens and boards only. Check the event calendar before travelling — the Discovery Centre building itself is primarily administrative.
ℹ️ What to Know Before You Go
💬 What Families Are Saying
View all reviews →46 Google reviews
G Reviews from Google
Joanna x
a year ago
“A large group of us came here last month for a guided tour and a walk around as part of our monthly meet up walks and we came here in January, we had a guided tour round the abbey and inside the buildings of the abbey and the church. Which was very awesome! It was very interesting too, I sure have learned a lot by visiting this venue. I love the colourful sculptures best and the musical bench which is nearby! But I had noticed more statues and sculptures nearer to the abbey, it was interesting indeed and we all enjoyed it ☺️”
SR (Firehorseart)
a year ago
“Latest visit was on a Heritage Open Day. Lots of people in period dress, a well attended archery area, various stalls, plus a few snack stands, and the chapel was open. The chapel is only open for special events like this, so it's worth checking before you go if you want to see inside when you visit. Other demos and live entertainment were scheduled through the day but I only saw the last hour.”
Rafa Lobo
2 years ago
“We have had a very entertaining fun day at this place, there was a medieval fair with a bit for everyone, for the kids and grownups, all fun.”
💬 What parents mention
Overview
Bradwell Abbey preserves the remains of a Benedictine Priory alongside a rare medieval pilgrimage chapel containing contemporary wall paintings. The site runs hands-on educational programmes covering prehistory through WWII, guided abbey tours, and periodic events including medieval fairs with archery demonstrations, period dress, and food stalls.
