Located in Milton Keynes, the town of Bletchley became famous as a key location and pivotal player in World War II for breaking German communication code.
Home to Bletchley Park, where Alan Turing and his team broke the German Enigma, this picturesque town offers a perfect day trip from anywhere in the country.
Without giving too much away, this little town has historically held so many secrets due to the part it played in World War II. One intriguing fact about Bletchley, is that the telegraph communication lines during the Second World War were disguised in chicken coops.
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It goes without saying that most people know the name Bletchley, due to Bletchley Park — an English country house and estate known for being the centre of code-breaking during World War II. This beautiful mansion housed the Government Code and Cypher School (GC&CS) during the Second World War, where a team of codebreakers including Alan Turing worked to break the secret communications of the German Enigma.
Now open to the public, visitors can enjoy interpretive exhibits and huts have been rebuilt to appear as they did during wartime operations. Adult admission costs £23.40.
Also on the site is the National Museum of Computing, which includes a working replica Bombe machine, which was the machine responsibility for breaking the German Enigma, and a rebuilt Colossus computer. The museum is also recognised as one of England’s top 100 ‘irreplaceable places’ and admission costs £10 per adult.
Bletchley is also home to the Blue Lagoon Lake and Nature Reserve. Located on the site of a former brick works, the park has a network of ponds and covers 116 acres. The park is home to a variety of wildlife include badgers, bats, grass snakes, great crested newts, butterflies, damselflies, dragonflies and over a dozen bird species.
Places to eat
In addition to multiple fast food chains and restaurant chains, Bletchley also has some great independent restaurants and pubs.
One pub, The Three Trees, boasts a menu of classic, home cooked British food from fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
Alternatively, there is The Greedy Italian, which serves traditional Italian heritage food but with a modern perspective. They also have a great range of wines and drinks which are all served in a relaxed and inviting atmosphere. The Greedy Italian itself is located in a 19th century building which retains a wealth of original features.
Places to stay
In Bletchley itself you can find a range of guest houses and hotels. One of the hotels is a Hilton featuring connecting rooms perfect for families and a fitness suite.
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Alternatively, a short drive away is Bragenham Farm. The farm has an Eco Glamping Pod, which has a two night minimum stay, with prices starting at £125 per night in the low season and rising to £140 per night in July/August.
All other units including a military trailer, a shepherd's hut and a wagon are £85-£95 per night depending on season. Camping is also available at the site, if you are looking for something even cheaper.
Getting there
Bletchley has its own rail station which makes it quite accessible, and with Bletchley Park only an five minute walk from the station there is no excuse to not travel there via train.
Trains from London Euston take Bletchley station only takes 35 minutes. Birmingham to Bletchley takes just over an hour and from Manchester it takes just under two hours.
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